Consular Conversations: Luncheon Interview with the Consul General of Honduras

Global Atlanta’s monthly Consular Conversations series sponsored by Miller & Martin PLLC continues as the editorial team interviews Maria Fernanda Rivera Fiallos, consul general of Honduras in Atlanta.

Potential topics of discussion: 

• Ms. Rivera’s day-to-day responsibilities
• Honduras as a manufacturing/sourcing destination
• Georgia-Honduras trade and investment ties
• Efforts to improve public safety in Honduras and throughout the Northern Triangle
• Effects of U.S. immigration policy changes

The format:

• Catered light lunch with soft drinks
• One-on-one conversation with the Global Atlanta editorial team, followed by an audience Q&A
• Discussion covered by Global Atlanta and published in a later article

Our speaker: 

Maria Fernanda Rivera is a communications specialist with a broad experience in Project Administration and Public Relations for Government and Political Institutions. She currently serves as Consul General for Honduras in Atlanta, representing the Honduran government and ensuring the wellbeing of all its citizens residing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Maria was born and raised in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications and Advertising. She began her diplomatic career at age 23, as the Economic Adviser for Honduras in Atlanta where she acted as executor of the National Investment Promotion Plan (2010-2014) and liaison between the Honduran Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Ministry of the Presidency, and various influential companies and entrepreneurs of the area. Being promoted to Vice Consul in January 2011, she expanded her activities to issues of immigration and human rights but maintained a focus on the Supportive and Productive Remittance Program, an initiative of the Honduran Government designed to promote community development and poverty eradication through the organization of immigrants abroad and the channeling of resources to their areas of origin. She held the post for three years until she was appointed Consul General in July 2014.

In 2011, Maria was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Congressman John Lewis for her outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Always in search for knowledge and new skills to assist her nationals, she has continued her studies obtaining her master’s degree in International Commerce, a Certificate in Latin American Culture as well as other certifications in domestic violence, human trafficking and immigration relief for the immigrant community.