Though he is proud of his roots as a native Nevadan, Richard has always had an outward-looking perspective. This has led him all around the world in search of meaning in his own life through discovering and assimilating the outlooks and practices of other cultures. He received a BA in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Nevada and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. His graduate studies have fostered an interest in development that begins at the grassroots, utilizing the assets that are present in every single community, no matter how conventionally "poor" they may be. Kiva represents, to him, the very best of this kind of development thinking and he is excited to do his part to facilitate the accomplishment of Kiva's mission of connecting people to alleviate poverty in Costa Rica!