Giovanni Cozzarelli is a senior finance executive with experience in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. For the last 12 years, he was the CFO of Advancement Project which is a multiracial civil rights organization that works in eliminating barriers to voting, dismantling system that criminalize and incarcerate people of color in the name of “law and order”, and reforming schools code of conduct to avoid that students enter the School-to-Prison Pipeline.

In the non-profit sector, Giovanni was formerly the CFO and Acting CEO for the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, Executive Director of the Loudoun County Small Business Development Center, and Program Director of Finca International where he managed a 20-country micro lending operation with offices in Latin America, Africa, and countries of the former Soviet Union.

In the for-profit sector, he was the CFO of the start-up Mexican Operation of the 6th largest US grocery Company. His responsibilities included the preparation of the strategic plan. This company was searching for the next $500 million in sales. Currently that Mexican Operation exceeded the $1 billion in sales. Before, he was the Vice President of the International Department of a regional US bank.

Giovanni is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he received his Masters in Economics and a Certificate on Latin American Studies; he has a Bachelor degree from the Catholic University in Ecuador. In addition, he has a Certificate in Accounting from NOVA, and a Banking Administration Certificate from Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Giovanni is married and has two grown-up children. His wife is from Brazil; they met in Athens, Greece when they were members of an international student organization. Last year, he became the grandfather of a little girl whose parents live in Pittsburgh. His hobbies include running, Zumba, and spinning. He travelled extensively for pleasure and business and has visited over 50 countries.