Dr. Maria Fernanda Trujillo

1965 - 2022

Trujillo

Dr. Maria Fernanda Trujillo

Of Silver Spring, MD. Dr. Maria Fernanda Trujillo, an accomplished technology thought leader, engineer, academic, mother, daughter, sister and citizen of the world died April 13, 2022 at age 56.



She was born to Carlos Trujillo and Adiela Mendoza De Trujillo on October 23, 1965 in Bogota, Colombia. After growing up in Cali, Colombia, Maria received her Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering from La Universidad del Valle. Before traveling to Scotland to earn her Master's in Artificial Intelligence at University of Edinburgh, she traveled the European continent performing with a Colombian Folk Dance group.



After returning home, Maria was the only female member of a small technical team that brought the Internet to Colombia where she earned the nickname "La Chica del Internet"



Maria earned a PhD in International Development from Tulane University.



Maria worked for a number of organizations that worked in the international development, technical management and education fields, most recently for Manhattan Strategy Group. She was especially passionate about her work in the global south, specifically in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. She was a citizen of the world, helping to further peace and economic equality wherever she went.



She is survived by her husband, Ian Gallanar of Silver Spring, MD, two children Martin Yepes of Baltimore, MD, Aura Gallanar of Silver Spring, MD, a step-daughter Isadora Gallanar of Boulder, CO, her parents Carlos Trujillo and Adiela Mendoza de Trujillo of Cali, Colombia, siblings Dr Monica Trujillo and husband Dr. Elliot Wilson of Buderim, Queensland, Australia and Luis Edwardo Trujillo of Crystal City, VA along with 11 nephews and nieces, and many loved tios and primos.



There will be a public "Celebration of Life" event in May, yet to be scheduled. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to The Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research.