It is with deep sorrow that we note the passing of our dear friend and colleague Luis de la Plaza.

Luis was born in Madrid in 1963. He began a career in finance by obtaining a BA in Economics at the Autonoma Universidad of Madrd, then joining the financial department of IBM. Shortly thereafter, he received a scholarship from El Corte Ingles to pursue an MBA at the University of Michigan. Luis embarked on a fruitful life that led him to work for many prominent financial firms, including JP Morgan, ABN Amro, and the World Bank Treasury.  His relentless pursuit of knowledge led him to earn an MBA in International Economics and Emerging Markets from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). In addition, he obtained a PhD in Economics from the Computense University in Madrid.

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Luis worked in the World Bank Treasury for almost 20 years, advising clients globally on debt and risk management strategies. He was an innovator, always looking to break barriers and serve the needs of his clients, with passion and commitment, and received many awards for his groundbreaking projects.  ​Luis was recognized for his knowledge of history and politics, which he used as a way to connect with people he met. To some, he was a mentor, to others, he was a role model. To many, he was an unconditional friend.

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​Luis lived life to the fullest, every minute of the day. He was a Spaniard ahead of his time and broke barriers by studying and working in the world of international finance. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and colleagues from around the globe.

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