Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda
Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda is a renowned investor, philanthropist, author, and advocate for children's rights, particularly focusing on those with disabilities. As a leader in human rights and inclusive urban development, Dr. Pineda has played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of children worldwide. His collaboration with UNICEF has been instrumental in advancing the rights of children with disabilities, highlighted by the landmark publication "It's About Ability." This series of tools, translated into over 16 languages and developed in partnership with UNICEF, is a testament to Dr. Pineda's commitment to ensuring that children's rights are recognized and upheld globally.
As the Executive Director of the historic Center for Independent Living, Dr. Pineda oversees direct services and champions numerous initiatives for his community. Previously to this role, he directed his foundation's pathbreaking partnership with UNICEF, the World Bank, and other development partners in an effort to create inclusive and accessible environments for children and youth. These collaborations raised awareness and drove action towards the rights of children with disabilities.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Pineda has served as a two-time presidential appointee and a senior advisor to governments, corporations, and international organizations, including the G20/U20 and UN-Habitat. His expertise in inclusive urban development and resilience has been pivotal in shaping policies and practices that benefit children, especially those with disabilities.
Dr. Pineda's early contributions include negotiating pivotal international agreements, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and UN Habitat's New Urban Agenda. These agreements have had a profound impact on children's rights and well-being. His involvement in the development of regulatory frameworks, like the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Disability Strategies and Ecuador's National Mobility Plan, further underscores his dedication to creating inclusive societies where children and older adults can thrive.
An accomplished author, Dr. Pineda's books, "Building the Inclusive City: Governance, Access and the Urban Transformation of Dubai" and "Inclusion and Belonging in Cities of Tomorrow: Governance and Access by Design" have been widely recognized for their groundbreaking research in inclusive urban development. He also holds influential positions, such as a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Councils and a Senior Fellow at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government.
Dr. Pineda's academic background – with a doctorate in Urban Planning from UCLA and degrees in city and regional planning, political economy, and business administration from the University of California, Berkeley – has equipped him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in championing the rights of children, especially those with disabilities. His work continues to inspire and drive change, making significant strides in the fight for a more inclusive and accessible world for all children.
Dr. Pineda joined the Save the Children Board in 2024 and is a member of the Program Impact and Finance Committees.
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