The LAC Digital Unit

Michel Kerf serves as the World Bank’s Regional Practice Director for Digital in Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe and Central Asia Regions, supporting governments in advancing their digital transformation agendas. He brings over 25 years of World Bank experience to the role. Prior to his current position, Michel Kerf served as Division Director for Central America and the Dominican Republic, overseeing a portfolio of 62 projects worth $7.6 billion. He has also held positions as Country Director for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands and as Transport Practice Manager for East Asia and Pacific Region.

A Belgian national, Michel Kerf graduated in Law from the University of Liège and holds a Master of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics. He has taught as Visiting Professor at the University of Liège and at the College of Europe in Bruges, and is the author of several publications on concessions, privatization, and competitiveness of infrastructure services.

Yolanda Martínez serves as Practice Manager for Digital in Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank, leading efforts to accelerate digital transformation across the region. A Mexican national, she brings a solid track record in digital transformation at subnational, national, regional, and global levels.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Yolanda Martínez served as Program Lead for the GovStack Initiative at the International Telecommunications Union, assisting governments in expediting the digital transformation of their services. She also headed the Office of the Inter-American Development Bank in Chile. Within Mexico’s public sector, she spearheaded the National Digital Strategy and oversaw the Digital Government Unit as National CIO.

Yolanda Martínez holds a degree in Information Technologies from the University of Guadalajara, a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Ph.D. in Information and Knowledge Society from the Open University of Catalonia.

Joseph (Stig) Trommer is a Senior Operations Officer at the front desk of the Regional Director for Digital in Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe and Central Asia Regions, where he supports the advancement of digital transformation, public sector modernization, and governance. He brings more than thirty years of World Bank experience to the role.

His accomplishments include leading large-scale lending operations in Honduras and the Dominican Republic, coordinating digital and governance projects, and securing substantial trust fund resources to support transparency, climate initiatives, and public service improvements. Stig Trommer has directed multidisciplinary teams through complex operational situations, driving innovation in project development and execution, with a focus on institutional reform, digital government services, independent accountability mechanisms, and centers of government. 

Luciano Charlita is a Senior Digital Specialist who serves as one of the unit’s focal points for Brazil, bringing extensive experience in digital and economic development to the role.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Luciano Charlita served as Senior Regulatory Specialist at the National Telecommunications Agency of Brazil, where he dedicated his career to advancing sustainable digital development and fostering strategic partnerships across the public and private sectors.

He holds a PhD in Economics and Development Sciences from the University of Hiroshima.

Niccolò Comini is a Senior Digital Specialist in the Digital Unit for LAC, acting as focal point for the Southern Cone, Mexico, and Colombia. He focuses on competition and regulatory issues in the ICT and digital industries in emerging countries, and has led projects advising governments on 5G network deployment, data infrastructure, and digital platforms businesses.

Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Niccolò Comini worked at the OECD in Mexico City and Paris as a competition expert, authoring several publications. He also worked in the Chief Economist’s Department of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority and in the Economic Consulting team of Deloitte in London.

Niccolò Comini holds an MSc in Competition and Market Regulation from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics and an MA in Law and Economics from the University of Bologna.

Marolla Haddad is a Senior Digital Specialist and focal point for the Caribbean countries. She is a regulatory economist with thirteen years of experience in the policy and regulatory reform of the telecoms and ICT sector in developing and emerging markets, and has worked for over four years with the World Bank’s Digital team on analytical and operational projects in the LAC, MNA, Africa, and ECA regions, with a particular focus on FCV countries in the MNA region.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Marolla Haddad was a policy analyst in the Market and Competition Unit at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Lebanon, where she led and supported the formulation and implementation of policies and regulations for promoting competition and investment.

Marolla Haddad holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Princeton University and a Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the American University of Beirut.

Bernard Myers is a Senior Digital Specialist at the World Bank’s Kingston office, where he acts as one of the unit’s focal points for the Caribbean countries. A United States national, he joined the World Bank in 2000 following a career as an overseas budget advisor for the United States Treasury’s Office of Technical Assistance and as a senior evaluator for the United States Government Accountability Office on federal budgeting issues.

Prior to his current position, Bernard Myers worked in the Kuala Lumpur office, leading work on public finance management, and before that led the bank’s public sector team in Indonesia, managing engagements on budget management, tax administration, and accountability. He also spent several years supporting countries in Europe and Central Asia, specializing in public investment management, performance-based budgeting, budget planning, budget execution, civil service reform, and functional reviews of public administration.

Bernard Myers holds an MBA from Stanford Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Economy from Princeton University.

Julián Najles serves as Senior Digital Specialist based in Brasilia, acting as one of the unit’s focal points for Brazil. He brings an extensive background in project management and international affairs to the role, with areas of expertise spanning corporate social responsibility, international cooperation, democracy promotion, international relations, and corporate communications.

With a long-standing tenure at the World Bank Group, Julián Najles is deeply networked within the international development community.

He holds a BA in Political Science and Government from the University of Buenos Aires and a Master’s degree in Policy Management from Georgetown University.

Diana Parra is a Senior Digital Specialist and one of the Digital Unit for LAC’s focal points for Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, and Honduras, driving digital transformation efforts across Latin America and the Caribbean. She brings over 25 years of experience in government innovation to the role, having held significant national leadership roles in digital transformation initiatives in both Colombia and Uruguay.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Diana Parra served as Client Development Advisor for Digital Government Transformation at McKinsey & Company, where she honed her expertise in turning complexity into practical, measurable change.

Diana Parra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, a Specialization degree in Business Administration from Universidad Sergio Arboleda, and a Master’s degree in Digital Business from Universidad Internacional La Rioja.

Axel Rifón is a Senior Digital Specialist at the World Bank’s office in Lima, Peru, where he serves as focal point for the Caribbean and Andean countries. He brings over ten years of international experience in public sector and digital development to the role.

Prior to his current position, Axel Rifón worked at the World Bank’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at the World Bank’s office in Kenya. He joined the organization in 2012 and has since supported operations related to connectivity and digital services across Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Axel Rifón holds a degree in Law and Political Science from the Carlos III University in Madrid and a Master's in International Business Administration from the Spanish Institute of Foreign Commerce.

Maribel Dalio is a Digital Specialist at the World Bank and focal point for Central America and the Andean countries, dedicated to improving digital infrastructure for human development. Her work is situated at the intersection of public management, strategic planning, and digital development, contributing to initiatives that strengthen the capacity of governments to serve their citizens more efficiently.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Maribel Dalio worked for two and a half years as a full-time consultant at the Inter-American Development Bank in the Connectivity, Markets and Finance Division. Before that, she served as Digital Development Senior Advisor for the presidency of Argentina.

Maribel Dalio holds a BA in International Relations from Universidad Católica de Córdoba and a Master’s Degree in Management Development and Leadership from the Universitat de Barcelona.

Enrique Moreno is a Digital Analyst and secondee from the Spanish Institute of Foreign Commerce, supporting the unit’s business development activities throughout the region.

Prior to this role, Enrique Moreno served as International Trade and Investment Advisor at the Trade and Economic Office of the Embassy of Spain in Greece, supporting Spanish companies in their internationalization process through economic analysis, partner identification, and strategic advisory work. Before that, he gained experience in the private sector as a Business Intelligence Consultant at Scalian Group, developing automated data solutions and quality controls for banking clients.

Enrique Moreno holds a double degree in Computer Engineering and Business Administration from the Universitat d'Alacant and an MBA in International Management from Menéndez Pelayo International University and ICEX Spain.

Gustavo Murillo is a Digital ET Consultant at the World Bank Group, contributing to the organization’s efforts to advance digital transformation in developing economies. With close to four years at the World Bank Group, he supports digital development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa, with a focus on enhancing Digital Public Infrastructure and digital safeguards.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Gustavo Murillo worked in Mexico as a Program Manager at Accountability Lab, where he led a campaign that “names and fames” honest public servants to shift norms and change behaviors within public institutions. He also designed the accountability strategy of Oxigeno2030, an initiative born out of the COVID-19 pandemic that granted internet access to thousands of young people through partnerships with Mexican universities.

Gustavo Murillo holds a Degree in International Business from Universidad de Sonora and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University.

Aliaksandra Tyhrytskaya is a Digital ET Consultant specialized in legal and policy issues, bringing more than eight years of experience in international development, digital governance, data protection, and evidence-based policy for sustainable and inclusive economic development. She leads regulatory and policy initiatives on digital infrastructure across Latin America and the Caribbean, with contributions spanning major lending operations and technical assistance programs in the Caribbean and West Africa, as well as global knowledge products.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Aliaksandra Tyhrytskaya practiced law as an attorney and in-house counsel in both the public and private sectors, managing litigation and compliance. She also served as legal researcher for the Library of Congress, as legal advisor on a UNHCR project providing expertise on international law, and engaged in civil society and advocacy work focused on women's economic empowerment.

Aliaksandra Tyhrytskaya holds advanced law degrees from Columbia Law School and the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota.

Zaid Faris is a project management and financial analysis specialist with over fourteen years of experience at Iraq’s Ministry of Finance. As a secondee, he supports the GUIDE LAC regional initiative and the Knowledge 360 initiative.

Throughout his tenure at Iraq’s Ministry of Finance, Zaid Faris has played a central role in shaping national fiscal strategies, preparing government budgets, and advancing major economic initiatives in collaboration with domestic and international partners. His contributions include key work on the White Paper reform initiative and long-term participation on the Mid-Term Budget Strategy Committee. He has represented Iraq’s Ministry of Finance in high-level engagements with institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, and USAID on fiscal reform, economic development, and international cooperation. Earlier in his career, he worked with international companies including GE and Siemens, strengthening his cross-cultural communication and coordination skills.

Zaid Faris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English art and translation.

Kelena Tapa is a Tuvaluan public finance and administration professional with over a decade of experience in national budgeting, public financial management, and development partner coordination. As part of the LAC Digital Unit, she engages specifically in the unit’s efforts in Brazil.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Kelena Tapa served as Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, contributing to policy implementation, public financial management reform, performance management, and high-level stakeholder engagement. She previously served as Director of Planning, Budget and Aid Coordination, leading four core units responsible for national planning, budgeting, aid coordination, and monitoring and evaluation. Her earlier roles include Senior Budget Adviser and Budget Adviser.

Kelena Tapa holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of the South Pacific.

​Annette Sybill serves as Program Assistant for the unit, bringing to the role a strong foundation in administrative support within major international development organizations.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Annette Sybill spent nearly eight years as Assistant at USAID-Haiti, where she provided full-time, on-site administrative support in a demanding operational environment.

She holds an Associate’s degree from Christ The King Secretarial School, where she received her professional training.

Enric Vall is a Digital Consultant in the Digital Unit for LAC, where he has supported lending and non-lending operations across Central America, the Caribbean and the Andean Region, through research and analysis. He has also contributed to the execution of trust fund initiatives, business development efforts, and internal initiatives such as the LAC Digital Innovation Challenge.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Enric Vall served as International Trade and Investment Advisor at the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain, focusing on e-commerce and aerospace.

He holds an MBA in International Management from the Spanish Institute of Foreign Commerce and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Universitat Pompeu Fabra.