M. Charito Kruvant is Co-Founder and Chair of Creative Associates International, Inc., a professional and technical services firm that builds capacity for education, civil society, communities in transition, elections and political processes and stabilization and development, among many other efforts. Prior to founding Creative, Charito was a prominent advocate for and designer of the Advisory and Learning Exchange in Washington D.C.'s bilingual education and learning disabled programs. She also founded centers for bilingual education and community development programs in several Central and Latin American countries. Charito is the chair of the Board of Trustees of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Acacia Federal Savings Bank and Calvert Funds for socially responsible investing as well in the board of the Summit Fund of Washington, and of the executive and grants committees of the Venture Philanthropy Partners. Charito is also a member of the Economic Club of Washington D.C. and the Executive Committee of the Federal City Council. She is a former chair of the Advisory Council of the U.S. Small Business Administration - Washington D.C. office. Charito has received numerous awards. Born in Bolivia and raised in Argentina, she went on to receive a bachelor of arts from Colegio Ward in Argentina and a Master of Arts in early childhood development from the University of Maryland. She has been a resident of the Washington D.C. area for more than 35 years.