Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) today announces Alejandro Álvarez von Gustedt as Vice President, Europe. Mr. Álvarez, who goes by Alex, adds his extensive and varied international experience to RPA’s two decades-long commitment to accelerating thoughtful, effective, and equitable philanthropy.  

In this newly created position Mr. Alvarez is charged with further extending RPA’s advisory, project hosting, research, and analysis services to assist European donors, trusts, corporations, and foundations on their grantmaking and other philanthropic activity.  

“Alex has a broad and diverse network of global relationships spanning sectors, geographies, and institutions, which makes him ideal to lead RPA’s European practice. He is an insightful connector with an innovative way of thinking about philanthropy,” said Walter Sweet, Senior Vice President, sponsored projects and funds at RPA. 

“We are excited to welcome Alex and have him on our team as we expand RPA’s global reach and help our clients’ advance their pursuit of social impact,” added Greg Ratliff, Senior Vice President, advisory services, at RPA. 

Mr. Álvarez is a dual national of Spain and Germany. Most recently he led a consortium sponsored by the World Economic Forum Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship to pilot new approaches to unlock access to finance in emerging markets. He is also co-founder and board member of Latimpacto, a Latin American network of philanthropists and social investors. Earlier, as Partner of the International Venture Philanthropy Center (IVPC) he co-led the establishment of the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), a Sub-Saharan network of social investors.  

Previously Mr. Álvarez was the Inter-American Development Bank’s Representative in Europe, worked at Monitor Group and at the World Bank Group’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).  

“I am extremely pleased to represent RPA in Europe. I look forward to working alongside a roster of passionate and talented colleagues to further a mission to accelerate philanthropy for a just world,” said Mr. Álvarez. 

RPA also welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: 

• Alta Buden is a New York based visual artist concerned with our relationship to the environment. Her work draws on her studies of evolutionary biology, her childhood experience of new age mysticism and the time she spent working with scientists at The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, IL. Ms. Buden is a Rockefeller family member.  
• Mosun Layode is a development professional with two decades of experience in international development and nonprofit leadership. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the African Philanthropy Forum (APF), where she works extensively across Africa with established and emerging philanthropists who are committed to the sustainable and inclusive development of Africa. 
• Vinit Rishi currently holds the positions of Director of Administration, Foundation Secretary, and Director of the India Programme at Oak Foundation, and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. 

 

Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash.

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