Guillermo Lagarda

Guillermo Lagarda, Anti-Money Laundering and Integrity Specialist in the Institutional Capacity of the State Division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Dr. Guillermo Lagarda Cuevas is a leading economist dedicated to strengthening global financial integrity. His experience spans anti-money laundering (AML), illicit finance prevention, and public sector transparency. In his current role, he leads key technical assistance and training programs for financial intelligence units in Latin America and the Caribbean. He is instrumental in supporting countries to strengthen their regulatory frameworks, align with FATF standards, and implement innovative strategies to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows. Prior to his current role, he served as Chief of Staff and Economic Advisor to the Mexican Minister of Finance, as well as co-Head of Tax Revenue at the same institution. In this senior role, he served as a key liaison with international partners such as IRS Crime, ICE, CBP, FinCEN, OFAC, and regional FIUs, driving strategic initiatives on the global AML and integrity agenda. His academic contributions include serving as a professor and researcher at the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University, where, among other activities, he advised the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on tax reforms and anti-avoidance policies. He holds a PhD in Economics from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in financial economics from ITAM in Mexico.