President & CEO

Email: hmendez@woodstockinst.org
Phone: (312) 368-0310 x2026

Horacio Mendez, an experienced executive with expertise in policy, regulation, finance, research, and strategy, is President and CEO of Woodstock Institute. The nationally and locally renowned research and policy nonprofit welcomed its first Latino leader on August 1, 2020.

Mendez brings his insider knowledge of the industry, his track record as an expert researcher, and his sharp policy analysis skills to Woodstock’s extensive research and policy advocacy that seek to address the racial income and wealth gap.

Mendez moved to Chicago from Alameda, California. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Santa Clara University and a Master of Arts in Economics from San Jose State University.  Most recently Mendez was Managing Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for the Americas at MUFG Union Bank.  Prior to that, he held executive positions at Rabobank and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.  He also spent seven years as a Senior Fellow, Economic Opportunities Program, with the Aspen Institute.