Paul R. Garrido

Paul R. Garrido

President Larry Cohen personally asked Paul Garrido to join the JNF New England Board of Directors in 2005. Since then, Paul has traveled to Israel, for the first time, on the B’Yachad Mission.

While in Israel, Paul saw first hand the difference that his donations to JNF are making to the land and people of Israel. “When you visit Israel the trip becomes a personal experience, and Israel is no longer an abstract place,” Paul shares. “When you touch the land and soil of Israel it’s such a real feeling.”

Pictured in Photo: Paul receiving plaque at Misgav Am while on the B’Yachad Mission

During the trip, Paul received special recognition at the Misgav Am Security Road on the border of Lebanon. New England donors adopted the Security Road Project from 2004-2006. “Unbeknownst to us, we were standing on the very road that was to be used just weeks later to save the lives of families. What an overwhelming feeling.”

Paul shares that he supports JNF as an organization that’s non-political and non-religious and unilaterally works towards development of the Negev. “JNF understands the future of Israel and that’s the Negev. They also recognize the need that Israel has for water. In America, we don’t fully appreciate that water can be such an important and strategic issue.”

Pictured in Photo: Paul with Richard Jones, the United States Ambassador to Israel

Paul is New England’s first non-Jewish Board Member and is involved with the Wachusett Valley Christian Church. “I’ve always had a tremendous respect for the Jewish people. I am a minority myself and I understand the adversity that Jews have had to overcome.”

Paul’s father was a career ambassador of the Philippines serving under President Cory Aquino at the United Nations in New York. He also served in Peru and Boliva.

Pictured in Photo: Paul Garrido with Elie Wiesel

Paul received his BA degree in Political Science from Columbia University and continued his graduate work at Harvard University. For the past twenty years he has been employed by Merrill Lynch & Co. where he is currently a Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor. Paul’s partner is Jim Atwood, of the Atwood Group, a separately designated group within Merrill Lynch. Their clients include families of The Forbes 400, Chief Executive Officers of Fortune 500 Companies, and Principals in some of our nation's leading Venture Capital firms.

Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Paul was a Corporate Researcher at Harvard Business School where he authored a quarterly report on Mergers & Acquisitions. In addition to JNF, Paul is also involved with the Columbia Club, the Harvard Clubs of Boston and New York City.

Paul is also a member of the Harvard Business School Association of Boston. 

Pictured in Photo: Paul Garrido with Ronald Lauder