José Antonio "Tony" Pérez

BA in Latin American Studies and Spanish | 2012

Photo: José Antonio "Tony" Pérez

Job : Program Assistant, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Location : Washington, DC

José Antonio "Tony" Pérez is a distinguished professional with a robust academic and career background in international development and strategic planning. He graduated from the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 2012, earning dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Latin American Studies and Spanish. His decision to attend UNM was influenced by the financial support he received from the NM Legislative Lottery Scholarship. Reflecting on his education, Tony credits the Latin American and Iberian Institute for providing him with profound insights into historical and contemporary relationships between the Old and New Worlds, which continue to impact current global dynamics. This foundation, coupled with his involvement in the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship, facilitated his selection as an intern at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) upon his graduation in December 2012.

Tony furthered his education by completing a Master of Arts in International (Sustainable) Development at SIT Graduate Institute in Washington, D.C., in August 2014. His academic pursuits were complemented by his involvement with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), where he remains an active alumnus.

Currently, Tony Pérez excels as the Travel Planning Director at the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), where he spearheads strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes. His role involves comprehensive oversight of travel planning and logistics, ensuring that the corporation operates seamlessly in its global engagements. Prior to joining DFC, Tony was an Operations Advisor to the President and Chair at the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) from May 2022 to October 2024. During his tenure at EXIM, he focused on implementing process improvements and fostering collaboration with key stakeholders, significantly contributing to the bank's operational advancements.

Tony's career at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was marked by significant achievements. He culminated his tenure there as a Senior Program Analyst, where he was instrumental in strategic planning and project design. His earlier roles included serving as a Program Assistant and Special Assistant within the E3 Bureau at the USAID Water Office. He was also part of the Policy, Planning, and Learning (PPL) Bureau, contributing to the Clear Choice Secretariat, where he played a crucial role in policy formulation and inter-agency coordination.

Tony's exemplary contributions to the 2015 United Nations General Assembly earned him USAID's Superior Honor Award on two occasions. Additionally, he was recognized by the Huffington Post as one of its "40 under 40: Latinos in Foreign Policy," highlighting his influence and potential in international affairs. His accolades include the FY 2015 and FY 2016 Superior Honor Awards from USAID and HACU’s Alicia Casanova Award from HACU in 2023.