How would you describe your journey? Brief us on the inception story of your career.
I am a Chilean Token Economist, Financial Innovator and Investor based in Italy. My career is constantly evolving, I would describe it as the continuous holistic relationship of internal and open innovation. With studies in economics, public policy, investments, financial markets then I have transitioned to technology, with expertise in blockchain and digital assets innovation. This brought me to specialized in Fintechs and financial innovation. In this way my trajectory converges from economics to financial innovation, rethinking even monetary systems. Today I am recognized as a leading voice in crypto-assets and crypto-economics.
Throughout my career, I have collaborated with research and innovation departments of financial and academic organizations. I have been a multilateral investment banking consultant and have advised private banks, central banks, financial regulators and governments on the implementation of cryptocurrency monetary systems and services. And in turn, I have been a board member in the pension fund industry in Latin America and to publicly traded IoT & cybersecurity companies in Europe and North America.
I have had the opportunity to live and work in the UK, Chile, USA, Spain and Italy, which has allowed me to transform myself into a citizen of the world.
Enlighten us about your role in the organisation you are leading / associated with?
I am founder and CEO of Maqueveq & Co, a consulting firm dedicated to advice on the innovation strategy for digital asset projects.
Currently, I am professor at the course “Web 3.0 and Metaverse: Disruption and Foresight in Business Strategy” in the MBA program at the Pontifical Catholic University in Chile. And in recent years I have been invited as Guest Professor in the most prestigious Business and Extension Schools in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, United States and Italy. In addition, in recent years I am board member of tech listed companies, and I have been a columnist for Latin American Economics and Finance media.
Where do you find inspiration? What motivates you to work harder?
I have always been a woman who constantly challenges and compete with myself in search of my best version. On the one hand, I am passionate about financial innovation and where it is starting to go as a result of the convergence of technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and IoT. This allows redefining complementary monetary systems and linking financial assets with the real economy. In this context, they pose ethical and geopolitical challenges that we have to be aware of and take charge of. What motivates me is to innovate in the financial and economic systems by taking advantage of the technological convergence that is part of this “Digital Renaissance” that will lay the foundations of the productive, economic and social structure of the next era of Digital Revolution.
I am inspired by “rebel” women and men leaders, those who invest in their work and in their personal relationships and who persevere even when the going gets tough. In those who excite and inspire those around them with what they do and what they know. I am inspired by leaders who question and have a different perspective when everyone agrees. For it is precisely these maverick leaders are the ones who change the world with their unconventional views. And in an environment of uncertainty and change that demands more and more innovation and reinvention, we can learn the most from them.
Something that I became more aware of during the pandemic and that motivated me to work harder in those moments of discouragement was the realization that just as I am inspired by women and men who are rebellious leaders, I also inspire others with my rebelliousness. Particularly women in my sector and that it is possible to break our own glass and cement ceilings.
Kindly mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your person.
I have recently been highlighted as one of the TOP 100 Women of the Future in Metaverse & Web3.0 and Bloomberg Linea named it as one of the Crypto Leaders in Latin America in 2021. In addition, among others, I have been awarded in Spain by Grupo Pro Arte y Cultura with the Mayte Spinola Gold Medal for my contribution to cryptoeconomics.
What is the one thing you wish you had known about women in your line of work before you started working?
I wish I had had more role models and access to advice from women leaders who have paved the way for my generation who are tremendously inspiring and full of wisdom in their stories. Having an experienced woman to consult with when you are going through tricky situations allows us to better navigate through different leadership styles and better cope with crucial conversations. Their stories are inspiring and allow us to be certain that it is possible to conquer leadership spaces.
As a woman, what has been the highlight of you career? What are the changes you wish to make for the better in your professional life post-pandemic?
Recognizing myself for my value and capabilities professionally has been my greatest accomplishment these past few years. I have achieved things and leadership position I didn’t even set out to do and my dreams have grown. And with that I have grown as a person and as a Latin American woman living in Europe. Despite my achievements, my story is still in the making and I still have dreams to fulfill, including writing another book.
Brief us on the changes the pandemic brought to your sector and your market. Has the work-culture altered?
The pandemic has been beneficial for the financial innovation sector, increasing interest in various cryptoassets and in the tokenization of the economy. These topics were once primarily the interest of niche groups and are now the main challenge for companies in the traditional global financial system and their regulators. This is accelerating both the adoption and design of a new era of financial assets and monetary systems.
There has been an increased interest of women in participating in the crypto economy, as investors, entrepreneurs and in leadership positions. Notwithstanding the progress in different areas within the ecosystem, there is still a long way to go.
Why is it important to have more women in leadership positions in your industry?
We are in a time of such a profound paradigm shift as a result of technological convergence and it is important that the “Digital Renaissance” we are in is built with the eyes and leadership of men and women alike. This improves the scope of the innovations made and is the way to anticipate, identify and correct biases that may exist both in algorithms and in the data they use.
What words of wisdom/ inspiration/ advice would you offer to the next generation of female leaders?
I would tell them to be “rebels with a cause” who transform the worlds in which they operate. As Francesca Gino defines in her book “Talento Rebelde”, cultivate a taste for novelty, curiosity, perspective, diversity and authenticity. And that even though being a rebellious talent is not easy, as Indira Kempis, Senator of Mexico for Nueva Leon, says: “The woman you are becoming will cost you people, relationships, spaces and material things. Still, choose it above anything else.”
