Luis Alejandro Gutiérrez

Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Luis Alejandro Gutierrez completed both a Law and an MBA degree before going on to work as a Financial Analyst. After almost a decade working in this area, he decided to leave the rat race in search of more rewarding career opportunities.

This led him to work for a human rights NGO where he worked in project management and raised over one million dollars in funding. While there he was also in charge of financial planning and budgeting. By conducting an analysis of regulations to foreign funding for not-for-profits in Venezuela, he enabled the organization to establish an institutional position thereto.

In 2009 he began a Masters of Ecologically Sustainable Development at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. His studies were focused on the public policy side of sustainable development.

While studying at Murdoch, he also interned in the WWF Australia's Sustainable Urban Design project. His work there involved an analysis of the major barriers to high-density construction in Perth. He compiled his main findings and recommendations into a report used by the WWF in deciding the areas of focus for their policy proposals to government agencies.

He has recently finished his Masters and now calls Fremantle home. He is pursuing a career as policy analyst/researcher with a particular interest in urban and environmental policy.

You can find more details about his academic and professional background at LinkedIn. Or follow him on Twitter, for more up-to-date info on what he's currently up to.