Diogo Faria de Oliveira is the Founder and Managing Director of Defining Future Options, an investment, management and advisory company that specializes in services for the water industry. With over 20 years of experience in water management and expertise for both the public and private sectors, he offers international political and strategic business experience, utilities management, engineering and economics. For the firm, conducts business valuation and due diligence, and projects long-term sustainability, cost recovery, risk valuation and negotiation.

After studying Accounting Management at the Centro Interdisciplinar de Formação in Lisbon, Diogo attended the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, where he graduated in Civil Engineering with specialization in Hydraulics and Environment Resources.

In Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo, Spain, Diogo studied how to improving the efficiency and reliability in water distribution systems. Upon pursuing additional specialty courses in International Regulation in the Area of Concrete and Pre-stressed Concrete and Quality and Environment Audit, he went to the United States, where he attended the Executive Management Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Education.

A strategic advisor to governments, regulators and businesses on the best practices in efficient and environmentally conscious use of water, Diogo is a member of the team of specialists that is drafting the International Standards for PPP's in water supply and sanitation at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). He was also appointed as team leader for the drafting of the International Standards for PPP's in water management and flood control. For the Portuguese Ministry of Environment, Diogo is President of the management and support team of the National Strategic Water and Sanitation Plan 2020, and he served on the board of directors as a member and executive director for AQUAPOR for over 14 years.

In 2014, Diogo attended Cambridge University’s Business and Sustainability Programme for executives. From 2010-2015, he was a member of the Board Advisory Council of ERSAR, the National Water Regulator. He is also Member of the National Water Council, and President of the Advisory Board of the Portuguese Association of Environment Companies’, (AEPSA). His work has been international in scope, spanning the countries of Algeria, Cape Verde, Chile, Kuwait, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Oman, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates.

Diogo credits his success to a deep knowledge of the subject and the ability to turn an inefficient, slow developing utility into an efficient, sustainable and environmentally sound water delivery system. He is highly skilled in leadership, negotiation, strategy, project design and establishment, executive management, operational efficiency and stakeholder’s relationship.

Diogo resides in Caparica, Portugal, and speaks fluent English and Portuguese, as well as a working proficiency of Spanish and French. Outside of running his company, he supports the Cystic Fibrosis Society

Worldwide Association of Notable Alumni VIP Member Diogo Faria de Oliveira can be found on the Association Directory, where he is looking forward to networking with you.