Strengthening Infrastructure Governance Around the World
Juan Alberti
Economist — Infrastructure Governance & Megaprojects
Juan Alberti is a Uruguayan economist who specializes in infrastructure governance and the planning, appraisal and delivery of megaprojects. Alberti earned his degree from the UW Online Master in Infrastructure Planning and Management program in 2014, and went on to complete a Ph.D. in infrastructure planning at University College London in 2025.
His research and practice have been featured in national and international conferences and media outlets, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing evidence-based infrastructure governance worldwide. Here, we talk to Alberti about how the MIPM program gave him the career boost he was looking for.
What do you do in your current role?
I advise multilateral institutions and governments on infrastructure governance, fiscal risks and megaproject planning and appraisal — from early-stage screening and pre-investment through project delivery. My work includes research and peer-reviewed studies, alongside technical assistance missions to countries on infrastructure governance and fiscal-risk management. My experience in this field covers more than 30 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Europe.
How did the MIPM degree help you advance in your career?
In two ways. First, it gave me a rigorous systems view of infrastructure and the practical tools in policy analysis, finance, risk and resilience that I use daily. Second, holding a master’s degree from the UW opened doors to more technical engagements at multilateral institutions. The degree was a clear signal that I could bridge evidence, policy and delivery on complex programs.
Why did you choose the UW program in particular?
Because of the UW’s global reputation and the program’s alignment with public sector and multilateral practice. Working with international organizations, I wanted a degree that was recognized across regions and disciplines.
What specific courses in the MIPM program have been the most useful in your career?
The strategic planning and policy analysis and infrastructure finance courses were pivotal for structuring policies and projects — testing alternatives, incorporating stakeholders, and aligning funding and finance. The sector courses in energy, transportation and water provided breadth to navigate real world constraints and resilience goals.
What was the online experience like for you, taking the program from Uruguay?
Outstanding. The nonresidential format let me keep working while studying at a top U.S. university. The asynchronous content and accessible faculty made time zones a nonissue and built habits I now apply across multi-country teams.
What was your capstone project, and how did it help your career goals?
My capstone examined the pre-investment phase in Latin America and the Caribbean. That work evolved into an Inter-American Development Bank peer reviewed monograph and a broader research line on governance and early stage project preparation. It seeded later publications and invited talks, and it’s been cited by practitioners and media when discussing how to mature pipelines and avoid common pitfalls in appraising infrastructure projects.
What’s next for you?
I’m focusing on advancing practical tools for public investment, megaproject governance, and fiscal-risk analysis. Much of this work involves technical assistance to ministries of finance and planning in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Europe — helping governments strengthen investment-appraisal systems, manage contingent liabilities, and integrate fiscal-risk assessments into budget frameworks.
I expect to continue collaborating with the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and IDB, expanding these engagements across regions, while also teaching, mentoring and speaking on public investment management and infrastructure governance.