Founder
Joseph Fernandez is the founder of Trade Without Borders (TWB). Joseph uniquely combines decades of experience in all aspects of global trade, including manufacturing, with an in-depth understanding of developing regions of the world. Joseph is a former U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer who served in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Prior to founding Trade Without Borders, Joseph provided global trading services to an international clientele from his base in Hong Kong, including Big Box retailers such as Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Tesco and major importers such as Bajaj Electricals in India and Sojitz, a major trading house, in Japan.
Joseph was motivated to establish Trade Without Borders when he realized that most new products were designed and manufactured for developed regions of the world while the need for even basic necessities that were affordable and appropriate for developing regions of the world often did not exist. Rather than follow a traditional NGO model based on donations and one-off product shipments, Joseph was keen to ensure that the supply of essential products and services would be both sustainable and inclusive.
Joseph was born in South Asia, spent his formative years in the United States, and after completing his university studies at the University of Texas at Austin (BA) and Thunderbird, School of Global Management (MBA), Joseph has been primarily based in Asia, where he also completed an MSc in Business Information Technology.
Senior Administrator
With over 15 years of leadership in international development, Yvan Castro has managed a portfolio of more than 35 projects, valued at over $310 million, across Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. His extensive experience covers education, economic development, food security, disaster risk reduction, and civil society strengthening.
A skilled leader in fostering collaboration with governments, civil society, and global donors, Yvan has successfully navigated complex projects with organizations such as USAID, USDA, BHA, and others. He is also a recognized Compliance Champion, adept at managing global and national regulations.
In addition to project management, Yvan Castro is a seasoned professor and trainer in business development and proposal writing, with a strong focus on building consensus and ensuring impactful, sustainable development. Holding advanced degrees in International Development (MSA), Marketing (MSc), and a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, he is committed to using his knowledge and expertise to drive positive change.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to live in and travel to around 40 countries and territories around the world. I’ve stayed in the finest 5-star hotels in the world and lived in a rural African village where a mud hut with a thatched grass roof and no running water or electricity was home for two years. Having lived in Hong Kong since before its Handover to Mainland China, I have witnessed first-hand the benefits of economic growth and the challenges with economic development. Through TWB, in some small way, I hope to contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development in more regions of the world.
At Trade Without Borders, I am dedicated to empowering local enterprises and communities with practical solutions like clean cooking, safe water, energy access, digital infrastructure, and humanitarian aid. Through these efforts, we are improving lives and contributing to a healthier environment by reducing emissions. I’m proud to be part of this mission and invite you to join us in making a lasting difference for those in need.