Sergio, although fairly young by most standards, has had a 35-year career from newspaper media to public-private partnerships - starting at a young age in publishing and graduating to digital before then finding his way back to brick and mortar; public and private. Building what today is considered some of the most successful platforms, programs, and innovative partnerships – impacting over 1 billion humans in over 100 countries across the globe.
Today, Sergio serves as the Executive Chairman of PVBLIC Foundation and as the Permanent Observer UN Mission of the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America (OIJ). As Chairman of PVBLIC he leads the foundations engagement with Governments from the Vatican to the White House to the United Nations and multinationals; public & private. As Permanent Observer, a UN Ambassador, he leads OIJ diplomatic initiatives and interaction with the United Nations system to take young people’s voices closer to decision making bodies.
Over the last twelve years Sergio has helped launch or played an instrumental role in developing platform and initiatives to advance sustainable development and impact across the globe. From his work at the United Nations helping develop the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) of the SDG Fund at UN, to being one of the founding members of the UN Global Entrepreneurs Council (GEC), to launching programs and initiatives through PVBLIC Foundation, such as; the SDG Media Zone, SDG Lounge, UN Family Office for Sustainable Development, Blockchain Commission, SDG Data Hub & Alliance, to supporting President Obama and the First Lady with the White House’s “Its On Us” & “Drink Up” initiatives, changing policy on sexual abuse and drinking more water to the Vatican supporting Pope Francis’ Scholas Foundation via Transforming Education Donor Fund, as well as many other notable global movements with associated Donor Advised Fund structures to support the investment of development of the various multilateral initiates.
In all his work, Sergio leads the global development and policy work behind structuring Public Private Partnerships (PPP) that embrace social change; making sure the next generation have a seat at the table and that we are using media, data and technology, as the currency, to drive that change.
Sergio throughout his career has served on many public and private boards. Most notably, from 2005-2001 Sergio was the Global Chair of Political Affairs for Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a dynamic, global network of more than 13,000 business owners in 40 countries. In 2011, Sergio Served for the US Small Business Administration as a Board member of the Council on Underserved Communities, to help strengthen competitiveness and sustainability for small businesses led by women, minorities, veterans and tribal groups. He also served in the Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEP) a U.S. State Department-led effort to promote and spur entrepreneurship around the world. From 2014-2017 was the United Nations representative for AIESEC International.
Today Sergio sits on the Grand Magistral Council, as the Grand Information Officer of The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, a charitable and philanthropic Order in 44 jurisdictions in 37 countries; on the Board of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue (AALD) a private diplomatic initiative, which brings together Australian and American leaders from government, enterprise, media, education, and the community advancing bilateral relationship; and lastly on the Board of directors and as Chair of Development Committee of the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino, the only initiative dedicated to the creation of the Smithsonian National American Latino Museum.
Sergio has been celebrated locally & internationally for his work over the last 18 years. Most notably with America’s most distinguished award, the 2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor given to American Immigrants whose life work exemplifies the American Dream. Sergio has been knighted twice; Spain & Ethiopia. Most recently in 2021 he was honored with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia, by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias-Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, for Sergio’s work for the Ethiopian community in helping to secure expanded relations between the Crown Council and the Vatican, with His Highness Pope Francis. He was subsequently awarded the Ethiopian Crown's Victory of Adwa Medal in March 2022.