Edgar Villanueva
Chief Executive Officer & Founder | Decolonizing Wealth Project
Professional Overview
Edgar Villanueva is a seasoned philanthropic leader and social impact strategist with over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and social impact sectors. As the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Decolonizing Wealth Project, he leverages his deep expertise in philanthropy, grantmaking, and organizational development to drive transformative change and address systemic inequities.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the CEO and Founder of the Decolonizing Wealth Project, Edgar is responsible for shaping the organization's strategic vision, leading its programmatic initiatives, and fostering meaningful collaborations with diverse stakeholders. Under his leadership, the Decolonizing Wealth Project has emerged as a leading voice in the philanthropic community, advocating for more equitable, inclusive, and community-centered approaches to grantmaking and resource allocation.
Career Progression
Prior to founding the Decolonizing Wealth Project, Edgar held senior leadership positions at several prominent philanthropic organizations. As the Senior Vice President at the Schott Foundation for Public Education, he spearheaded the development and implementation of impactful education initiatives, contributing to systemic improvements in public school systems. Additionally, he served as a Program Officer at the Marguerite Casey Foundation, where he managed national and Midwest portfolios, driving grant-making strategies that empowered marginalized communities.
Academic Background
Edgar holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he also served as the Executive Director of the Quality Enhancement for Organizations (QENO) program, leveraging his expertise in organizational development and capacity building.
Areas of Expertise
- Philanthropy and grantmaking strategy
- Organizational development and capacity building
- Equity-focused program design and implementation
- Cross-sector collaboration and stakeholder engagement
- Nonprofit leadership and strategic planning
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Edgar has been recognized as a thought leader and change-maker in the philanthropic sector. He has authored the acclaimed book "Decolonizing Wealth," which has sparked critical conversations about the need to dismantle colonial practices in wealth management and grantmaking. Additionally, he has served on the boards of numerous social impact organizations, contributing his strategic insights and fostering collective action towards more equitable and sustainable solutions.
Conclusion
As a visionary leader and passionate advocate for social justice, Edgar Villanueva is committed to transforming the philanthropic landscape and empowering marginalized communities. Through his work at the Decolonizing Wealth Project and his extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, he continues to drive meaningful change and inspire others to embrace a more inclusive, community-centric approach to creating positive social impact.
