MEXICO CITY, MEXICO, September 19, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Gustavo A. Vargas Victoria has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Vargas Victoria is an accomplished associate investment officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, District of Columbia. With a career spanning several years in international development and finance, he has demonstrated expertise in blended finance and sustainable development.
Mr. Vargas Victoria began his professional journey as a climate finance consultant at Climate Focus GmbH in Berlin, Germany, from 2015 to 2016. During this period, he co-authored significant publications including the development of an assessment framework and report on progress of the New York Declaration on Forests, a voluntary and non-legally binding political declaration under which companies and civil society pledge ambitious targets to end deforestation by 2030, and to restore hundreds of millions of hectares of degraded land. His work laid the foundation for his future endeavors in climate policy and finance.
In 2017, Mr. Vargas Victoria transitioned to the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC, where he served as a financial management consultant until 2018. His role involved supporting the implementation of climate projects and administration agreement with the Green Climate Fund, which further honed his skills in international development. Following this, he joined the World Bank Group as a natural resources management consultant from 2018 to 2020. Here, he contributed to the design and development of Emissions Reduction Program(s) (ERP) under the Forest Carbon Partnership Program (FCPF) for countries like the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Fiji, as well as with supporting governments of the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region such as El Salvador and Uruguay in developing Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+1) Program and the enabling conditions necessary for receiving REDD+ payments. In honor of his accomplishments, he received a collaboration award in recognition of his efforts in building synergies to bring the full WBG capacity to serve its clients, in particular for his work in re-imagining sustainable landscapes in LAC. He is also a recipient of a WBG's Teams Award for contributing to the development of Fiji's ERP.
One of Mr. Vargas Victoria's most notable achievements was his role as coordinator of the ERP Document in Guatemala. Collaborating with the national government, communities and experts, he supported the finalization of the design of the program by working with the different parties to guarantee that program components met the standards required for its selection by the FCPF participants and the World Bank. This accomplishment stands out as a testament to his dedication and impact on sustainable development.
Aware of the key role of the private sector in promoting a sustainable development, Mr. Vargas Victoria decided to transition to IFC. His tenure began in February 2020 when he took on the role of financial analyst. Over four years, he joined the Blended Finance Department, where he supported the processing of complex transactions by helping client companies in accessing commercial financing through blended finance solutions. In January 2024, he was promoted to associate investment officer for the Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services LAC Department, where he continues to support business development efforts in Latin America by meeting with clients, understanding their needs, and structuring financing solutions.
Mr. Vargas Victoria's academic background is equally impressive. He graduated first in his cohort with cum laude honors obtaining a Bachelor of Science in economics from Universidad ICESI in 2011. Following this accomplishment, he pursued Master of Public Administration at the London School of Economics. He completed his public policy studies through a Dual Degree Program at Hertie School of Government in Berlin, graduating in 2015 among the top 10 percent of his class. In 2020, he completed the CFA Program, having passed all three levels of examinations. His education has been instrumental in shaping his professional journey and enabling him to make significant contributions to international finance and development. He attributes his subsequent success to discipline and motivation, qualities that have driven him throughout his career.
Beyond his professional life, Mr. Vargas Victoria has been actively involved in civic organizations. He served as a project leader for 180 Degrees Consulting and as a secretary for Active 20-30. On a personal level, he enjoys personal care and outdoor sports such skiing, his recently discovered passion. Looking ahead, he aims to continue working in promoting the development of Latin America leveraging his work and experience at the WBG, where he aspires to continue growing his career. He is a proud LGBT+ member, and he hopes to inspire other younger members of the LGBTQ+ community.
1 The '+' stands for additional forest-related activities that protect the climate, namely sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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