Paula Pelaez leads the Economic Opportunities work at IDB Invest, advancing a more inclusive and sustainable private sector across Latin America and the Caribbean. Her work focuses on shifting market systems and business practices to expand economic opportunity, with emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion. With more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of private sector and international development, Paula partners with companies and financial institutions to address structural barriers, reshape incentives, and embed inclusion into core business and investment decisions. Her expertise spans inclusive finance, sustainability strategy, and the design of innovative financing mechanisms that translate social commitments into measurable outcomes at scale. Paula has worked across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from York University (Canada) and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de los Andes (Colombia).