Alejandra Y.
Castillo
Chancellor Senior Fellow for Economic Development, Purdue University NW
Alejandra Y. Castillo is a nationally respected policy expert and change agent with more than 20 years of leadership in economic development, public policy, and national service. She served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development under President Biden, where she led the Economic Development Administration during a period of historic federal investment, overseeing $6.8 billion in funding aimed at advancing inclusive growth, regional competitiveness, and emerging technologies critical to U.S. economic and national security.
Ms. Castillo’s work spans three presidential administrations and includes leadership of the Minority Business Development Agency and the YWCA USA. She currently serves as Senior Fellow for Economic Development at Purdue University Northwest and was a 2024 Resident Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics. With a distinguished record of translating national policy into local impact, Ms. Castillo is widely recognized for her strategic vision, commitment to equity, and ability to shape transformative initiatives across sectors.
