René Vargas Martínez, JD is the Vice President for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands at Inclusiv, the leading national network of credit unions dedicated to community development and financial inclusion. In this role, he oversees the design and implementation of regional initiatives, serving as the primary liaison between Inclusiv’s national programs and 95 credit unions and cooperativas across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He leads efforts to adapt programs to local needs, ensuring language accessibility and compliance with regional regulatory frameworks. 

Vargas Martínez holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. He was admitted to the practice of law in Puerto Rico in 2014. Recently, he spearheaded the Puerto Rico CDFI Initiative, which has opened doors for local cooperativas and credit unions to secure public and private funding, including grants from the US Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI). He also led the national expansion of Juntos Avanzamos, an Inclusiv designation recognizing credit unions committed to serving Latino and immigrant communities through affordable, culturally responsive financial services. 

With extensive experience in representation and advocacy, Vargas Martínez previously served as student representative to the Board of Trustees, Academic Senator, and President of the General Student Council at the University of Puerto Rico. He later held the roles of Student Ombudsman and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at UPR’s Río Piedras campus, where he mediated conflicts and managed student services across the university system. Additionally, he brings over eight years of frontline experience in credit union customer service and lending. 
He resides in Lajas, Puerto Rico, with his wife and their rescue dog, Lady. Outside of work, he enjoys walking, hiking, and traveling.