Elsie Vélez Whited The Director of Grants Management is responsible for compliance and financial management of WRI's grants portfolio; negotiates new agreements and/or terms of new agreements and oversight of partner relationships. Ms. Vélez joined WRI in 1993 and previously held financial and administration positions at the Fund for Private Assistance in International Development, Appropriate Technology International, the American Association of Hispanic Certified Public Accountants, the White House, and the U.S. General Accounting Office. Ms. Vélez graduated from the Commercial Institute of Puerto Rico and has over 20 years of experience in finance and administration.