Paul T Winfield PhD

Dr. Paul is a digital nomad who has traveled through over 70 countries, while living, working or studying in 12, spread across six continents. He earned his PhD from Tulane University in International Development. His graduate studies were in Budapest, Hungary; Paris, France; Sydney, Australia; Ifrane, Morocco and Nairobi, Kenya. A proven leader with 20+ years experience, Dr. Paul has served a variety of agencies to promote individual and cooperative development. With a gentle spirit, sharp mind, & passion for helping others, he combines the benefits of strategic planning and critical thinking to overcome systemic challenges. He currently splits each year between Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Oakland, California; Valencia, Spain and Cape Town, South Africa (and traveling of course).

Before COVID, Dr. Paul was the Chief Diversity Officer for RESTORE-Louisiana supporting small, disadvantaged, minority owned businesses in a 1.7 billion dollars CBDG funded disaster recovery program. Here Dr. Paul successfully recruited 70+ DEIB contract employees in customer service & case management, managing sourcing, screening, interviewing & onboarding with a focus on disadvantaged populations, Schedule A Federal Hiring Authority, and Section 3 (low income).

Paul's international exposure began with his work for Daewoo Motor America, which took him to Seoul, South Korea. He then went on to study abroad for a year in Helsingør, Denmark at the International People’s College. Paul returned to the US, graduating from Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Paul returned to Europe to earn a Master of Science degree in International Economics and European Studies from Budapest University of Economic Sciences and Public Administration (Budapesti Közgazdaságtudományi és Államigazgatási Egyetem, now Corvinus University). While there, he

studied business in Paris, France at Institut des Hautes Études Économiques et Commerciales (INSEEC) as an Erasmus Scholar.

Paul’s journey next took him to Sydney, Australia where he studied International Relations at Macquarie University. There he was a PACE Scholar (Professional and Community Engagement program), allowing him to study diplomacy at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. At AUI, he organized a one-week conference entitled, "Conflict of Images: Islam and the West," which dealt with one of the most challenging issues of our time. The participants were from 15 countries (Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, the Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States of America), including official, diplomatic representation from five (His Excellency Dr. Gunter Mulack of Germany, His Excellency Akin Algan of Turkey, His Excellency El-Hadj Belharizi, Minister Plenipotentiary of Algeria, Mr. Stephan Bohm of Germany, Martina Heidelberger of the Swiss Embassy, Abla Benslimane & Chad Stephens of the US Embassy).

Paul then returned to the States, where he earned a Master of Science degree in International Development from Tulane University. In so doing, he also managed Student Affairs for a summer institute in Nairobi, Kenya focused on HIV/AIDS Program Monitoring and Evaluation. In this period, and over the next several years, Paul would serve several organizations and companies in Montevideo, Uruguay; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; & Washington D.C. Based in Montevideo, he developed a strategic plan for the non governmental organization, "La Mancha." This center, focused on the power of collaboration, has led many projects for UNICEF throughout South America. As the organization implemented the plan, they experienced significant growth in participation, revenue, and outreach capacity.

In Baton Rouge, working with a small civil engineering firm, he helped take the business from a start-up to a multi-city enterprise with several large federally funded contracts. He also helped incubate a non-profit focused on improving literacy rates in inner-city communities. In Washington, DC, Paul supported another small, disadvantaged business through enhancing contract acquisition efforts. He then led in a College Academic Affairs office, supporting young people in their quest for academic achievement. Additionally, by advocating for quality of life improvements for under-served populations, he had the opportunity to participate in several conferences, even at the White House.

In 2013, Paul returned to Tulane University. This time, to the School of Law to earn his PhD in International Development (awarded 2015). Armed with those experiences, his dissertation examined federal HIV/AIDS policy with an intersectional focus on Black Gay Men (MSM). This research included quantitative analysis of data he collected from 300 participants through Time Location Sampling and Respondent Driven Sampling, as well as qualitative analysis of interviews conducted with White House Directors’ (Jeff Crowley, Dr. Grant Colfax, Douglas Brooks) among others (Dr. Anthony Fauci, Greg Millet, Dr. DeAnn Gruber, Phil Wilson, & Dr. Roxanne Cox-Iyamu).

From there, he enjoyed a year and a half of reading, writing, and living in San Juan, Puerto Rico, while serving as President of the Board at the Beacon of Light Unity church. Due to the unprecedented lack of Federal response, in 2017 he started the campaign LoveCases, a charity organized to take donations directly to the people of Puerto Rico.

Dr. Paul remains an avid learner, currently pursuing fluency in Spanish and French as well as studying more metaphysical practices. As always, Dr. Paul is fully committed to his raison d'etre: the development, empowerment, freedom and respect for HUMANITY, particularly those throughout the LGBT and African diasporas.