Theo Torre-de Castro is a program associate for the Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) team. They support the grantmaking team in the development, implementation, and monitoring of strategy.

Theo joined the foundation in 2019 as a program assistant for Creativity and Free Expression, where they supported the work of the journalism and JustFilms portfolios. Prior to their time at Ford, Theo was a fundraising professional and organizer who worked on campaigns for the $15 minimum wage in Massachusetts, ranked-choice voting in Maine, and policing reform nationally. 

They also served as the founding chief development officer for the Feminine Empowerment Movement Slam Festival, an annual festival and poetry slam competition. Theo currently serves as a steering committee member for the New York chapter of Asian American Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy.

Theo received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Simmons University.