Author Bio
Isabel Berdeja
Isabel is a Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at IDB Invest, where she joined in 2019. Isabel is responsible for designing and executing advisory services for deals in the financial and corporate institutions sectors. She has led advisory engagements to support clients in their diversity and gender inclusion strategies, with an emphasis on the inclusion of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples throughout the value chain and in the workforce. Before joining the IDB Group, Isabel worked for General Electric in the energy business and at the Pan American Development Foundation in the execution of projects for the development with identity of indigenous peoples. Isabel earned a master's degree in development studies from the Elliott School at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She also has a bachelor's degree from the Universidad Iberoamericana Mexico.
Posts by Isabel Berdeja
Inclusive Procurement 101: How to Integrate Women into Supply Chains
Inclusive supply chains that integrate women suppliers, mainly women-led or -owned SMEs, drive economic growth, employment and business benefits, while creating an opportunity to build partner loyalty and offer new perspectives and ideas for innovation.
The Way Forward: Four Lessons for Women’s Economic Empowerment
Based on the IDB Group’s track record with supporting women’s economic empowerment, here are four overarching lessons with a focus on private sector initiatives. Some may seem obvious at first glance, but there are still many institutions, both public and private, that don’t consider women´s particular needs.
Beyond Words: Success Stories with Gender Impact in IDB Invest Projects
Six months after the launch of one of the first loan programs linked to results and entrepreneur training in Central America, companies owned and led by women are already reporting new access to financing via BAC Credomatic El Salvador.
How Can More Women Business Owners Be Incorporated In Value Chains?
When discussing value chains and gender, we are talking about an environment in which women-owned provider companies do not have the same access as those led by men. Breaking down this asymmetry would mean a real victory for inclusion and development.