__Daniel Chavez Moran, the Philanthropist

_Daniel Jesus Chavez Moran has a passion and interest in leadership and social development projects. He is a philanthropist and retired developer of five-star hotels and resorts, golf courses, vacation ownership resorts and tourism infrastructure. As a young man in Mexico some 36 years ago, he dreamt of having a successful international business — a business that delivered luxury vacation dreams for others from all across Latin America, the United States and Canada.

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His degree in civil engineering from the Universidad de Guadalajara helped Daniel Chavez Moran found his company in 1974 at the young age of 22. The Paraiso Mazatlan resort is still one of Grupo Vidanta’s 20 premier destination locations in Latin America.

In 2005, Chavez Moran formally retired from his executive duties and now dedicates his time to his family and other philanthropic activities. Grupo Vidanta is currently managed by a young executive team.

A Better Tomorrow

An accomplished businessman and entrepreneur, Daniel Chavez Moran built his businesses with a reputation for service, quickness in responding to marketplace opportunities, and a respect for the rich cultural heritage of Mexico and Latin America.

Chavez Moran also created Fundación Delia Moran A.C., in 2002, to help disadvantaged children who struggle to merely survive each day. Named in honor of his mother, a teacher who dedicated her life to helping children combat the destructive combination of ignorance and poverty, the foundation has opened cultural and educational centers to provide these children, ages 6 to 12, with medical assistance and opportunities so that they can grow into healthy, contributing adults.

Grupo Vidanta Foundation

The Grupo Vidanta Foundation is a non-profit institution whose primary aim is the promotion of social sciences and culture with a focus on Latin America. The Foundation began in 2005 under the name of Grupo Mayan Foundation. Its present name was adopted May 1, 2008 to better reflect the numerous entities composing the Grupo Vidanta. The Vidanta Foundation is run by its president Roberto Russell.

The Foundation aims to:

• Generate and spread awareness of the factors determining the gap in political, economic and social development that holds Latin America back from the standards of economic growth and welfare that characterize developed countries
• Promote the study of intra-Latin American relations and the strategies to integrate Latin America with the rest of the world
• Actively influence the formulation of public policies designed to strengthen democracy, to promote economic and social development and to reduce social inequality in Latin America.

Headed by Roberto Russell, president, and an international advisory board, the Foundation is entirely self-financed with resources contributed by philanthropic individuals.

The Grupo Vidanta Foundation focuses on three primary areas of activity to achieve its goals:

• Engaging educators, economists and political leaders from the international community in dialogue at seminars and conferences on strategies and projects to support sustainable economic growth in Latin America. Read more >
  
• Recognizing and supporting outstanding projects to reduce poverty, inequality and discrimination in Latin America and the Caribbean though the awarding of prizes and monetary support. Read more >
  
• Publishing books and scholarly research on public policies supporting economic growth and strengthening democracy in Latin America. Read more >
  

Whether in his earlier business dealings or in his founding of the Vidanta Foundation, Daniel Chavez Moran’s passion has been the hallmark of his success.

Sharing that passion with others, inspiring them to not only dream more, but to learn more and to be more, is the fulfillment of a simple dream that began over three decades ago.