“Catalytic capital unlocks more than sustainability—it restores dignity, deepens agency, and revives ancestral stewardship of the Earth. At HPF, we don’t just fund initiatives; we nourish traditions, uplift Indigenous wisdom, and regenerate ecosystems by blending time‑honored practices with modern innovation.”
Having grown up in the high‑altitude region of Gilgit‑Baltistan, nestled between the Himalayas and Hindukush mountains, Waqar Abbas brings more than 15 years of experience designing and implementing multi-country programs, philanthropic grants, and blended finance vehicles across Asia, Central Asia, and the Americas—often working in fragile, conflict-affected, and Indigenous environments.
Waqar’s leadership spans large-scale, cross-sectoral initiatives funded by USAID, the European Union, Global Affairs Canada, the Aga Khan Development Network, and private-sector partners. He previously served as Finance Minister for the Government of Gilgit‑Baltistan and holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy with a specialization in International Development and Finance from the University of Chicago.
He currently serves as Director of Strategic Programs at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, where he supports the President in advancing organization-wide strategies and oversees the Foundation’s portfolios in impact investing, climate finance, and affordable housing. Before this, Waqar worked with the WHO Foundation’s Global Impact Investing team, structuring catalytic and blended finance solutions for underserved and Indigenous communities around the world.
A passionate advocate for resource mobilization and private-sector-led development, Waqar works to build innovative financial instruments that unlock capital for community-led, nature-based solutions. His lived experience, technical expertise, and commitment to justice and sustainability bring a unique and powerful voice to the Board of Home Planet Fund.