Maria Antonieta Alcalde Castro commenced as Director General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in early 2026. Widely respected across the sexual and reproductive rights and justice sector, she is a visionary feminist leader who began her career as a youth activist and has spent more than 30 years advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights at every level. Born and raised in Mexico, she brings deep roots in Latin America and the Caribbean, extensive experience in intergovernmental processes and UN negotiations, and a proven track record of movement-building, policy influence, and partnership-building. Prior to joining IPPF, Maria Antonieta served as the Executive Director of Ipas Latin America and Caribbean, where she led critical advances for abortion rights across the region. Maria Antonieta holds a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and a Masters Degree in Public Policy and Gender from La Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) in Argentina.
