Worldfund Expands Brazil, Mexico Operations

Mary Bourque Joins in Newly Created Position to Support Growth

 

NEW YORK, November 23, 2009 - New York-based nonprofit Worldfund, dedicated to fighting poverty in Latin America through education, today announced that former JPMorgan banker Mary Bourque is joining the organization, effective immediately, in the newly created dual role of Chief Financial and Operating Officer. Bourque's appointment will help the organization's expansion into Brazil and Mexico, two of Latin America's largest markets. 

"The growth in the demand for Worldfund programs confirm the critical necessity for better education in Latin America," said Luanne Zurlo, executive director and founder of Worldfund. "Education is increasingly becoming a priority for the boards of companies in the region, as sustainable economic and social development are now, more than ever, a core business mandate. Mary brings impressive private-sector experience and regional knowledge that will further enable our continued and sustained growth."

Bourque is a former Managing Director from JPMorgan Chase, where she most recently held the positions of Co-Head of the Americas Equity Research Department and Head of the Latin America/Emerging Europe Equity Research effort. She will be in charge of critical internal institutional work needed to support substantial growth over the next few years. Specifically, Bourque will expand the work of building and managing effective and streamlined administrative systems -- financial, accounting, legal, IT, HR, and physical infrastructure -- in Brazil, Mexico and the U.S. She will also be involved in strategic planning, evaluation, and professional development initiatives, as well as planning for the expansion of Worldfund's signature training programs for public school teachers and principals in Mexico and Brazil.

"I am thrilled to join Worldfund at a moment when the organization continues expanding amidst the current markets environment generating opportunities for the most needed in Latin America, a region I covered for most of my life and to which I am personally committed," Bourque said. "Following a three-year period as Co-Chair of Worldfund's Board, I will work with the organization's team and partners to generate additional operational and financial efficiencies to expand the reach of our education programs following the organization's mission to fight poverty in the region," the new CFO and COO concluded.

Mary Bourque joined JPMorgan in 1990, and spent several years working in Latin America mergers and acquisitions, and then as an equity analyst covering the Latin conglomerates and oil and gas sectors.  She was Institutional Investor's #1-ranked conglomerates analyst for five consecutive years.  Ms. Bourque holds a BA in Chemistry from Dartmouth College and an MA in International Relations and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

About Worldfund

Worldfund is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to raise the quality and relevance of education in Latin America in order to transform lives and break the cycle of poverty.  Worldfund fulfills its mission through its investment in schools, after-school programs for gifted youth, and teacher and principal training designed in collaboration with organizations such as Dartmouth College and Harvard University.

Founded in 2002, Worldfund has swiftly become the premiere U.S. non-profit devoted exclusively to improving basic pre-K through high school education in Latin America.  Currently Worldfund reaches 86,000 students annually in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Venezuela; and expects to reach 250,000 students annually by 2015. Worldfund is particularly focused on targeting high potential underprivileged children, and instilling critical thinking and key skills that will enable them to study at university and pursue meaningful work. Contributors are corporations and individuals strongly committed to Latin America's social and economic development. In 2009 Worldfund became a fully-registered charity in both Mexico and Brazil. For more information about Worldfund, visit http://www.worldfund.org/.