New Fellows will gain valuable insight into Impact Investing while advancing Food Security Initiatives in Mexico
Jacksonville, FL, and León de los Aldama, MX – August 14, 2024 – The Kirchner Fellowship, an initiative of the Kirchner Impact Foundation, is proud to announce the selection of fellows who will be a part of the sixth cohort (M6) of its Mexico Program. Building on six successful years in Mexico, and ten years overall, the program continues to be a significant force in the investment ecosystem of Mexico, consistently identifying companies and educating students on impact investment. The three fellows selected for this year’s cohort were chosen from a pool of exceptional applicants and will continue the program’s tradition of disruptive innovation regarding investment and capital allocation in the region.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome this new cohort of fellows, whose talent and dedication to improve food security and impact investing in Mexico is undeniable,” mentioned Adrian García, Lead Director of the Kirchner Fellowship Mexico Program. “Each year, we see our fellows making significant strides, and this year will be no different as they bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the table.”
The M6 Fellows will have a unique, real-world learning experience for an academic year, investing real money in a real company, while remaining full-time students at their respective universities. As the program commences, the students will define their investment mandate focused of investing in an early-stage Mexican company solving critical problems in the agriculture and food ecosystem. The 2024-2025 Kirchner Mexico Fellows (M6) are:
Alfonso Pedrero Serrano
Alfonso is pursuing a Master of Science in Sustainable Technology at the Autonomous University of Queretaro, focusing on developing a digital twin for profitable microalgae farming. As the Responsible Sourcing Head for Latin America at Kellanova, he leads programs for Scope 3 GHG emission reduction, human rights verification, and zero-deforestation in the supply chain.“The Kirchner Fellowship is a transformative experience, that will provide valuable learning opportunities and it aligns with my passion for sustainable agriculture and impact investment.”
Itzel Yolotzin López Pacheco
Itzel is a PhD student in Biotechnology at the Tecnológico de Monterrey. Her interests and research focus on the circular economy, climate change, carbon capture, bioremediation of wastewater and emerging contaminants, and the use of microalgae for environmental applications. She has also co-authored several scientific articles in reputable, high-impact peer-reviewed journals. With eighteen published articles, she has garnered over 800 citations, achieving an h-index of 10. “I am honored to be part of the Kirchner Fellowship Mexico Program which will equip me with tools for professional development and the ability to contribute to food security in Latin America.”
Karla Arrazola Ornelas
Karla is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in financial engineering at the Polytechnic University of Pachuca, in Hidalgo, and is currently in her fifth term. She also holds a technical degree in international trade, and enjoys working with small businesses, assisting them in achieving steady growth by implementing new processes and tools to simplify and stabilize their finances. “Being part of the Kirchner Fellowship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, allowing me to make impactful investment decisions and collaborate with a talented team.”
“The most exhilarating aspect of the program’s ongoing evolution is reaching more regions across the country, bringing with it a remarkable diversity of realities, contexts, and perspectives from all over Mexico,” added Hector Martinez, Program Director and CEO of LOOM Capital.
The Mexico programming, is supported by Kirchner Group, key regional partners and private donors. To date it has graduated 17 remarkable fellows who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and passion to make the world a better place.
Kirchner Fellowship
The mission of the Kirchner Fellowship is to strengthen impact investing ecosystems in areas underserved by capital markets through training and empowering a diverse next generation of investors to allocate equity investments into early-stage companies. Through the use of a “real world, real time, real money” model, the Program has proven that it is possible for newly-formed investment teams to become effective capital allocators in a matter of months. www.kirchnerfellowship.com
The Kirchner Fellowship is an initiative of The Kirchner Impact Foundation (501 (c) (3)) one of the “returning arms” of Kirchner Group, that focuses on harnessing the positive power of enterprise to make a difference in addressing some of the most important issues of today. www.kirchnerimpact.com
The Foundation is always looking for like-minded organizations and individuals to help it continue to expand its training Programs and impact. Contact us to learn more or click here to donate now.
Hattie Brown | Co-Manager, Kirchner Impact Foundation | hbrown@kirchnergroup.com
Kirchner Group
Kirchner Group was founded in 1985 as a boutique firm and today operates various subsidiaries, providing advisory services (M&A, assessments, diligence) and operational support (interim management, workouts, turnarounds) as well as asset management (dedicated, portfolio optimization) – all leveraging a proprietary approach that dovetails domain and process expertise.
Throughout the decades Kirchner Group has been internationally recognized for its unique business model centered around creating value while promoting values: “earning while returning”. The firm has also established a reputation for building and rebuilding important business and social paradigms based on its deep entrepreneurial orientation.
Kirchner Group’s clients and partners include early stage to mid-market companies, venture capital and private equity firms as well as family offices and some of the world’s largest insurance companies, commercial banks and institutional investors. www.kirchnergroup.com
Blair Kirchner | Managing Director | bgkirchner@kirchnergroup.com