Carmen N. Portela has spent more than 25 years connecting tourism, conservation and local economic opportunity, helping communities shape tourism and share in its benefits.
The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) honoree founded Local Guest, a social enterprise through which she co-created more than 30 community-based tourism experiences with entrepreneurs, artists and environmental organizations in Puerto Rico. These experiences brought residentsā knowledge and creativity into the tourism economy while connecting visitors with local communities.
As executive director of FundaciĆ³n Amigos de El Yunque, the official nonprofit partner of El Yunque National Forest, Portela led educational, cultural and community programs linking conservation with economic opportunity.
She also advanced the Community Interface Resource Management Area, known as CIRMA. Formalized through a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Forest Service and partner organizations, the initiative established a framework for shared stewardship and participatory planning across eastern Puerto Rico.
Portela later developed Local Guest Collective, a consultancy connecting tourism, conservation and local economic development. Recent assignments include an alternative tourism supply chain analysis for El Yunque National Forest and El Toro Scenic Byway with Cornell University and the U.S. Forest Service.
Her work also includes the Circular Food Waste Management in Caribbean Tourism project, partnering with GIZ, Huffnagle Ventures, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.
Today, Portela serves as justice and equity coordinator at GreenLatinos, supporting community-led environmental initiatives and equitable access to resources and opportunities for historically underserved communities across the United States, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
Throughout her career, she has remained focused on helping residents shape the decisions affecting their communities and their futures.
The 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser is powered by platinum sponsor the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, with gold sponsors the Anguilla Tourist Board, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Carnival Corporation and Tropical Shipping.
Major sponsors include the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, Marketplace Excellence Corporation, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Additional sponsors supporting the cause include Coco Palm (St. Lucia), Comfort Suites Paradise Island (Bahamas), Fond Doux Eco Resort (St. Lucia), Jade Mountain (St. Lucia), Ladera Resort (St. Lucia), Mount Cinnamon Beach & Wellness Resort (Grenada), Grupo Puntacana (The Westin Puntacana Resort), Round Hill Hotel and Villas (Jamaica), Secret Bay (Dominica), The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Tortuga Rum Company, Tropical Attractions and Vanessa James Media.
ļ»æProceeds support educational programs, youth development initiatives and professional training designed to empower the next generation of Caribbean tourism and media leaders.
For more details, visit cmexmedia.org.
