Copptech | Women's History Month

Copptech Celebrates Women

At its core, Women’s History Month is about inclusion. We honor women who have paved the way and those who continue to make strides.

Join us throughout March as we celebrate the achievements of women – at Copptech and across our partner network.

Let’s #EmbraceEquity!

At Copptech we believe there should be a gender-equal world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Together we can forge women’s equality. We can collectively #EmbraceEquity and the power it gives us.

Women who Power Copptech and its Partners

“I’ve always had a passion for

content marketing.”

“I’ve always

had a passion for

content marketing.”

A communications major in college, Chrissy says she fell into marketing almost by accident. Her goal to make a career in public relations led her to a PR internship with the San Diego Chargers during training camp. She continued on that path with a PR internship with the New Orleans Saints, where Chrissy says she realized the kind of full-time PR jobs she dreamed of just weren’t opening up. So eventually, she accepted a marketing coordinator position with the Arizona Cardinals. Shortly before training camp, the team lost their website manager/journalist, and Chrissy was asked to step-in and help report on the team’s practices and preseason games — a position that eventually became permanent. “I’ve always had a passion for content marketing, so that dual marketing role with the Cardinals was kind of a happy accident and really allowed me to find my niche.”

Today Chrissy is Marketing Lead for Copptech’s partner company, Purra Performance. She credits her success to her work ethic – which she says she got from her parents and grandparents. “My family is key for me. They’ve been hugely supportive.” And while she enjoyed her time with the NFL, which gave her the opportunity to travel around the country, she knew once her siblings started having children, she wanted to stay in one place. “It’s all about finding balance. I wanted a fulfilling career but didn’t want to miss out on my nieces and nephews, and I wanted to be here for my parents.”

Claudia Duran has always been curious. From a young age she had a calling to investigate, to scientifically explore the world around her. As a result, Claudia became a research and development professional dedicated to improving the quality of the objects we use every day. For the past 8 years, Claudia has been transforming innovative ideas into reality as a Senior Researcher. She sees projects from their early conceptual phases all the way through to product launch. “There is always someone at Copptech willing to listen to you, someone to see the feasibility of your crazy idea. And if your crazy idea is not so crazy after all, there is a possibility to implement it.”

Reflecting on women who inspire her, Claudia says, “I deeply admire the effort that women make in everyday and professional life, on a day-to-day basis. The infinite capacity to do twenty thousand things at the same time is an absolutely feminine ability.” By excelling in her job and raising her daughter, Claudia demonstrates how staying true to your own curiosity benefits all.

“Work hard, make good decisions, and value family time as well.”

María Inés Camparini understands the value of work ethic. In Guatemala, she transformed her passion for art into a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design before moving to New York to complete her Masters Degree in Computer Art. As a Graphic Designer for Copptech, she applies her creative expertise to create a wide range of marketing products both for Copptech and its clients. “I’ve been working at Copptech for just over 2 years,” she explains, “and my job is to help our partners understand how our antimicrobial technology improves products of all kinds.”

According to María, her mom has been her biggest supporter both in life and in her career. “My mom has always been my role model. She is a feminist who worked in Guatemalan politics improving education, creating environmental laws, and advancing our government. She paid for my education in Guatemala and again in New York. And I think that is the best kind of support you can receive to succeed in your career.” Her mother’s impact on María’s values is clear: when asked what advice she’d offer her younger self, María says, “Work hard, make good decisions, and value family time as well.”

“All professional women you meet are balancing responsibilities to their careers and families.”

Andrea Bucher is an architect by trade. When she first learned about Copptech, she was intrigued by how its antimicrobial technology can integrate with architecture, construction, and the spaces we inhabit. Andrea joined Copptech as an Account Manager, working with major clients in Latin America to integrate Copptech products into the buildings and environments we navigate every day. Today, she works with partners from a wide variety of industries helping them explore how they can use antimicrobial technology to improve the products we use every day. “Copptech is a company that has solutions for all markets. The protection and innovation we offer is very versatile.”

In her free time, Andrea is an avid athlete. She plays hockey and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. She admires women for their ability to juggle many responsibilities at the same time. “My mom is the most inspiring woman in my life. She always worked while raising the four of us. She was there whenever we needed her. Today, my sister and I do the same for our children. And the truth is, all professional women you meet are balancing the same responsibilities to their careers and families.”

“As long as you’re happy, you’ll be good at what you do.”

Andrea Olivares joined the Copptech team a year ago after building her career in foreign trade and logistics. With more than 30 years of experience in global trade, Andrea’s expertise in all aspects of international shipping, product exports, and sales helps Copptech deliver their antimicrobial technology to customers across the globe. Andrea’s continued success in her field reflects her belief that people should pursue their dreams. She says, “As long as you’re happy, you’ll be good at what you do.”

Outside of the office, Andrea spends her time volunteering and serving her community. “I really like helping people. I’m always collecting and delivering things to people who need them.” In this way, Andrea takes after her mother, the woman she says inspires her most. “I admire my mother for the traits I see in most women. Women are fighters. They work to support their families, defend people, and help others.”

“Getting into the lab is like entering my own playroom. It is my favorite place.”

Ninoska Tudesca is fascinated by the universe and all it has to offer. At 16, she met a Chilean scientist named Ruby, who studies microorganisms trapped in arctic ice. From that moment, Ninoska knew she was destined to be a scientist herself: “Microorganisms, formulas, test tubes, white coat, it was like a dream.” She began working in Copptech’s lab as a Microbiology Analyst 8 years ago, shortly after the company launched. Describing her career at Copptech, Ninoska says, “It’s like an amusement park. Some days are down (when we have to read and read, investigate and investigate) and some days are up (when we start analyzing). But getting into the lab is like entering my own playroom. It is my favorite place.”

In addition to microbiology, Ninoska finds joy in astronomy, literature, music, and art. She thanks her mother for being a pillar of support throughout her career, saying “Almost everything I am, is thanks to my mom. My mom is super resilient and I think she implanted that idea in me.” The resilience, shared by mother and daughter, is best summed up by Ninoska’s personal motto: “Never give up.”

“When you work for a company that invites creativity, work is never boring.”

“When you work for a company that invites creativity, work is never boring.”

Barbara Silberberg is a founding member of Copptech and the head of its Latin American business. Barbara plays an integral role in the company, ensuring the sales teams and laboratories are in sync and working to share antimicrobial technology with product brands around the world. When she began working for Copptech, it was all about planning for growth. “We started with an office in Chile, then China, and then the United States. We had to ask ourselves: how can we position this company, which was still small at the time, to succeed globally?”

Barbara’s visionary attitude is inspired by a deep family heritage of intelligent and strong women. “The women in my family have always been ahead of their times. They didn’t have a conventional vision for their family. They emphasized culture and learning, and valued how different experiences can broaden your perspective on the world.” Barbara brings the same spirit to the Copptech team, stating “When you work for a company that invites creativity, work is never boring. You can think outside of the box and apply all the life lessons you’ve learned to meet your goal.”

“I don’t give up, especially when faced with obstacles.”

Daniella Calatayud started working for Copptech four years ago in the billing department. Since then, she earned the role of Office Coordinator thanks to her hard work and versatility of skills. Daniella manages the office’s day-to-day operations, including billing and supply management. “Working for Copptech is intriguing. COVID really put the importance of Copptech’s antimicrobial technology into perspective. As employees, we weren’t just working, we were creating technology for products we’d also use.”

Daniella draws inspiration from all the women in her family, including her sisters, aunts, and mother. After her father’s death, her mother raised Daniella and her siblings to value perseverance: “I don’t think she ever gave up. And I don’t give up either, especially when I face obstacles in life, or at work.” Outside of work, Daniella enjoys spending quality time at home with her partner and her pets.

“When I set a goal, I am persistent – sometimes even insistent. Whatever I start, I must finish.”

Carolina Momares is a managing partner in Copptech’s partner company, Kimba. Carolina is Kimba’s lead Product Developer, responsible for overseeing product design, fabric and material selection, and production. “The products we create are antimicrobial because the yarn we purchase from Copptech contains their innovative technology which uses copper. We weave the fabric on our machines, send it to be processed at external dry cleaners, and then manage cutting and sewing here in our factory.”

Carolina began her career as an intern with another textile company before joining the family business. Launched in the late 1960’s by her parents as a children’s clothing company, Kimba has evolved under Carolina and her brother’s leadership. Now the company focuses exclusively on pet products. Their most popular product with Copptech, a bodysuit (available with two, four, or no leg extensions) is designed to help pets heal faster by preventing bacteria growth after injury and surgery.

Carolina’s parents’ story continues to motivate her to succeed. “My mother and father started this company together. It’s a classic story of two people who started with nothing. But my mother studied dressmaking, and my father knew so much about machinery and finances, that they created a very successful company.” Despite the natural ups and downs that come with business ownership, Carolina never doubts herself. “I am persistent, sometimes even insistent, in achieving the goals I set. Whatever I start, I must finish. I never give up.”

“When the time came to decide my career path, Kimba was an opportunity. I thought, give this opportunity everything. This project can grow. And I’m still here.”

Estefa Guidotti is a product developer and graphic designer at Kimba, where she assists with production and marketing of the company’s unique pet products that are made with Copptech’s antimicrobial technology. Estefa has always been interested in traditional textile work. Kimba was a women’s clothing brand that had just begun weaving copper into their fabrics when she first joined the firm. When Estefa’s kitten had an infected wound after surgery, she decided to use Copptech’s then-emerging antimicrobial bodysuit to help the kitten heal. “At that time, the bodysuit was still considered a product for women, but I had a great feeling about the product and I immediately saw a positive change in my kitten’s health. So when the time came to decide my career path, I thought, here’s an opportunity. Give it everything. This project can grow. And I’m still here, working for Kimba.”

Copptech is the exclusive provider of antimicrobial yarn used by Kimba to weave their line of pet products. “ Copptech’s technology goes hand in hand with Kimba’s values of care, protection, practical products, and innovating in product development,” said Estefa.

Estefa said people would be surprised to learn that she was terrified of animals as a child. After a negative experience with a puppy, pet adoption (and her work with Kimba) has shown her that everything changes over time. “I never would have imagined I’d be putting bodysuits on dogs, petting them, loving them. Having a pet changed me. It taught me that animals have souls and personalities, and that’s why I’m in the career I’m in now.”

I really like research, and I love to learn and innovate.”

Dr. Elizabeth Mardones is a veterinarian and research analyst at Copptech. Since 2013, she has grown her career with us, working in nearly all our laboratories, including the test, biology, and research labs. Elizabeth’s uses her expertise in veterinary science to ensure that Copptech’s antimicrobial pet products in Chile are effective and safe for animal use. “I really like research, and I love to learn and to innovate. I’ve been with Copptech since the company’s start and now oversee developing projects in the labs.”

Elizabeth started her career as an agricultural technician, but developed an interest in chemistry while working in Copptech’s labs. Combining her interest in chemistry with a love for animals, Elizabeth was determined to pursue veterinary medicine. “My boss at Copptech, Luis Améstica, has always supported me. I was young when I joined the company, and he encouraged my studies.” Similarly, Elizabeth drew inspiration for her continued education from her mother: “My mom has always supported me through life’s ups and downs. She’s more than my mom, she’s my friend.”

Earlier this year, Elizabeth was a volunteer veterinarian assisting both animals and people injured during the wildfires that swept southern Chile. She also volunteered during the December 2022 fire in Viña del Mar.