Francisco Chapela-Mendoza is an agronomist. He holds a Ph.D. in natural resources economics and is a rural planner advocate of devolving Indigenous and rural communities their role as stewards of nature. Since 1980, he has been a technical advisor and ally of Indigenous and rural communities and their organizations, helping develop their ideas about how to achieve a Good Life or Buen Vivir. Over the last 20 years, Francisco has led programs to support and enhance the stewardship role of Indigenous and Rural Communities and organizations with international institutions, such as The World Bank, Rainforest Alliance, and the Christensen Fund. He has authored and co-authored more than 50 publications about natural resources management, forest management, institutional design and natural resources management policies. Francisco is a member of Estudios Rurales y Asesoría, the International Association for the Study of the Commons, The Forest Stewardship Council, and the International Society of Tropical Foresters.