Victor Santiago Pineda

Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda is on the Board of Advisors of RespectAbility. Born in Venezuela and fluent in English and Spanish, he is advising on intersectionality and success for English-as-Second Language Learners with disabilities, inclusive philanthropy and other issues.

The President of World Enabled and the former president of Global Alliance for Accessible Technology and Environments (GAATES), Pineda is a recognized leader in inclusive urban development and human rights. Dr. Pineda serves on the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and serves as the Co-Chair of the Global Network for Disability Inclusive and Accessible Urban Development. He teaches as an Adjunct Professor in City & Regional Planning at University of California, Berkeley. His research explores the theory and practice of inclusive development through urban policy, planning and design. Dr. Pineda’s work helps improve equity based outcomes in urban resilience, inclusion and sustainability.

Previously he held positions as the UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow, Fulbright-Hays Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the World Institute on Disability. He has received numerous grants and awards, including a National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation research grant, Jefferson Award, and the AAPD Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award. Dr. Pineda holds a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles.