Aida Alvarez

The Honorable Aida M. Alvarez is a committed leader and champion for the Latino community with a distinguished career as an award-winning journalist, investment banker, and federal-level policymaker. Aida was the first Latina woman to serve on a U.S. President’s Cabinet as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). She presided over record-setting activity at the SBA—$61.5 billion in guaranteed loans and venture capital financing over a four-year period. Also during her tenure, SBA’s lending to women tripled and lending to minorities doubled. Previously, Aida served as the first Director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.

Aida is actively engaged in the nonprofit community. In addition to serving as Board Chair Emerita of the Latino Community Foundation, Aida serves on the board of the San Francisco Symphony and is a Commissioner for the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. She also sits on several corporate boards, including those of HP Inc., Zoosk, and Oportun Financial Corporation. Previously, she served on the boards of Walmart, Pacificare (now part of United Health), and Union Bank.

A Harvard graduate, Aida holds honorary doctorates from Bethany College, Iona College, Mercy College, and the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. She has also served on the Harvard Board of Overseers.