Julio Rank Wright actively promotes democracy in the region as the program officer responsible for democratic consolidation programs Mexico and Central America at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, DC. Prior to joining the National Endowment for Democracy Julio served as Regional Director for Central America for RTI International, the second largest independent development contractor in the United States, working in democratic governance, municipal finance, and public service provision. Julio was also RTI's Deputy Director for the Technical Assistance Provision Program for the 262 municipalities of El Salvador. Served as Head of the Research and Policy Division of the Social Investment Fund for Local Development (FISDL) where he coordinated local development projects with funding from World Bank, USAID and IADB. Participated in the elaboration of government platforms for two candidates for mayor of San Salvador and a Presidential candidate and ran for City Council in 2003 as the youngest candidate in recent history. Julio was chosen as a “Voice from the New Generation” by the Council of the Americas/Americas Society in New York City and actively contributes to their blog. Founding member of Fundacion Juntos por la Ciudad and founding member of the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUSADES). He's served as Committee Member for FUSADES' Social Strengthening Program, FORTAS. Vice-President of the National Council of the Scouts Association and on the Board of SalvaNATURA. Holds a BSc in Economics with a minor in religious studies from Santa Clara University; Masters in Community and Rural Development from Cornell University and a Msc. in Business & Enterprise from Oxford Brookes University in England. Julio has also participated in political party leadership at the local and national level in El Salvador.