Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Selected Publications
Languages
Main Areas Of Expertise
Professional Development
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Trinidad ZALDIVAR

Washington

Summary

Development professional with extensive experience in multilateral organizations, focusing on the promotion and implementation of projects in the creative industries across Latin America, and the Caribbean. A leader in the creation of knowledge products in the field of creative industries. Expert in managing art collections and programs, with 35 years of experience in cultural management. Frequent speaker on public policy in the cultural sector. Holder of a Ph.D. In history from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and Université Paris 1, Panthéon-Sorbonne, France. Author of more than 20 publications (books and articles) on cultural history.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work History

Head, Creativity & Culture Unit

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Washington
06.2019 - 04.2025
  • Led knowledge generation in creative industries, focusing on public policy, data, and research in areas such as cities, gender gaps, and public cultural financing across Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • Positioned creative industries as key economic drivers by fostering employment, wealth creation, and social impact.
  • Organized the Bank’s first Regional Policy Dialogue with an intersectoral focus on creative industries.
  • Integrated creative-industry components into IDB operational work, technical cooperation, and lending programs.
  • Re-established the Bank’s collaboration with global cultural bodies—including UNESCO, OECD, UNCTAD, Segib, and OEI—fostering strategic networks.
  • Spearheaded art-and-transformation initiatives that spotlight the value of the IDB Art Collection and used arts as a catalyst for creativity and emerging talent within the organization.

Head, Division of Cultural Affairs, Solidarity & Creativity

IDB
Washington
02.2015 - 05.2019
  • Restructured the division and delivered a refreshed strategic direction integrating culture, creativity, and volunteerism into IDB’s broader mandate.
  • Revitalized the art program and collection, launched a new exhibition hall, and implemented digitalization initiatives.
  • Amplified awareness of creative industries and spearheaded coordinated support efforts with regional countries across knowledge products, events, and cultural financing instruments.

Founding Team Member

Imago Global Grassroots (Imago GG)
Washington
12.2013 - 05.2015
  • Co-founded an NGO dedicated to empowering grassroots organizations serving vulnerable communities.
  • Collaborated with founding members to craft the organization’s mission, vision, strategy, and business plan, and supported its legal incorporation.
  • Continued as a member of its Board of Directors.

Consultant

IDB
Washington
06.2014 - 01.2015
  • Conducted a strategic positioning and identity study for the Division of Cultural Affairs, Solidarity & Creativity.
  • Assessed the division’s scholarship programs (Solidarity and Cultural Development) and developed a strategy aligned with IDB’s institutional priorities, informed by extensive interviews with internal staff and external cultural and philanthropic stakeholders.

Special Assistant, Vice-Presidency for South Asia

World Bank
Washington
07.2012 - 10.2013
  • Supported the Vice President for South Asia in managing change processes under the new World Bank leadership.
  • Contributed to working groups addressing global poverty, shared prosperity goals, and the transformation of the Knowledge and Solutions Bank.
  • Organized workshops, conducted research, and facilitated online knowledge-sharing webinars.

Development Coordinator

OAS Museum, Organization of American States
Washington
01.2009 - 08.2012
  • Designed and executed fundraising plans for art exhibitions, cultural programs, and concerts, tripling the museum’s operational budget.
  • Managed federal fund applications (USA) and developed educational and outreach projects—including an art initiative for Salvadoran migrants in Washington, D.C.
  • Played an active role in strategic planning, social media tool development, and operational analysis for the museum’s growth.

Academic

Universidad Alberto Hurtado
Santiago
06.2005 - 12.2008
  • Established and structured the Manuel Larraín Research Center, gathering historians and theologians around Catholic social thought in late 19th– and early 20th-century Latin America.
  • Organized and funded the center’s first conference and book publication.

Visiting Academic

Various Universities
Santiago, Washington, Mexico City
03.2002 - 11.2008
  • Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in history, cultural heritage management, art history, cultural history, and Chilean economic history across Santiago, Washington, and Mexico City.

Founding Partner

Altavoz Ltda.
Santiago
06.1995 - 11.2004
  • Founded AltaVoz S.A., a publishing company specializing in books on history and art.
  • Developed branding narratives, art exhibition initiatives, and institutional image campaigns for corporate and non-profit clients.

Education

Ph.D. - History

Pontifical Catholic University of Chile / Université Paris 1 Panthéon‑Sorbonne
Chile/France
06.2005

Bachelor’s - History

Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
Chile
06.1995

Skills

  • Initiative and leadership
  • Team collaboration
  • Adaptability under pressure
  • Decision-making skills
  • Creative problem-solving

Selected Publications

  • 2021, Creative industries as a tool for economic recovery and social cohesion, Monograma: Revista Iberoamericana de Cultura y Pensamiento, No. 9, 2021
  • 2020, Creative Industries and the Economic Turnaround: Trends and Challenges, in The Audiovisual Public Policy Landscape in Latin America (Latin-America Training Center & Olsberg, Brazil)
  • 2020, Access to Cultural Activities and the City as a Post-COVID-19 Space of Enjoyment, Ciudad de Buenos Aires Bulletin
  • 2019, The Power of the Orange Economy, Universitaria Magazine (Chile), No. 155
  • 2010, (with Macarena Sánchez) Symbols, Emblems, and Ritual in Nation-Building: The Civic-Republican Festival in Chile, 1810–1830, in Nation and Nationalism in Chile. 19th Century (Gabriel Cid, Alejandro San Francisco, Eds.), Vol. 2, pp. 73–115; Centro de Estudios Bicentenario, Santiago
  • 2009, Economists of the University: A Biography. 1934–2007, University of Chile
  • 2008, Heritage Conservation: A Network in Construction, FOCO, No. 6 (May), Ediciones Lo Castillo, pp. 50–54
  • 2008, Catholic Trade Unionism in the Personality of Fernando Vives Solar, S.J., in Catholic Social Thought in Chile, Ediciones Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Santiago
  • 2008, Neoclassical vs. Baroque: The Civic-Republican Festival as Aesthetic Battlefield, Chile 1810–1830, Proceedings of the IV International Baroque Symposium: The Festivity (La Paz, Bolivia)
  • 2007, Pilgrim Goddess: The Allegory of the Republic and the Crisis of Manuel Montt’s Government in Chile, in The Pilgrim Republic (Carmen Mc-Evoy & Ana María Stuven, Eds.), Centro de Estudios Peruanos, Lima
  • 2007, Municipal Theater of Santiago: 150 Years, edited by the Cultural Corporation of Santiago
  • 2005, Patagonia Logbook, Explora S.A.
  • 2005, Smiles of Memory. The Caricature in Chile: National Imaginary and Political Representation (1858–1891), PhD thesis, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile / Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
  • 2004, Caricature and Painting: The Chilean Case, in Ridiculosa, Brest, 2005
  • 2004, The Role of Monkeys: A Brief Chronicle of a Third of a Century of Caricature Press (1858–1891), in History of the Press in 19th Century Chile, Universidad de Los Andes
  • 2004, The Battle of the Pencils: Caricature and Political Crisis in 19th Century Chile, Proceedings of the Second Art History Conference, Editorial Rial, Santiago
  • 2003, Smiles of Memory: History of Caricature in Chile 1858–1910, Proceedings of the First Art History Conference, Editorial Rial, Santiago
  • 1998, Basques in Chile 1680–1820, Editorial Los Andes, Santiago
  • 1997, (with Isabel Cruz) Sorrowful Goddesses: Civic Allegories, Caricature, and Politics during the 19th Century, Revista Historia, No. 30, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
  • 1997, (with Isabel Cruz) The Caricature Borderline: Criticism and Creation in the Chilean Border Process 1789–1902, Bulletin of the Chilean Academy of History, No. 107
  • 1995, Artistic Mestizaje in Mexican Religious Architecture in the 16th–18th Centuries, Undergraduate thesis for Licenciatura in History, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Languages

Proficient, Native (Castilian), Proficient, Basic

Main Areas Of Expertise

  • Development professional with extensive experience in multilateral organizations, focusing on the promotion and implementation of projects in the creative industries across Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • A leader in the creation of knowledge products in the field of creative industries.
  • Expert in managing art collections and programs, with 25 years of experience in cultural management.
  • Frequent speaker on public policy in the cultural sector.
  • Holder of a Ph.D. in History from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and Université Paris 1, Panthéon-Sorbonne, France.
  • Author of more than 20 publications (books and articles) on cultural history.

Professional Development

  • 2021, Public Policy Analysis, London School of Economics
  • 2019, Digital Transformation in Government: Innovating Public Policy & Service, Harvard University
  • 2019, Cultural Policy and Design Thinking, British Council & Goldsmiths, University of London
  • 2019, Running a Contemporary Gallery, Sotheby’s
  • Fall 2010, Museum Practice, Georgetown University

Languages

English
Professional
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
French
Professional
German
Limited

Timeline

Head, Creativity & Culture Unit

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
06.2019 - 04.2025

Head, Division of Cultural Affairs, Solidarity & Creativity

IDB
02.2015 - 05.2019

Consultant

IDB
06.2014 - 01.2015

Founding Team Member

Imago Global Grassroots (Imago GG)
12.2013 - 05.2015

Special Assistant, Vice-Presidency for South Asia

World Bank
07.2012 - 10.2013

Development Coordinator

OAS Museum, Organization of American States
01.2009 - 08.2012

Academic

Universidad Alberto Hurtado
06.2005 - 12.2008

Visiting Academic

Various Universities
03.2002 - 11.2008

Founding Partner

Altavoz Ltda.
06.1995 - 11.2004

Ph.D. - History

Pontifical Catholic University of Chile / Université Paris 1 Panthéon‑Sorbonne

Bachelor’s - History

Pontifical Catholic University of Chile