Who We Are

Alentejo Alliance is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the social and economic vitality of the Alentejo region of Portugal.

We foster sustainable partnerships between local communities and international collaborators to strengthen capacity, preserve heritage, and build opportunity for future generations.

How We Do It

Education & Academic Partnerships

We build bridges between U.S. and Portuguese institutions through faculty collaborations, student engagement programs, and global learning initiatives.


Entrepreneurship & Economic Development

Our programs support local entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and small business resources to create resilient, community-rooted economies.


Cultural Preservation & Promotion

We highlight and protect the unique cultural identity of the Alentejo by supporting the arts, preserving local heritage sites, and promoting regional pride through community-centered initiatives.


Meet Our Team

When Alentejo Alliance was just an idea, our team worked together to bring it to life. Let’s introduce the minds behind the Alliance.

  • Cathy is the owner of Jennings House Eatery in San Diego, California, and the former Executive Director of the Fermanian Business & Economic Institute at Point Loma Nazarene University. With a rich background in leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and international business and communications, Cathy brings decades of experience to her work in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.

    For the past 14 years, Cathy has led business and cultural trips to Portugal, working with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and university students on international business and social impact projects. Her work bridges cultures and industries, fostering collaboration between U.S. and Portuguese organizations. She has also partnered with Portuguese universities and secondary schools to deliver conferences and seminars designed to inspire and equip professionals and students alike.

    Cathy loves to travel and enjoys coastal living. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with her family. She lives in San Diego and is the proud mother of two grown children and grandmother to three grandsons.

  • Dr. Randal Schober is a tenured Professor of Management at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, where he teaches International Business and leads the Entrepreneurship concentration at the Fermanian School of Business. An accomplished entrepreneur and consultant, he has founded ventures in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors and advises organizations on innovation and the sustainability of strategic business models.

    Holding a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Exercise Physiology and a Postdoctoral Degree in Business, Randal brings a unique blend of academic expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and cross-cultural perspective to the Alentejo Alliance. He is passionate about fostering sustainable partnerships that advance economic and cultural vitality in the Alentejo region. Based in San Diego, he enjoys traveling, surfing, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits.