Ingrid Datica

 Co-owner of Villa Balem Ek and current Vecinos Board Member-at-Large

Multidisciplinary professional with extensive experience in sustainable tourism, property management, media, arts, and environmental initiatives. Co-owner of based businesses and active leader in community and nonprofit organizations. Passionate about ecology, cultural arts, and project coordination in both Mexico and the U.S.

Leadership & Community Roles

• Co-Owner of Villa Balam Ek 
• Co-Owner of the Akumal Dive Shop
• Vice President and Co-Founder, ADMAK (Akumal Property Managers)– (2015- present)
• Property Manager (2007–Present)
• NAS Akumal Norte Security (2017- 2023)
• Government Chair, Board of Vecinos de Akumal Norte (2022–Present)

Candidates for Secretary

Vote for up to One:

Dan Freeman
Liane Perry

Dan Freeman

Owner of Casa Gatos and former Vecinos President

My Thinking

Let’s set aside political differences and recognize that every member of our community brings unique priorities and values. What truly matters is our shared commitment to building a vibrant, fully functioning community—one with clean, attractive bay fronts and reliable services. Blame and division only hold us back. Instead, let’s focus on solutions: our two associations, EPA and Vecinos, exist to serve us all. EPA safeguards our ocean and bay, while Vecinos ensures our essential services run smoothly. But none of this is possible without your support. As a small group, we face the daunting task of raising substantial funds quickly to meet urgent needs. The more united and efficient we appear, the more likely we are to attract new members, and generous donations. Political infighting will never help us reach our goals.

Thoughts for strengthening our association

Imagine the impact of open board meetings, where every member’s voice is heard and directors’ decisions are transparent. This openness builds trust and understanding, empowering you to make informed choices at election time and decide where your contributions will make the greatest difference. Time is often critical—just look at the Community Center. By partnering with Tulum to add a police station, we secured free building permits, but it still took three years of dedicated contributions to complete. Now, our community enjoys its own security service, thanks to collective effort.

Asking for Your Support

I am pleased to submit my candidacy for the position of Secretary of the association and would appreciate your support. Prior to relocating to Akumal, I gained extensive managerial experience as a business owner and served as Director of Sales and Marketing for both the Philadelphia Zoo and the New Jersey State Aquarium. During my eight-year tenure as President of the Vecinos Association, we had open board meetings and doubled our membership. We completed significant projects including completing the paved road system from the Pluma to Yalku Lagoon, installing safety topes, and solar streetlights. Building the community center and securing the deployment of the Guardia Nacional unit in North Akumal, thereby greatly enhancing our community’s safety. One of our greatest achievements was the fostering of productive partnerships with three consecutive mayors of Tulum and their administrations.

Following my presidency, I have remained actively involved by serving as the Titular of our local bank account with Kapital, working closely with our President Scott Brown and Treasurer Neil Canter to provide daily banking services. My responsibility is to ensure that all officers have timely access to accurate information reports as they need. I am deeply committed to our community and the associations that serves it and am prepared to bring my experience and dedication to the role of Secretary. With your support, I will continue striving to advance the association’s mission and success.

I advocate for the following Initiatives

These projects are aimed at further strengthening public safety and enhancing the quality of life in Akumal Norte.

Public Safety Enhancements, Tulum requires us to do

To further improve public safety in Akumal Norte, our association needs to undertake two critical infrastructure projects. First, we will install new sidewalks throughout the community. This is designed to promote pedestrian safety, making it easier and safer for residents and visitors to navigate our streets on foot.

Additionally, we must place electric lines underground. By relocating these lines, it will significantly reduce outages caused by foliage interference and eliminate hazards associated with exposed wiring. This project will not only enhance the reliability of our electrical services but also improve the overall aesthetics of our area, contributing to a more attractive and orderly community environment.

• Infrastructure Maintenance: A dedicated maintenance crew should be established to service our infrastructure projects, ensuring reliable and efficient operation of essential community services.
  
• Community Cleanliness: Regular cleaning efforts will be organized, and during sargasso season, we will collaborate with EPA and bay owner staff to keep the bay area clean and attractive.
  
• Environmental Programs: We must continue our recycling initiatives and programs focused on protecting the community from sewage-related issues.
  
• Membership and Public Relations: A separate membership program needs to be launched, alongside a public relations initiative designed to promote tourism in Akumal Norte.
  

These projects reflect a commitment to maintaining a safe, sustainable, and vibrant community for all residents and visitors.