1. DANILO CRUZ-DEPAULA DCRUZ.DEPAULA@GMAIL.COM
Value Chains, Competitiveness, Policy Reform
Key Qualifications
• A dynamic, strategic thinker and problem solver with extensive multi-country experience in,
Eastern Europe/NIS, the Balkans, Latin America, and Asia in value chains, strategic
alliances, competitiveness, institutional strengthening, and livelihood oriented programs.
• Excellent manager, with proven track record as COP leading four complex but highly
successful USAID programs, including meeting benchmarks and established budgets, and
supervising, coaching, mentoring and strengthening large, multi-cultural teams. Strong record
in managing effective relations with and responsiveness to USAID, as well as senior level
government and private sector stakeholders, including small farmers and micro-
entrepreneurs, and associations.
• Established record of forging market linkages between larger companies and small producers
and associations through strategic partnerships to create “win-win” alliances that create jobs,
increase productivity, and expand sales and incomes.
• Effective communicator, experienced establishing excellent outreach/communications
programs, highly praised by USAID.
• Experienced in operating in politically sensitive programs and environment.
Professional Experience
Entrepreneur/Investor, Consultant (February 2015 – Present)
Directing real estate development projects in the Dominican Republic in beach resort and urban
properties. Also providing financial and consulting services for equity stake to newly formed light
manufacturing company. Leading conceptualization of a value chain/work force development GDA
for a U.S. consulting firm.
Chief of Party, Financial Markets International, Financial Reform Program II, Ukraine (Aug.
2013–January 2015)
Led USAID/Ukraine’s flagship FINREP II policy reform program, a $14.6 million project whose
objectives include: (1) strengthening supervision and regulation of the financial industry, including
security exchanges, pension reform, corporate governance, and implementation of international
standards necessary for Ukraine’s accession into the European Union; (2) developing financial and
derivatives markets (especially agricultural commodity exchanges, focused on increasing trade and
establishing price transparency for small farmers) and developing new financial products and reduced
barriers to rural financial services, especially for cooperatives and associations; (3) increasing
financial literacy among the general population, especially rural areas; and (4) empowering rural
women through micro and SME development, access to credit, advocacy, financial literacy, and
livelihood initiatives. Work closely and engage senior Ukrainian government institutions and officials
from the Ministries of Finance, Economy Development and Trade, Social Policy, Agriculture, and
other institutions such as the Pension Fund of Ukraine, the Securities and Stock Market National
Commission, and committees from the National Assembly. Key stakeholders also include the private
sector, as well as civil society organizations such as gender-focused NGOs providing training and
services to rural women. This is a highly visible, politically sensitive program. Left program to pursue
investment opportunity in excellent standing with USAID.

2. D. Cruz-DePaula
Chief of Party, CARANA Corporation, Enterprise and Employment Program, Nicaragua (Nov.
2009–Aug. 2013)
Led $11.6 million program (over $40 million total, including over $30 million leveraged from the
private sector) focusing primarily on development of 15 value chains, including agriculture and agro-
industry. Generated over $35 million in new investments, increased financing for over 5,000 small
farmers through banks, microfinance institutions, other non-bank lenders, and created over 7,000
jobs. Guided conceptualization and implementation of partnerships and alliances between established
“anchor firms” and small and micro producers and associations, focused on providing assured
markets, technical assistance, and access to finance. Majority of alliances, in addition to anchor firms,
included cross-cutting alliances with nutrition, gender, and/or livelihoods initiatives. Increased
incomes of rural women by over 300% in shrimp production, handicrafts, cassava, and other sectors.
Helped leading financial institutions, including large exporting companies, credit cooperatives, and
micro finance institutions to develop new products including loan instruments focused on small-scale
dairy production, coffee plantation rehabilitation, and tourism to deliver over $30 million in new
loans. Worked with local associations and stakeholders to deliver successful training programs in a
variety of areas, including coordination with government ministries on Good Agricultural Practices
(GAP) and Hazard and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certifications. Through Policy and Trade
Facilitation component, supported leading private sector organizations and agricultural associations in
analyzing key constraints in CAFTA-DR implementation and export promotion, directing a team of
local and international consultants to generate consensus on needed reforms. Successfully helped pass
through the legislature ten major laws and twelve regulatory reforms in the financial sector (leasing,
factoring, bank regulation), tourism (costal development, fiscal incentives), competition, water usage,
customs reform, and ports laws. Participated regularly in public forums to address private sector
development issues as well as advising leading private organizations and businesses. Established a
comprehensive communications program through the program website, Twitter and Facebook
accounts, monthly bulletins, and semester magazines, highly praised by USAID and responsible for
more than 90% of local print and television coverage of USAID programs in Nicaragua. Supervised
25 direct employees and over 100 consultants throughout the program.
Chief of Party, Chemonics International, Private Sector Competitiveness Enhancement
Program (PSCEP), Azerbaijan (Oct 2008–Nov 2009)
Managed $6.6 million USAID program initiating and supervising local business delivery service
provider offices to support value chains and producer associations in five rural regions in ten
subsectors focusing on agribusiness, dairy, fruit and vegetable production, furniture, cold storage,
packaging, and bank strengthening and access to finance, especially through value chain financing.
Led efforts to assist five private Azeri banks to develop new instruments, including leasing and
subordinated debt as well as delivering training programs SME on lending programs for five leading
Azeri banks. Served as senior advisor to the sovereign Azerbaijan Investment Company and the
Caspian International Investment Company, strengthening their capacity to generate deal flow,
review investment criteria and conduct due diligence, especially in agri-business, resulting in over
$40 million in investments and the introduction of new products such as subordinated debt.
Supervised work of over 30 international consultants,. Established excellent relations with the
government, including recommendations to the GOAZ on planned investments in infrastructure and
agriculture. Worked with leading local NGOs in alliances between private sector enterprises and civil
society.
Director, Chemonics International (Dec 2007–Sep 2008)
Led technical/conceptual new business preparations for agri-business, value chain, trade and
competitiveness and ecotourism programs in the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Colombia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Pakistan, and Mexico. Provided assistance to the GODR’s National

3. D. Cruz-DePaula
Competitiveness Council in enhancing their capacity to support industry/value chain clusters to and
develop proposals for international financial institutions and other bilateral donors, including
strengthening of mango and oriental vegetable value chains, with special emphasis on incorporating
small producer associations. Conducted in-depth value chain assessments of coffee, lumber/forestry,
and tourism value chains in southern Mexico, and provided recommendations for more effective
incorporation of local communities, including those in the state of Chiapas, displaced by political
disturbances. Assisted indigenous communities in developing and strengthening alliances with
Starbucks and other international companies and to develop a value chain approach to address
constraints. Conducted a four week new business assessment in Colombia, traveling throughout the
country, including areas covered by alternative development programs.
Chief of Party, Chemonics International, Dominican Republic Competitiveness and Policy
Program, Dominican Republic (Sep 2004–Nov 2007)
Managed $7.2 million USAID program promoting national competitiveness focusing on trade, and
agriculture/agribusiness and tourism value chains. Assumed COP position after initial slow start up,
leading turn-around by establishing strategic direction and effective management. Directed major
policy reforms with a team of over 30 consultants such as passage of a National Competition Law,
CAFTA-DR Ratification Law, and Fiscal Reform and Export Incentives Laws. Addressed over
fifteen regulatory constraints to overcome obstacles to trade and investment and addressing “Doing
Business” indicators. Created five regional tourism and three sustainable agricultural clusters to
strengthen their respective value chains. still operative today, focusing on establishing sustainable
linkages between major investors, vendors, tour operators, and local communities and municipalities,
especially small and micro enterprises, as well as access to finance. Engaged and brought senior
foreign investors in tourism to active cluster participation. Led initiation of mango exports to Europe
and sales expansion for oriental vegetable and coffee clusters incorporating small producers. Created
over 5,000 jobs and generated over US$50 million in new investments.
Director, Chemonics International (Jun 2003–Aug 2004)
Led oversight of competitiveness, value chain, and policy projects in Latin America and Eastern
Europe, including STTA to several Chemonics projects on competitiveness issues. Undertook one
month assignment in Colombia, focused on proposals for SME development projects. Delivered a
rapid assessment on selected activities of Chemonics’ Alternative Development Project in Colombia.
Focused on trade and competitiveness and access to finance issues and programs, including trade
capacity building and policy issues related to CAFTA-DR.
Managing director, vFinance Investments, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida (May 2000-03)
Senior investment banker in firm specializing in raising capital and mergers and acquisitions and
strategic advice for emerging companies ranging from high tech (software, telecom, Internet) to retail,
manufacturing, and agro-industrial products. Supervised over 70 investment bankers and support
staff. Led efforts to acquire a boutique investment bank in Mexico. Worked with Mexican client in
acquisition of restaurant chain in the U.S.
Vice president, TriCapital Corporation, Bethesda, Maryland (Oct 1997–Apr 2000)
Senior investment banker/consultant specializing in strategic and financial advice and raising capital
for emerging companies. Advised clients on business strategies and models, including finance, IPOs,
marketing, competitive and positioning. Mentored and served as an advisor to start-up companies
through the University of Maryland’s Dingman Center.
Senior merchant banker, Barents Group LLC Budapest, Hungary (Oct 1994–Sep 1996)

4. D. Cruz-DePaula
Led consulting and merchant banking services in Eastern Europe, especially Hungary, the Czech
Republic, and Poland. Provided assistance to the Privatization Ministry in developing the capacity to
tender privatizations including sector strategies and financial issues. Focused on privatization of large
and mid-sized state-owned enterprises, as well as commercial merchant banking services for middle
market companies.
Independent trade and investment consultant (Dec 1993–Sep 1994)
Provided advisory services to private commercial clients and donors in Hungary, Austria, Russia,
Poland, the Czech Republic and Ecuador, especially regarding acquisitions. Assisted USAID in an in-
depth evaluation of its Enterprise Fund program in Eastern Europe and provided assessment of
expanding the model to the former Soviet Union. For USAID, undertook an assessment of its private
sector programs, making strategic recommendations for future program development.
Investment banker, EuroAmerica Capital Corporation, Inc., Budapest Hungary (Apr 1992–
Feb 1994)
Raised capital for renovation of the Budapest International Airport, raising capital for master licensee
of U.S. fast food restaurants in Hungary and Poland, and privatization of several state-owned
enterprises. Provided strategic advice to leading Hungarian companies.
Senior trade negotiator, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Washington, D.C. (Feb
1990 –March 1992)
Responsible for negotiation of all U.S. commodity agreements world-wide, especially the
International Coffee Agreement, in partnership with the government of Colombia. Traveled three
times to Bogota to meet government officials and private companies on coffee-issues. Headed U.S.
trade negotiation teams, consisting of senior USG officials, as well as U.S. industry representatives.
Met with government officials in numerous other countries to discuss U.S. positions including,
Mexico, Brazil, El Salvador, Malaysia, and Japan.
U.S. Foreign Service officer, Agency for International Development (USAID) (Jan 1980–
1990)
Entered USAID under the International Development Intern Program (Young Professionals
Program). Served in Washington, Peru, Honduras, and South Asia with focus on SME development
and policy reform and analysis. In Honduras, co-led creating of organizations such as FIDE and the
agricultural research center, FHIA, as well as endowments to the Zamorano agricultural school.
Managed over $200 million local currency fund focused on supporting local organizations and rural
credit lines. Led efforts in assessing humanitarian needs of Hondurans, Nicaraguans, and
Salvadoreans displaced by wars, including planning for humanitarian assistance and longer-term
placement.
Independent consultant and Peace Corps Volunteer (Oct 1976 – Dec 1979)
• Inter-American Development Bank – graduate student intern, researching financial intermediation
in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
• Peace Corps Volunteer (Costa Rica) – worked with rural agricultural cooperatives in developing
business plans and loan applications for banks and other lenders.
Education
MBA, Finance, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (1992)
MA, International Relations (concentration in International Economics and Latin America), Johns
Hopkins, School of Advanced International Studies, Washington, D.C., (1979)

5. D. Cruz-DePaula
BA, Economics and Political Science, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, (1975)
Languages and Citizenship
Bi-lingual in Spanish and English. U.S. citizen.

6. D. Cruz-DePaula
BA, Economics and Political Science, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, (1975)
Languages and Citizenship
Bi-lingual in Spanish and English. U.S. citizen.