Dr. Diego von Vacano focuses on the geopolitics of critical minerals in South America, particularly lithium in Bolivia.

Dr. von Vacano helped the Bolivian government open the first tender for Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) in 2021. He advised US, UK, Asian, and other international firms in their successful initial operations in the lithium sector in Bolivia during 2021-2022. Since November 2025, he has actively promoted the sector working closely with responsible, ministerial-level officials in the new administration of President Rodrigo Paz.

Concurrent with his position at Transnational Strategy Group, he is a professor of politics at Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government. He received his doctorate from Princeton, master’s in economic development from Harvard’s Kennedy School, and BA from the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University. He is originally from La Paz, Bolivia and resides in Washington, D.C.