The Inter-American Foundation's (IAF) board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of British Robinson, Celina de Sola, and Ambassador Alfonso Quiñónez to its advisory council. The council, which supports the board in advancing the IAF's grassroots development mission, includes distinguished leaders in business, philanthropy, public service, media, and academia.
"I am thrilled to welcome British, Celina, and Alfonso to the IAF," said Board Chair Eddy Arriola. "The deep regional knowledge and extensive international development expertise they bring to the foundation will enhance our work to catalyze, test and support local ideas for improving conditions in under-served communities in Latin America and the Caribbean."
British Robinson has more than 20 years' experience spearheading health, social inclusion, advocacy, and policy initiatives, as well as public-private partnerships, domestically and internationally. She most recently served as founding CEO of the Women's Heart Alliance and before that, as a diplomat at the U.S. Department of State's PEPFAR office. "I have long admired the work of the IAF and am honored to have the opportunity to champion its unique bottom-up approach to building resilient communities," said Robinson.
After a decade of leading humanitarian and public health programs around the world, Celina de Solareturned to El Salvador and co-founded Glasswing International. The organization implements education, health, and community development programs designed to mitigate root causes of poverty and violence in El Salvador and 11 other countries in the region. "I am committed to supporting and amplifying the important work of the IAF," said de Sola. "Having worked for many years on how to best address the acute security, social, and economic issues facing Latin America today, I know from experience that the IAF's hallmark approach to putting communities in the lead in local development works."
Ambassador Alfonso Quiñónez is the public affairs and sustainability manager for Grupo Progreso Guatemala. He has held a variety of leadership positions at the Organization of American States (OAS), including executive secretary for Integral Development and for the Summit of the Americas Secretariat. Prior to that, he served as Guatemala's ambassador to the OAS. "I am excited to join the ranks of the IAF – an organization that has truly transformed the lives of so many in my country and beyond," said Quiñónez. "I am especially eager to support the foundation's development of cross-sector partnerships to drive sustainable impact."
About the IAF
The IAF, an independent U.S. government agency, was created in 1969 to channel development assistance directly to the organized poor in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IAF is governed by a bipartisan board of directors appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. A president, appointed by the board, serves as the IAF's chief executive officer. The IAF funds community-led projects in 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.
For more information visitwww.iaf.gov
