Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Senior Fellow for Economic Development, Purdue University Northwest
Alejandra Y. Castillo is a distinguished leader with over two decades of experience in public service and non-profit sectors, having served in three presidential administrations—Biden, Obama, and Clinton. In January 2025, she joined Purdue University Northwest as Senior Fellow for Economic Development. In Fall 2024, Ms. Castillo was a Resident Fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, where she shared her insights on the intersection of economic development, U.S. competitiveness and national security.
From August 2021 to 2024, appointed by President Biden, Ms. Castillo served as the 23rd U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Unanimously voted by the U.S. Senate, she was the first woman of color to hold this position, leading the Economic Development Administration (EDA) through a period of significant growth. Under her leadership, the EDA implemented over $6.8 billion in federal funding, focusing on transformational, place-based investments to support inclusive and equitable economic growth across the United States.
During this period of unprecedented investment, Ms. Castillo led the design and awarding of Tech Hubs, Good, Jobs and the Build Back Better Programs.
Prior to her role at the EDA, Ms. Castillo was the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA USA, overseeing a network of 210 associations serving 2.2 million women and girls across 46 states and the District of Columbia.
In 2014, under the Obama Administration, Ms. Castillo was appointed as the National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) where she directed efforts that secured financing and capital exceeding $19 billion, creating or retaining over 33,000 jobs, thereby significantly impacting minority business enterprises.
Ms. Castillo’s earlier roles include serving as a Special Advisor to the Under Secretary for the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2008. During the Clinton Administration, she served as a Senior Policy Analyst to the Deputy Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Her academic credentials are equally impressive, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a Master of Arts in Public Policy from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, and a Juris Doctor from American University’s Washington College of Law.
Ms. Castillo’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to economic development, equity, and empowerment, making her a prominent figure in shaping policies that foster inclusive growth and opportunities for all.
