Louis Soares

Director of the Economic Mobility Program

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Louis Soares is the Director of the Economic Mobility Program. Louis brings more than 15 years of private, nonprofit and public sector experience. He has worked as a nonprofit director, educator, policy analyst, volunteer, and advocate across the fields of workforce, education, and economic development. A leader in workforce development and human capital issues, Louis has published articles and op-eds on workforce and innovation. Prior to joining American Progress, he served as Director of Business Development at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation where he managed Rhode Island’s business attraction, export assistance, government contracting, and small business initiatives from 2003 to 2006. As Director of Education and Training for the Rhode Island Technology Council from 2000–2002, Louis developed and managed a workforce training strategy for a 240-member trade association, which included implementing education-business partnerships at the high school, college, and corporate levels to align with relevant workplace skills. He also was a small business consultant with the U.S. Peace Corps in Romania in 1995 and 1996. Louis brings to us expertise in state strategy and incentives for economic development, adult literacy, and workforce development. He holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics from Brown University. He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, in Alexandria, VA and enjoys travel books.