Grinnell Alum Elevates Community Agency in Financial Decision-Making
abdiel j. lópez (who styles his name in lowercase), is a Grinnell College Posse alum who has dedicated his career to building economic power and self-determination for frontline communities. With a background in art history and sociology, he approaches his work with a systems-level perspective—challenging traditional paradigms and redirecting capital toward reparative and transformative models.
After graduating from Grinnell, abdiel initially planned to pursue a Ph.D. Instead, he returned to Los Angeles and secured an internship at the Getty. There, he formed meaningful connections that encouraged him to think creatively and ultimately led him to move abroad. Relocating to Mexico City, he landed a job at an art gallery. Though immersed in the formal art world, abdiel quickly saw the financial barriers artists and communities face—prompting his pivot toward philanthropy and economic justice.
Posse helped me see alternatives and understand that there are many different ways to do things.
Since then, he has worked with numerous organizations focused on equitable development. His efforts culminated in co-authoring the Just Transition Investing Framework and helping to establish a $20 million community-controlled fund.
“We are telling funders not to put terms on the communities. We empower the community to decide where the funding goes,” abdiel says.
His work centers on aligning capital with the values and needs of frontline communities—ensuring wealth and resources are distributed in ways that foster collective ownership and long-term sustainability. Now, as director of the Just Transition Academy, he partners with funders to rethink traditional investment strategies and champion community-led solutions.
abdiel’s vision is rooted in tequio—a Oaxacan tradition of collective labor for communal benefit—an ethos he seeks to embed into modern economic structures.
Beyond the systemic work, abdiel is passionate about shifting cultural narratives around wealth.
“I want to see ways that not just individuals can build wealth—but communities,” he says.
He points to the East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative (EB PREC) as a model: When a building is listed for sale, EB PREC raises capital through impact investors, grants, and community members to purchase it—allowing renters to become collective owners.
There are so many different paths to success, and your journey might not look like anyone else’s—and that’s okay.
“I want to see more of these funds treated as investments, so that we can build wealth communally and collectively.”
Watching funders move from initial curiosity to fully embracing alternative economic models gives him hope.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing people come to their own realization and break the rules of traditional philanthropy,” abdiel says.
Reflecting on his Posse experience, he credits the program with shaping his leadership and critical thinking.
“Posse helped me see alternatives and understand that there are many different ways to do things,” says abdiel. “The interview process assessed our ability to think critically, and that skill stays with me today. Posse contributed to my social intelligence and curiosity.”
To current and future Posse Scholars, abdiel offers this advice: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Check in with yourself. There are so many different paths to success, and your journey might not look like anyone else’s—and that’s okay.”
