Salvador Sepulveda is a monitoring and evaluation specialist with a passion for understanding and addressing racial dynamics, specifically focusing on the Afro-descendant communities in Latin America. After earning his BA in Linguistics and Communications from the University of Puerto Rico in 2016, he continued his academic journey with a Master of Arts in Sociocultural Anthropology from Portland State University. His MA thesis, Racializing Discourse: An Exploration of Moreno Subject Formation in Oaxaca, Mexico, reflects his dedication to exploring complex social issues through the lens of anthropology.
After his professional masters, Salvador developed his professional career in the field of international development, most notably in his current role as a Senior Program Officer at the International Research and Exchange Board (IREX). Here, he oversees strategic alumni activities, including Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) processes for the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI). His leadership in fostering collaboration between alumni, partners, and embassies across the Western Hemisphere has helped shape impactful alumni programming and community engagement initiatives.
In addition to his work at IREX, Salvador is an adjunct faculty member at Portland State University, where he teaches courses focused on Latin American peoples and cultures. His academic expertise, combined with practical experience in program management and community engagement, makes him a valuable educator and mentor.
Mr. Sepulveda’s research experience extends beyond academia. He has worked on various community-focused projects, including developing programing for entrepreneurs and leaders in the western hemisphere and conducting ethnographic research in Oaxaca, Mexico, where he studied racialized discourse and systemic oppression.
Selected Works:
- Sepulveda, Juan. 2017. “An Explosion of Intersectionality: The Undercurrents of Race, Nationalism, and Sexuality of an Afro-Dominican in Puerto Rico.” Trasunto Vol 2.
- Sepulveda, Juan. 2016. “Representation and Invisibility of Blackness in Puerto Rico’s El Nuevo Día.” Celebrating Multiple Identities: Opting Out of Neocolonial Monolingualism Vol. 2.
- Sepulveda, Juan. 2016. “The Dutch, The English, and a New Capitalist Form of Slave Labor Out of Control: Marronage in the Greater Caribbean.” Symposium Caribe Plurilingual VII, University of Puerto Rico San Juan.
In his spare time, Salvador enjoys exploring his interests in DEIA practices and photography, skills he has developed through certifications and continued learning. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he brings a bilingual and cross-cultural perspective to his work, enriching his contributions to the field of international development.