Peter Schechter is a Latin Americanist, global policy expert, political strategist, and business leader. Peter is an innovative international strategic thinker who has launched organizations that today are leaders in communications, policy, public affairs, and hospitality.

Schechter was the senior vice president for Strategic Initiatives for the Atlantic Council, a prestigious Washington-based think tank. He took a break from politics to join the Atlantic Council—initially as the founding director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. In just a few years, Peter grew the new Latin America Center to become one of the most prestigious policy destinations on hemispheric affairs. Peter created a more activist and outward-oriented policy center, using new media and targeting non-traditional audiences across diverse geographies and issues.

Schechter spent much of his professional life advising heads of state, political campaigns and business leaders around the globe. He served as the lead consultant on a number of high-stakes elections—in Latin America, Africa and the former Soviet Union. He has advised presidential campaigns in Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil.

He is the co-founder and intellectual author of Immigrant Food, a restaurant company that fuses gastronomy and immigration advocacy. The first Immigrant Food location opened in November 2019 to rave reviews in many leading national and D.C.-based media outlets. There are four Immigrant Foods in the Washington area.

Schechter hosted and produced Altamar, a critically acclaimed global affairs podcast. Guests are policymakers, journalists, and business leaders. Schechter still consults for a small number of high-level clients.

Peter speaks six languages fluently and is a sought-out media voice on global issues – in English as well as for Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian media.

Schechter was an adjunct professor at George Washington University, and is a published author of two novels with Harper Collins: Point of Entry and Pipeline (Newsweek called it “a rip-roaring novel about terrorism, nuclear plots and presidential dating.”) He helped launch, was a Board member and is a long-time investor in Jose Andres’ restaurant group. He co-manages a Virginia goat farm.