Spring Party 2009: Americas Society Honors Roger Agnelli, Alberto Baillères, and Luis Alberto Moreno

Americas Society is pleased to announce its 2009 Gold Medal recipients, honored June 15 at the 29th Annual Spring Party, held at Cipriani Wall Street. Honorees included Roger Agnelli, Alberto Baillères, and Luis Alberto Moreno, who were selected for their creative and philanthropic contributions to the arts, education, and social initiatives within the Americas.

Roger Agnelli is the president and CEO of Vale, the second-largest diversified mining company in the world. Headquartered in Brazil, the company is present in more than 30 countries. Vale’s mission is to transform mineral resources into wealth and sustainable development. Under Agnelli’s management, Vale has placed increasing importance on sustainability, balancing investments in the economic, social and environmental spheres. Agnelli serves as board member and advisor to various companies and public organizations in Brazil and abroad. He is a member of the Board of Directors of ABB Ltd, a member of the International Advisory Investment Council to the President of the Republic of Mozambique, and a member of the International Advisory Committee of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), among others.

Alberto Baillères is executive president and chairman of the board of a group of five premier Mexico-based organizations, involved in mining, retail, insurance, pensions, brokerage and agro-industries which form Grupo Bal, founded by him in 1973. For more than 40 years, through his financial support and guidance of the Governing Council of the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), the institute has become one of the most prestigious universities in LatinAmerica in the fields of economics, business and law. Using his disciplined approach, love of culture and active participation in philanthropic organizations involved with local health issues, supporting young writers, and focusing on improving the quality of the private and public education system, he has a leading role in Mexico’s development. The
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), celebrating its 50th anniversary, is headed by its president, Luis Alberto Moreno, former Ambassador of Colombia to the U.S. Since its inception, the IDB has promoted sustainable development throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, partnering with governments, companies and civil society organizations. The IDB is the main source of development financing in the region, with projects devoted to improve key areas such as poverty reduction, education, agriculture, infrastructure and public sector reform. Moreover, the IDB also offers advice and technical support to the countries, assisting them in their growth efforts. IDB clients range from central governments to city authorities and small businesses.