Rafael Arismendi

Rafael Arismendi is Vice President of Education and Workforce Services (EWS) at Congreso. In this capacity, he oversees the agency’s Children and Youth Services, Adult Education, and Workforce Initiatives Departments, managing a $7M budget for comprehensive education and workforce initiatives within Congreso. EWS oversees the educational and workforce outcomes for more than 4,300 clients, including students in its K-12, GED, Harcum College at Congreso, adult literacy, and workforce training programs.

Mr. Arismendi, a native of Venezuela, built an extensive career as an executive in the private sector before joining Congreso in 2005. Since 2009, he has served as a leader within the EWS division before rising to the Vice President role in November 2017. Mr. Arismendi directed EWS business engagement initiatives which led to countless internship and professional development opportunities for Congreso’s clients.  He was responsible for the design, management and evaluation of Congreso’s successful Learn and Work (LAW) initiative, which directly improved academic performance for hundreds of Philadelphia youth by offering internship opportunities and career exposure, along with academic supports. In addition, he led the agency’s workforce development programs which continue to successfully serve TANF families throughout the city. In his new position as EWS Vice President, he is excited to lend his business acumen and strategic planning expertise to influence systems that affect adults striving for economic self-sufficiency and youth who are in need of education and workforce services.

Mr. Arismendi holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, a Master of Business Administration from Alliance Manchester Business School (UK) and a Master of Science, Metallurgical Engineering from Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela). He has travelled extensively in Europe, Latin America and North America.  He enjoys outdoor adventures and watching movies with his wife, Liliani, and their two young boys, Fabian and Gabriel.