THE NÁNTHEA COMMUNITY
The Nánthea Community is the human ecosystem that shapes and gives meaning to the Foundation, composed of people from diverse fields, backgrounds, and roles who share the same understanding of football, community, and social transformation.
It brings together different levels of participation: ROOTS, the people who support the project through experience, commitment, and long-term engagement; CORE, the core team that drives the project day to day; LEAVES, a network of key profiles who support the foundation’s development; and PARTNERS, collaborating companies.
ROOTS
Natalia Astráin
Natalia is a UEFA Pro licensed coach, holds a USSF Pro License, and works as a professional analyst and TV commentator. She is a former coach of FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, and the U17 team in the USA.
“I believe in NÁNTHEA Foundation because I believe in a kind of football that transforms lives, both on and off the pitch.”
Rafael Hernández
Rafael holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Public University of Navarra (UPNA) and a degree in Psychology from the International University of La Rioja (UNIR). He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Management and in Sports Management, as well as training in Psychodrama.
He brings over 30 years of experience in management roles within the wind energy sector. He is the former president of Divo Racing Club, Club Deportivo Iruña, and Club Deportivo Iruña Voley.
“For me, NÁNTHEA Foundation represents the opportunity to apply my knowledge and experience through a meaningful project that seeks, through education, behavioural change, and values, to humanise football and provide players with a safe and supportive environment for both personal and athletic development. It also represents a personal journey that connects me with my essence and the legacy I want to leave.”
Mercedes Lezaun
Mercedes is a pedagogue, psychotherapist, trainer, mediator, and coach.
“For me, NÁNTHEA Foundation represents the opportunity to support teenage girls through sport and provide them with the guidance they need during such a critical stage of their development. It also allows me to apply group psychology approaches that foster their growth, cohesion, and biopsychosocial well-being.”
Yolanda Rodríguez
Yolanda is a librarian at the Public University of Navarra and currently heads the Document Access Office. As a volunteer, she serves as Secretary of the Dunia Musso Association, an NGO working on sexual and reproductive rights and the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in Guinea-Bissau.
She is also Secretary of the Qili Foundation and President of the Coordinator of Women’s and Feminist Organizations for Equality in Navarra (COMFIN).“My motivation for collaborating as a board member of NÁNTHEA Foundation comes from my belief that the strength of girls and women will transform the world and sport is one of the ways to achieve this. I love football, and I know that the work of NÁNTHEA Foundation will be essential in building a community of young girls who will become the driving force for the change that football so greatly needs.”
Benjamín Rosende
Founder of RDT Engineering, Benjamín promotes a vision of engineering as a driver of both personal and collective transformation. Through RDT a leading company in innovation, technology, and talent he works to ensure that engineers enjoy their profession and develop innovative solutions in partnership with clients.
“I share with NÁNTHEA the values of equality, respect, trust, and teamwork key elements in both individual and collective personal and professional development, and equally essential to our company’s mission.”
Marta Santarén
Extensive experience focused on supporting people and developing talent from a human and relational perspective.
She currently works in organizational environments related to people management, leading processes around well-being, culture, and growth with a conscious and committed approach.
CORE
The foundation’s team is made up of professionals who, from their respective areas of expertise, work in a coordinated manner to ensure the development of the project. The Communication area is composed of Ana, Iker, Leyre, and Oihane. Institutional Relations are managed by María. The Financial area is the responsibility of Itziar. The role of Child Protector falls to Jon. Training Coordination is led by Iosune. Finally, the support as Sports Coach is provided by Esther. A committed team that, from different fields, drives each of our initiatives.
This team is growing, and we will soon have more members.
Itziar Arcelus
Experiencia profesional en el ámbito de las operaciones y el control de producción en entornos industriales. Actualmente trabaja en Siemens Energy, desarrollando funciones de Production Controlling dentro del área de operaciones, con foco en eficiencia, planificación y mejora de procesos.
Esther Casals
Trabajadora social con experiencia en la intervención y el acompañamiento social. Actualmente desarrolla su labor en contextos profesionales vinculados al apoyo a personas y colectivos, trabajando desde una perspectiva comprometida, cercana y orientada a la mejora de las condiciones de vida.
Iosune Pérez
Oihane Aranaz
LEAVES
The Advisory Team is made up of individuals with experience across different areas connected to the world of football and players’ development.
Through their expertise and personal commitment, they provide an external, informed, and constructive perspective that strengthens the foundation’s strategic decision-making.
They share our vision, believe in what we do, and are involved because they feel the project as their own helping us move forward together.
Patricia Amigot
Lydia Muruzábal
PARTNERS
