“ALISTER HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ADVISED BY SOME OF THE BEST MINDS IN THE WORLD”
DR. JORGE CASTAÑEDA GUTMAN
Dr. Jorge Castañeda, a renowned public intellectual, political scientist, and prolific writer, with an interest in Latin American politics, comparative politics, and U.S.-Latin American relations.
In his political career, Dr. Castañeda served as a political advisor to the Mexican government on Central American and Caribbean affairs, as Secretary of Foreign Affairs under President Vicente Fox through the years of 2000 to 2003, and as an independent presidential candidate for Mexico’s 2006 election.
Currently, Dr. Castaneda is on the Faculty of Arts & Science of New York University as a Global Distinguished Professor of Politics and Latin American and Caribbean Studies since his appointment in 1997. He spends several months in New York in this capacity and the rest of the time abroad. Since earning his Ph.D., Dr. Castañeda has served as a professor at several colleges and universities including the University of California, Berkeley, Princeton University, New York University, the University of Cambridge, the National Autonomous University of Mexico and teaching joint graduate course with Columbia University, featuring distinguished Latin-American scholar, Professor John H. Coatsworth, Provost, Columbia University.
Dr. Castañeda has authored a number of books, including Compañero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara (1997), Limits to Friendship: The United States and Mexico (1988) (with Robert Pastor), Utopia Unarmed: The Latin American Left After the Cold War (1993), The Mexican Shock (1995), Perpetuating Power: How Mexican Presidents Were Chosen (2000), Ex-Mex: From Migrants to Immigrants (2007), and Mañana Forever? Mexico and the Mexicans (2011).
Mexico’s Proceso and Reforma, The Los Angeles Times, Spain’s El País, Newsweek International, and The New York Times are publication that have featured Dr. Castañeda writing.
Dr. Castañeda, who is a native to Mexico City who received his bachelor's degrees from Princeton University and the Sorbonne, an M.A. from the École Pratique de Hautes Études. Also earning a Ph. D. in economic history from the Sorbonne. Serving as a Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 1985 to 1987. Additionally, he is a MacArthur research and writing grant recipient from 1989 to 1991.
ALISTER is privileged to welcome Dr. Castañeda to the Board and his wealth of experience and understanding of the Latin American community.
DR. JAROSŁAW PIETRAS
Dr. Jarosław Pietras, an esteemed Professor of Economics and published author on issues of trade and the EU. Dr. Pietras represented Poland during the 1990’s as Deputy Minister playing an integral role in the negotiations for Poland’s entry as a member state into the European Union on May 1st of 2004.
Serving as the Undersecretary of State, the Secretary of State, and the Head of the Office of the Committee for European Integration of Poland positioned Dr. Pietras for his future involvement within the European Union and leading Poland’s integration. Highlighting prominent appointments during his term, Dr. Pietras held the titles of Deputy Chairman of the European Committee of the Council of Ministers, Deputy Chairman of the Inter-ministerial Team on the WTO Trade Negotiations, and previously, the Deputy Chairman of the Negotiations Team for the Polish Accession to the EU.
Dr. Pietras' vast experience also comes from his position of over twelve years as Director General at the Council of the European Union in Brussels. Overseeing Climate Change, Environment, Energy, Transport as well as Education, Culture, Audiovisual, Youth, and Sport. During his tenure as Director General, Dr. Pietras participated in numerous ministerial debates concerning the most critical challenges facing education and youth in Europe. Prior to this role Dr. Pietras served as the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Finance of Poland and spent over a year as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Duke University in North Carolina.
Dr. Pietras received his PhD in Economics in 1986 at the Faculty of Economics, University of Warsaw where he taught from 1980 to 2008, serving in various roles within the Polish Government and the Council of the European Union while on sabbatical leave.
Dr. Pietras’ passion for education has continued throughout his public office appointments teaching in several Polish, European, and American educational establishments; he presently holds a Visiting Professor role at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.
In a culmination of his experiences and educational background coupled with his dedication to his family and children’s education, Dr. Pietras joins ALISTER to bring his distinguished public office and academic expertise. With his extensive involvement in education, economics, culture, and the challenges facing youth in Europe and America; the knowledge and support he will bring to ALISTER is indisputable.
ALAN J. SEGAN
Alan J. Segan, a pillar in the public relations industry, leading his real estate and developer clients with the keen eye of a former investment banker and urban planner, Mr. Segan brings more than 30 years of expertise and industry contacts to the public relations profession.
Most recently, Mr. Segan served for over two decades as Senior Vice President and Group Head at Rubenstein Public Relations, the highly regarded New York-based full-service communications agency. Working on some of New York City’s most prestigious real estate projects, in addition to major developments worldwide. Mr. Segan has also represented MIPIM, the largest real estate industry event in existence, held in Cannes, France.
Prior to joining Rubenstein PR, Mr. Segan served as Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Parallel Capital LLC. Taking the company from a corporate startup to 15 offices nationwide, eventually acquired by Fleet Bank, now Bank of America. Mr. Segan also served as Director of Real Estate Investment Banking at Marine Midland Bank, now HSBC.
Early in his career, Mr. Segan served in both public and private sector economic development management roles gaining valuable insight into the urban planning process. Mr. Segan continues to volunteer and organize charitable efforts across New York, most recently supporting New York EMS workers during the pandemic.
Mr. Segan received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a Master of Public Administration from New York University and a Master of Science in City Planning from Pratt Institute and has lectured at the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
Mr. Segan is currently a board member of the Ethiopian School Readiness Initiative. Previously he was on the Advisory Board of the Urban Design Lab of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and the Advisory Board of the New York Institute of Technology's School of Architecture and was an adjunct professor at Rutgers University. Presently Mr. Segan is the Founding Principal at A J Segan Consulting LLC, a bespoke public relations firm based in New York City.
Mr. Segan brings his decades of industry experience and knowledge to support ALISTER’s vision and mission within the educational space and the public eye.
