Santiago Peña Palacios was born on November 16, 1978, in Asunción, the capital of the Republic of Paraguay. He is the youngest president in the country’s democratic era to occupy the presidential seat.

President Peña has been married for 25 years to Leticia Ocampos, an architect by profession. He became a father at 18 and has two children, Gonzalo and Costanza.

After earning a degree in Economics from the Catholic University “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción,” he pursued a Master’s in Public Administration at Columbia University in New York, United States.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

He worked at the Central Bank of Paraguay from 2000 to 2009, serving in the Department of Monetary and Financial Studies within the Monetary Studies Management Division and later in the Open Market Operations Department (DOMA). He then joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C., where he worked in the African Department.

Peña was also part of the Industrial Development Fund and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Paraguay before being appointed Minister of Finance.

In academia, he taught as an adjunct professor of Financial Theory at the Catholic University of Asunción (2004) and later as a full professor of Economic Theory (2005). He has published several research papers in the fields of monetary policy and finance.

In 2017, invited by Ecuadorian professor Roberto Izurieta, he served as a visiting professor at the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, where he shared his experience in Paraguayan public administration and supervised the thesis of Geovanny Vicente Romero, CNN columnist and professor at Columbia University.

Economist. Ph.D. in Economics, Master’s in Policy. He has extensive experience in the implementation of public policies. He was Manager of Economic Studies at the Central Bank of Paraguay (2001–2004). He served as Senior Economist for Argentina at the World Bank (2004–2006) in Washington, DC. Later, at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he worked as Senior Economist in the Africa, Europe, and Western Hemisphere departments. Starting in 2011, he was the IMF’s Resident Representative for Brazil and Bolivia. He served as President of the Central Bank of Paraguay from 2013 to 2018.

Carlos Carvallo Spalding assumed the position in September 2023. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Catholic University of Argentina, a Master’s in Macroeconomics, and a specialization in Financial Programming from the Catholic University of Chile, among other advanced studies. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from UNICAMP in Brazil.

Dr. Carvallo has served as a full member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Paraguay, Director of Economic Studies at the Ministry of Finance, and advisor to various public and private institutions. For 15 years, he held technical and managerial positions in international organizations abroad. He has also taught undergraduate and graduate economics courses at universities in Paraguay and overseas and is the author of book chapters and academic articles on economic issues.

Mr. Scriven is the CEO of IDB Invest, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group’s private sector institution. IDB Invest is a multilateral development bank focused on serving its clients and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Latin America and the Caribbean.

A dual Argentine/British citizen, Mr. Scriven was previously Vice President of Corporate Risk and Sustainability at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in addition to other leadership positions. Before joining the IFC, Mr. Scriven was Chief Financial Officer of Banco Hipotecario in Argentina.

During the past two decades, he has concentrated his efforts on promoting the private sector in development. Mr. Scriven holds a Master´s degree in Finance from Universidad del Centro de Estudios Macroeconómicos of Argentina, and a degree in Business Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina.

Orlando Ferreira, a national of Paraguay, is the Chief Finance and Administration Officer of IDB Invest. As the Chief Finance and
Administration Officer, Orlando is responsible for managing the financial resources of IDB Invest. He has deployed successful financial and investment strategies while implementing an annual funding program reaching US$2.8 billion that has positioned IDB Invest as a key Sustainable Bond Issuer.

Before this role, he served as Chief Strategy Officer and Operating Officer. Mr. Ferreira joined the organization as a Senior Advisor to the CEO in 2006 and later held several Division Chief positions.

Orlando is passionate about development and pioneered the first Inter-American Investment Corporation initiative to measure, track, and report on the results of each operation Development Impact and Additionality Scoring System. Also established the first strategic planning framework for the Organization.

He has also served as a member of the Board of Executive Directors of the IDB Group from 1999 to 2005. Before his service at the IDB Group, Mr. Ferreira worked for 15 years in Paraguay's construction, financial, and advisory services sectors.

He holds a degree in economics from the Universidad Nacional de Asunción in Paraguay, a graduate degree in Economics from the same university jointly with Universidad de Santiago de Chile, and a master’s degree in finance from The George Washington University.

Guillermo is currently the Managing Director and Chief of the Corporates Division for IDB Invest where he leads the origination and structuring of investments in the agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism and digital economy sectors totaling +$1.5B per year. He joined the IDB Group in 2019 after spending almost 17 years at the International Finance Corporation, private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, where he held several senior investment and development banking positions as Principal Investment Officer in the Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services & Credit Risk Departments. Guillermo has worked on +150 corporate and project finance transactions, as well as equity and quasi-equity investments in Africa, Asia and Latin America & Caribbean totaling +$4.5B.

Guillermo holds a MSc in Risk Management from New York University (NY, USA), a MBA from Universidad del CEMA (Argentina), and a CPA degree from the Universidad Católica de Cordoba (Argentina).

Swedish entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in managing complex and sustainable industrial projects. He leads the development of a world-class plant in Paraguay, built under the highest environmental standards, and actively promotes bioeconomy and corporate social responsibility. He is the co-founder and Chairman of Paracel S.A. and Director of the Girindus Group, which brings together six companies with over 2,500 employees across the Nordic countries and South America. He also serves on the boards of SilviCapital and SilviPar, is a member of the advisory board for Almi Invest’s GreenTech and Climate funds, and belongs to the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.

Experienced pharmaceutical executive with a strong track record across leading companies such as MSD, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, and Siegfried Rhein. He joined Siegfried Rhein in 2015, advancing through roles in business intelligence and commercial excellence, and currently serves as General Manager of Siegfried Corporation in Paraguay.

Manuela, a U.S. national, joined IFC in 2015 as Senior Manager of the Financial Institutions Group (FIG). She led the coordination of FIG’s global and regional activities, a variety of strategic projects across Vice Presidential Units and Operations in both investment and advisory services, and oversaw the activities of FIG’s Business Operations Support Unit’s middle office.

Prior to joining IFC, Manuela worked in the World Bank Group’s Loan Department as Manager, overseeing lending activities across Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean since 2011. This included managing the Regional Centers in Beijing, Brasília, Chennai, and Manila. She supervised and led teams of senior finance and professional staff responsible for negotiating and implementing development loans and financial support agreements with ministries of finance and other government officials, as well as with country units and task teams across 65 countries.

Before joining the World Bank Group, Manuela was Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. operations of Westpac Banking Corporation, one of Australia’s leading banks. She worked in London, Sydney, and New York, leading the implementation of Westpac’s institutional banking commercial and strategic client-focused projects, including the establishment of its European subsidiary, brokerage, and private equity businesses in the Northern Hemisphere.

Manuela holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of London and an Executive MBA in Finance from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

As of July 2023, she serves as IFC’s Senior Country Manager for Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Professional with extensive experience in multilateral banking, public service, and academia. He served as Alternate Executive Director for Argentina and Haiti at the Inter-American Development Bank (2020–2022) and as Senior Specialist in State Modernization (2009–2016). Between 2016 and 2020, he led citizen security and sustainable development programs at CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. In Argentina, he held positions such as Undersecretary of Coordination and Innovation at the Ministry of Justice, General Manager of PAMI, and elected Legislator for the City of Buenos Aires. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Catholic University of Córdoba and a postgraduate degree in Policy Management and Oversight from FLACSO.

Marisela Alvarenga is a global financial leader with over two decades of experience spanning private banking, capital markets, and multilateral development institutions. Recognized for her strategic vision and execution, she has built a distinguished career driving sustainable finance, financial innovation, and growth across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Currently serving as Managing Director and Division Chief of Financial Institutions at IDB Invest—the private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group—Marisela shapes the institution’s strategic engagement with banks, fintechs, insurers, cooperatives and other financial actors across LAC. She plays a key role in positioning the financial sector as a catalyst for development, championing innovative financing structures and market-building initiatives that mobilize private capital at scale. Her leadership has helped mainstream green, social, and sustainable finance across the region, with a strong emphasis on deepening financial health, supporting women-led businesses, and advancing climate-resilient investments.

Prior to joining the IDB Group, Marisela held senior leadership roles in corporate and investment banking at Citibank and Banco Cuscatlán, including Regional Director for Corporate Finance in Central America. In these roles, she led cross-border transactions and built regional platforms that strengthened access to finance for corporates and institutional clients.

Marisela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from the School of Economics and Business, and an MBA from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, complemented by executive studies at the Otto Beisheim School of Management (WHU) in Germany. She has also completed specialized programs in Impact Investing and Sustainable Finance from leading institutions in the United Kingdom.

Fluent in the language of both markets and mission, Marisela is a sought-after voice on the intersection of finance, sustainability, and innovation. She is passionate about scaling solutions that advance financial health, climate resilience, and inclusive development in emerging markets.

Bachelor of Accounting and Business Administration, Columbia University, Paraguay.

Specialization in Institutional Leadership, 2006, Singapore Institute Haggai International.

Former Vice President of Ganadera Coraje S.A.

Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Coop. Multiactiva Loma Plata Ltda.

Former Manager of the Technical Assistance Department of Record Electric S.A.E.C.A.

Former President of DIRSA.

Marcos César Finkler, a Brazilian national, resides in the district of Carlos Antonio López, in the department of Itapúa. He has been engaged in agriculture for 19 years and has maintained a business relationship with Bancop since 2019.

During the 2023/2024 harvest season, he cultivated soybeans and corn on a total area of 410 hectares, of which 59% are owned and 41% leased. For the 2024/2025 season, he plans to expand his production to 550 hectares (54% owned and 46% leased).

In terms of productivity, his soybean yields have consistently exceeded 3,600 kg/ha in the analyzed seasons. He has also benefited from IDB Invest funds aimed at strengthening food security and is included in the productivity and performance monitoring database.

Elizabeth Robberechts is the Managing Director and Division Chief of Infrastructure and Energy, managing all of IDB Invest’s activities in the energy, transport, water and sanitation, health and education sectors. Her experience includes structuring financings in the energy and transport sectors for operations in Chile, Mexico, Uruguay and Brazil, including for a variety of renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and geothermal projects.

She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Cornell University. Prior to joining the IDB Group, Elizabeth worked as a consultant for the Ministry of Agriculture of Peru, and as an advisor to municipalities and public agencies related to the issuance of over US$5 billion of municipal bonds in the U.S. She was based for three years in the IDB Group office in Santiago, Chile, and is now located in Washington, D.C.

Entrepreneur in the logistics and infrastructure sector, actively involved in Paraguay's road transformation. He promotes efficient, sustainable concession models with a strong territorial impact. He is a member of industrial and transportation associations.

Paraguayan economist and diplomat with a distinguished career in public service. He served as Minister of Finance of Paraguay in 2002 and as Paraguayan General Director of the Itaipú Binational Entity from 2013 to 2018. Throughout his career, he has held senior positions at both the national and international levels, with a strong focus on public finance, sustainable development, regional integration, and multilateral relations.

Alonso Chaverri Suárez, a Costa Rican national, has an extensive career at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). He currently serves as the IDB Group Representative in Paraguay, a position he assumed after working as Senior Operations Advisor to the President of the IDB. Since joining the Bank in 2004, he has accumulated vast experience in development projects, working closely with donors, co-financiers, and government agencies.

As IDB Group Representative in Paraguay, Chaverri Suárez represents the three institutions that make up the Group: the IDB, which has partnered with governments for over 60 years; IDB Invest, which works with the private sector; and IDB Lab, which experiments with innovative ways to foster more inclusive growth.

As Senior Operations Advisor to the President, he contributed to the design of IDB Impact+, a strategic initiative that drives three major transformations across the IDB Group institutions. IDB Impact+ introduces a unified approach that focuses the Group’s work on a shared goal: increasing the impact and scale of results for the countries and people of Latin America and the Caribbean — and, ultimately, for the world. He also led the preparation of high-level meetings between President Ilan Goldfajn and regional and global leaders, and participated in the coordination of complex IDB and IDB Invest operations.

Before joining the Office of the President, Chaverri Suárez served as Lead Counsel in the Sovereign-Guaranteed Operations Division of the IDB’s Legal Department, where he provided legal advice for the preparation and supervision of loans and guarantees in Southern Cone countries, including Paraguay. He also advised on the design and development of new financial products and supported non-reimbursable technical assistance projects and reimbursable advisory services. Earlier in his career, he worked in the Corporate Legal Affairs Division, specializing in negotiating agreements between the IDB and donor or co-financing partners.

Chaverri Suárez earned a Ph.D. in Administrative Law from the Complutense University of Madrid in 2005, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a dissertation on state liability for legislative acts. He previously earned his Law degree from the University of Costa Rica.

His commitment to development and regional well-being is reflected in his stated goal of enhancing the IDB Group’s impact in Paraguay — reducing poverty and inequality, fostering sustainable growth, and improving the country’s capacity to address climate change.