Vlasta MACKU has been in charge of the Virtual Institute project since its inception. She would like to see the Vi and its members work collaboratively to deliver locally relevant up-to-date academic programmes in the area of international trade and development, to make teaching stimulating and effective, and to underpin it with original research. She has a PhD in economics/international trade, teaching and research experience at the university level (international economics, development economics, international finance, trade policy, regional integration) and has been working with UNCTAD since 1993 on research (commodities, environmental policies and environment friendly products) and technical cooperation assignments (heading the Trade Point Programme - support to SMEs in export/import efforts using ICTs). She also worked with the UN Economic Commission for Europe on e-commerce and trade facilitation issues and related technical cooperation projects. She is responsible for defining the strategy of the programme, its services and projects, for managing its implementation in cooperation with the Vi team, and for overall contacts with Vi members and partners.

Susana OLIVARES Susana's background includes expertise in the domains of communication, education and web technology. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Journalism, an Associate of Arts in Communication, a bilingual education teaching certificate and master coursework in education. Susana joined the Virtual Institute team in July, 2006, after managing websites and developing distance learning courses at Vi’s sister programme, TrainForTrade. Before joining UNCTAD in 2003, she was webmaster of IUCN-The World Conservation Union, owner of a web development company, editor of the digital edition of a large U.S. daily newspaper, and a teacher. In the Vi, she is responsible for the programme's website, the Vi newsletter and is a focal point for contact with Vi associate members.

Cristian UGARTE joined the UNCTAD Virtual Institute in June 2012. He has graduate and undergraduate degrees in econometrics, and is currently completing a PhD in development economics at the University of Geneva. In addition to research and teaching, his professional experience includes conulting on issues related to microfinance, poverty, trade, competitiveness, growth, and development for the World Bank, the International Labour Organization and the African Development Bank.