We work hard to create
hemispheric prosperity
That is no small task
Long story short
Many of us are looking for sound investments. But few find opportunities that truly make a difference, both to our portfolios and to the communities in which we invest.
Deetken Impact is a Canadian impact investing firm, and we offer you both. Our priority is delivering strong, uncorrelated stable returns to our clients. But we differ from other firms in two striking ways:
- One, our focus is geographic. Our mission is to make a social and environmental impact in the Americas, with a deeper focus on investing in Latin America and the Caribbean, a region which — like other emerging markets — is projected to grow at 2x the rate of advanced economies in the next 5 years. Access to capital is necessary to capture and nurture this growth.
- Two, we focus our investments on impact businesses that promote entrepreneurship, provide or improve access to basic services, and strengthen climate resilience. We seek-out untapped opportunities for growth in a diversity of sectors that positively impact communities in the Americas.
Our hands-on approach allows us to provide not only the financial resources that micro, small and medium size businesses in the region need but also the technical assistance required to ensure long-term growth and success.
We have the power
to do well
while
doing good
We have the power
to do well
while
doing good
Years of Experience
Countries Impacted
Investments Completed
Our Team
Deetken Impact Values Diversity
Jose Lamyin
Alexa Blain
Managing Partner
Magali Lamyin
Erik Wallsten
Fernando Alvarado
Carl Black
Chief Investment Officer
Sustainable Energy
Paula Giraldo
Alejandra Revueltas
Senior Portfolio Officer
Alternative Finance
Chad Parsons
Kingsley Thomas
Didier Alpizar
Rachel Murphy
Impact & Gender Officer
Betsy Gaborit
Regina Cuadra
Mauricio Rincon
Investment Officer
Sustainable Energy
Guido Bellavita
Ana Maria Martinez
Maria Jose Guillen
Juan Jardon
Laura Sanz
Lucia Echeverria
Natalia Frini
Heather Van Mil
José Lamyin
Managing Partner
José has extensive experience as a business advisor for clients throughout Canada, Europe and Latin America in mining, telecommunications, and finance. Prior to co-founding The Deetken Group, José worked for Teck Cominco in Peru and Canada and Deutsche Bank in London (UK). José has spearheaded much of the strategic growth of Deetken Asset Management since inception and is currently focused on investment selection.
José received his BS in Engineering from the University of British Columbia and MBA from IESE School of Business (Barcelona). Born in Peru, José is fluent in English and Spanish.
Alexa Blain
Managing Partner
Alexa is responsible for finance, operations and investor relations at Deetken Impact. She brings over 10 years of experience in financial consulting and asset management, with specific expertise in company and investment analysis, business valuation and securities/corporate finance. Prior to joining Deetken, she spent three years with African Alliance, a pan-African financial services group, where she focused on expanding the firm’s retail financial services operations as well as on the origination and negotiation of new capital. In addition, Alexa has six years of asset management experience with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the Macquarie Group and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
Alexa is a CFA Charterholder. She has also completed an MA in Financial Economics and an Honours BA in Economics, both at the University of Toronto.
Fernando Alvarado
Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy, CEO
In his role at Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy, Fernando leads as CEO, General Partner and Investment Advisor of two clean energy and energy efficiency project finance and venture capital funds: Honduras Renewable Energy Financing Facility (H-REFF) and Caribbean Basin Sustainable Energy Fund (CABEF), which he structured and runs with a combined target capitalization of $100m.
Development Investment Banker with 28 years of international credit and investment experience and 18 years of direct experience assessing diversified renewable energy portfolios in Latin America & the Caribbean. He has participated in more than 50 syndicated credit and investment transactions for renewable energy projects in excess of $250 MM. He led the creation, structuring, fundraising, legal closing and portfolio construction of several specialized renewable energy funds.
Costa Rican, based in San Jose, Mr. Alvarado has an MBA in Banking and Finance cum laude from Universidad de Costa Rica.
Carl Black
Chief Investment Officer, Sustainable Energy
Carl is a Portfolio Manager with Deetken Impact focused on analyzing and working with MSMEs, social enterprises, and renewable energy developers in Latin America and the Caribbean. His main responsibilities include supporting business development, managing technical assistance projects, leading investment due diligence, and monitoring portfolio performance. Prior to joining Deetken Impact, Carl worked for five years as a consultant, advising public sector clients an non profits in Canada and financial services companies in Latin America. He started his career at the Bank of Canada, where he researched issues related to household and business credit.
Carl completed an Honours BA in Economics at the University of British Columbia. He also holds an MSc in Economics & Development from the University of Oxford, where he earned distinctions in quantitative and development economics.
Magali Lamyin
Managing Partner
Magali is Managing Partner of Deetken Impact and oversees the impact management and communications strategy at Deetken Impact. She also leads business development efforts for current funds under management and co-leads the strategic development of new funds. She has actively participated in the company’s investment decisions for the past ten years and currently leads the pipeline development for various segments and countries. She is a member of the investment committees of three of Deetken Impact’s five investment funds where among business and financial considerations, she ensures the integration of social, environmental and gender considerations in the investment decision process.
Magali is passionate about advancing gender equality in the region where we invest and has been instrumental in developing the company’s gender-lens investing approach and its implementation across all our investment funds.
Magali brings extensive market intelligence, business development and marketing experience from her work at the Central Bank of Mexico, the Canadian Institute for Market Intelligence, and the IESE-PWC e-Business Centre in Barcelona. She also managed businesses in the hospitality and early childhood education sectors for almost a decade before joining Deetken.
Magali holds a BA in Economics from Mexico’s ITAM and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia.
Betsy Gaborit
Investment Officer
As an Investment Officer at Deetken Impact, Betsy analyses investment opportunities and conducts investment due diligence, monitors portfolio performance, supports business development, technical assistance projects, and impact measurement and management of our portfolio. Her previous experience includes the formulation and execution of projects and finance for more than 10 years with various international organizations including the Interamerican Development Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, and the United Nations Development Programme. She also worked in project development and finance at microfinance institution Fondo para el Desarrollo Solidario, and with the Government of Guatemala in the negotiation and contracting of funds for international cooperation.
Betsy has Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a Master’s in Project Formulation and Evaluation both from University of San Carlos in Guatemala. She is a certified professional in Microfinance Management by the Boulder Institute of Microfinance, and in Lead Risk Management by the PECB group.
Walter Vargas
Senior Investment Officer
Sustainable Energy
Walter has worked as an Investment Officer on renewable energy projects, energy efficiency, and agroindustry companies in Central America and the Caribbean for over ten years. He joined Sustainable Energy Central America in 2015 as part of the business advisory team of HREM and CAREM. Previous work experience includes E+Co and Root Capital, where he became familiar with a variety of investment instruments and also with the Central American Energy sector. While working at E+Co, he identified, assessed and recommended renewable energy investments in Central America for $8 MM. In his work at Root Capital, he identified, assessed
and recommended agribusiness investments in Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, and Mexico for $70 MM.
Costa Rican, based in San Jose, Mr. Vargas has a BA in Business Management and Finance from Universidad Latina de Ciencia y Tecnologia (ULACIT).
Kingsley Thomas
Senior Advisor
Sustainable Energy – Caribbean Office
Kingsley Thomas, a development banker with more than thirty years’ experience in Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean, twenty-one as Chief Executive Officer of leading Caribbean development banks, is a Senior Advisor to Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy based in Kingston, Jamaica.
He brings to the team a wealth of experience in the areas of privatisation, project development, mobilisation of financing, sustainable energy financing, and project monitoring and evaluation. Among his many achievements, he conceptualised, developed and administered the implementation of Jamaica’s and the Caribbean Region’s single largest infrastructure project, Highway 2000 – Jamaica’s first tolled highway utilising the PPP model; Total Estimated Project cost: US$ 850 million. In recognition of Mr. Thomas’ significant contribution to the national economic development of Jamaica, he has been the recipient of several awards among which
are: The Order of Jamaica [then Jamaica’s third highest National Honour], The Gleaner newspaper ‘Man of the Year’ Award 2004 for leadership in projects such as Highway 2000 and their impact on the development of the Jamaican economy and lifestyle, Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD honoris causa), University of Technology (UTECH) Jamaica, and the Jamaica Observer newspaper – Business Leader Award – for outstanding contribution to the public sector.
He has undertaken in recent years several consultancy assignments as a Banking Expert in the Caribbean and has participated in the evaluation of renewable energy projects for the past seven years.
Mr. Thomas has an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from Rutgers University, Graduate School of Business, New Jersey, USA, and a BSc. Economics degree from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
Chad Parsons
Senior Investment Officer
Chad has worked as a consultant in business and technology for 20 years – often helping clients with their business transformation initiatives. He has worked with start-ups, government, and established businesses to further their product and service offerings with a balanced approach. After pursuing a research degree on leveraging technology for social and economic development; Chad has found a valuable alignment of his background with Deetken’s innovative impact investments.
Chad completed a BS in Engineering from the University of British Columbia and has a MSc with distinction from the University of Manchester (UK).
Mauricio Rincon
Investment Officer – Sustainable Energy
Mauricio is an Investment Officer with Deetken impact, where he evaluates new investment opportunities, and participates in due diligence processes mainly focused in the renewable energy sector.
Prior to joining Deetken Impact, Mauricio was Project Finance Manager for Solarcentury, a company focused on the development, construction, financing and operation of large scale PV projects. Previously, he worked for Saavi Energía (formerly Intergen) where he oversaw the financial performance of a portfolio of 680 MW, and for Bloomberg LP, focusing on providing assistance to clients from the energy industry.
Mauricio holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, and an MBA from the EGADE Business School in Mexico, with a double degree in Banking and Investments from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona.
Guido Bellavita
Investment Officer – Sustainable Energy
Guido joined Deetken Impact in 2020 after completing his MBA at the University of Oxford. He focuses on investment due diligence and monitoring of current investments of the Deetken Impact’s Sustainable Energy funds through Latin America and the Caribbean.
Before joining Deetken, Guido worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at a boutique M&A firm where he assisted both buy-side and sell-side acquisitions across Latin America with a combined enterprise value of over US$300 MM. He started his career at Moody’s Analytics working as an offshore analyst in the Equity Research Management Team at one of the top bulge bracket banks.
In addition to his master’s from the University of Oxford, he holds a BA in Economics from the University of Costa Rica, and a specialization in Investment Management from the University of Geneva.
Rachel Murphy
Impact & Gender Officer
As the Impact & Gender Officer, Rachel implements the impact management framework of the Ilu Women’s Empowerment Fund and supports the impact strategy of all Deetken Impact funds. She conducts impact and gender due diligence and monitoring throughout the investment lifecycle, including data collection, analysis, preparation of investment materials, and report development.
To support companies in achieving business and impact goals, Rachel also leads technical assistance engagements with portfolio and pipeline companies across the region, with a specialty in gender-focused engagements and capacity-building for stakeholders. In addition, to support the growth and thought leadership of Deetken Impact, she oversees the implementation of the communications strategy, develops impact-focused content, and cultivates international partnerships.
Rachel brings strong experience in social innovation after leading the design and execution of acceleration programs at Alterna, Central America’s first Center for Social Entrepreneurship, working directly with a diversity of social entrepreneurs and SMEs to drive sustainable growth and maximize impact. She also developed analytical capacities while advising top U.S. and international firms in growth strategy and transactional engagements at L.E.K. Consulting.
Erik Wallsten
Managing Director
Erik was the Founder and Managing Partner of Adobe Capital, one of Latin America’s leading impact investment fund managers and now part of Vancouver-based Deetken Impact. Over the last decade, he has played a catalytic role in the growth of the impact investing sector in Latin America. Before launching Adobe Capital, he worked at various private equity and venture capital funds in Mexico. Erik received an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering with Honors from Universidad Iberoamericana.
Paula Giraldo
Chief Investment Officer, Alternative Finance
Paula is an investment professional with direct experience in structuring quasi-equity (i.e revenue-based financing), equity and debt financing in Latin America. She joined Deetken Impact in 2021 when Adobe Capital and Deetken Impact chartered a joint partnership. At Adobe Capital she spearheaded much of the international expansion of the fund. She is currently focused on investment origination, structuring, and closing. Prior to joining Deetken Impact, Paula worked for Symbiotics, a leading investment firm focused on microfinance institutions, where she managed one of the top three investment portfolios. Paula has vast knowledge in impact investing and economic development. She serves as Board Member at WeInvest LatAm, a community of women with decision making power in Venture Capital and Private Equity. She also serves as Board Member at AMEXCAP in addition to several companies: Universidad Kuepa (Mexico), Puntored (Colombia) and Rephone (Chile). Paula has a BsC in Business Management from a dual program from Universidad de los Andes in Colombia and Tulane University in the United States, and a Master of Public Administration from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Born in Colombia, Paula is fluent in English and Spanish.
Alejandra Revueltas
Senior Portfolio Officer, Alternative Finance
Alejandra is a financial professional with experience in public and private financial markets. She joined Deetken Impact in 2021 when Adobe Capital and Deetken Impact chartered a joint partnership. At Adobe Capital she led the portfolio performance monitoring including relationship and strategic management with portfolio companies. At Deetken Impact, she is responsible for the investor relations as well as the impact management process for Alternative Finance. Prior to Adobe Capital, Alejandra served as Business Manager Associate at J.P. Morgan Chase in Mexico City, specializing in financial products’ implementation, such as structured notes and investment funds, among others. She has participated in various independent research projects as well as in consulting services while working at Avivar Capital, a U.S.-based SEC registered investment advisory firm focused on managing impact investing portfolios. She also serves as Board Member at some impact-driven companies such as Salauno and Habvita. Alejandra holds a master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California, and a BA in Financial Administration from Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico City, with an International Business certificate from Fudan University in China.
Lucia Echeverria
Human Resources Manager
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and an MBA from the Universidad Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona.
Gabriela Campos
Project Coordinator
Gabriela is Project Coordinator with Deetken Impact, focusing on supporting investments in the renewable energy sector.
Her past experience includes coordinating project management for the Social Progress Imperative Index (SPI) across Latin America – an index to monitor, measure and execute social progress initiatives across Latin America. Prior to that, she did project coordination in the financial and credit card business in South America for three years. Most recently, she was the grant administrator lead for the two Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy Funds (CABEF and HREFF) in sustainability projects in Central America and the Caribbean where she oversaw the USAID grant administration for the renewal energy segments.
Gabriela holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with and post-degree from the INCAE Business School in Nicaragua and an MBA degree from INCAE Business School in Costa Rica.
Maria Jose Guillen
Investment Officer – Alternative Finance
Maria Jose is an Investment Officer at Deetken Impact, where she analyzes investment opportunities and participates in due diligence processes for the Alternative Finance funds. Prior to joining Deetken, she worked at AB-InBev’s innovation hub, Z-Tech, as part of the global data team. Prior to that, she gained operations experience working at a fintech start-up and started her career in consulting.
Maria Jose holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Information Systems from Boston College and a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University.
Regina Cuadra
Investment Officer – Sustainable Energy
Regina joined Deetken Impact as an Investment Officer, where she evaluates new investment opportunities and monitors the current investments for Deetken Impact´s Sustainable Energy funds throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Prior to joining Deetken, Regina served as CFO at Inkia´s Energy subsidiaries located in several Central American countries, where she focused on a broad business scope, specializing in strategic initiatives, asset management, project financing, and business development.
Regina is a Finance Specialist from INCAE Business School. She holds an MBA from EGADE Business School and Universidad America, and a BA degree with a major in finance from Universidad Americana.
Juan Jardon
Investment Officer – Alternative Finance
Juan is an Investment Officer at Deetken Impact, where he analyzes investment opportunities and participates in due diligence processes for the Alternative Finance funds. Prior to joining Deetken Impact, he worked as an Investment Banker at Evercore Partners where he participated in M&A and project finance transactions related to infrastructure and renewables, as well as debt structure projects. He also has experience as an economic adviser in the Mexican Ministry of Finance and the Mexican Ministry of Economy, as well as a Corporate Development Manager at Saavi Energía, analyzing M&A transactions in the energy sector. Furthermore, he recently worked as a Research Collaborator and Teaching Assistant for the Impact Finance Innovations Program at the University of Oxford where he addressed the integration of impact investing, emerging technologies and new types of deal and fund structures in order to understand best practices around emerging deal contracts, fund structures and technologies.
Juan holds a B.A. in Economics with a major in finance from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and an MBA from Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, where he specialized in impact and sustainability investments. After his MBA, he did an internship at The Predistribution Initiative, a multi-stakeholder effort to improve investment structures so that investment teams have stronger incentives for ESG integration and systemic risks, including income inequality and climate change, are addressed.
Natalia Frini
Controller
Natalia is responsible for preparing the financial reports to track the organizations assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liabilities, other related financial and administrative activities and collaborate in responsibilities related to the funds management and reporting.
Prior to joining Deetken Impact, she worked as a financial officer with a non-profit organization that developed natural conservation projects in Central America and the Caribbean.
Natalia is private accountant. She has completed a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and master’s degree in Project Management both from Universidad Latinoaméricana de Ciencias y Tecnología.
Laura Sanz
Analyst – Investment, Enterprise, and Sustainability (INES) Program
Laura is an Analyst at Deetken Impact, where she evaluates investment opportunities and participates in due diligence processes for the Investment, Enterprise and Sustainability (INES) Program.
Prior to joining Deetken Impact, she worked in Costa Rica and was responsible for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects; developing, designing, construction, financing, and operating more than 5MW in Distributed Generation, as well as a large portfolio of HVAC Energy Efficiency Projects.
Previously, she also gained project management experience in Spain, working at Cenit Solar, a renewable energy company where she started her career in solar photovoltaic projects.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Forestry Engineering with a Specialization in Renewable Energy from the Universidad de Valladolid in Spain.
Heather Van Mil
Marketing & Communications Associate
Heather is a marketing & communications professional with more than a decade of experience, who is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) reach their audience through the power of persuasive storytelling. As the Marketing & Communications Associate, Heather works closely with each of the Deetken Impact team members to develop and share engaging content about the company’s work and its meaningful impact, through social media posts, blogs and articles, interviews, photos and videos.
Heather brings strong experience in multiple communications sectors including social media management, content marketing, SEO best practices, and public relations. Before joining Deetken Impact, Heather worked as a social media & marketing consultant for a variety of SMEs in diverse industries.
Ana Maria Martinez
Environmental & Social Analyst – Sustainable Energy
Ana is an Environmental and Social Analyst with Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy. She is responsible for the E&S technical analysis, due diligence execution for renewable energy generation initiatives in the Central American and Caribbean region, and supervision of E & S performance during the construction and operation of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. She is currently responsible for the monitoring, follow-up, and systematizing the E & S impacts of the portfolio investments, within the framework of the SDGs according to the Operating Principles of Impact Management.
Ana has experience in the execution and supervision of Environmental Management Systems in renewable energy projects and infrastructure, under IFC’s Performance Standards for Sustainability, ISO Standards 14001 and 45001, Safety Management Standards and
Occupational Health 18001 (OHSAS), and implementation and supervision of Environmental
and Social Management Systems (ESMS) under IFC’s PS for Sustainability and EPs.
Ana has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and a Master’s degree in Total Quality Management from the Catholic University of Honduras.
Didier Alpizar
Technical Advisor – Sustainable Energy
Didier is the technical advisor for renewable energy and energy efficiency investments for Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy. Since 2016 he has actively participated in the technical analysis of new projects and potential investments both in the preparation of due diligence, monitoring during construction and asset management. He has more than 16 years in the renewable energy sector, both in the planning, evaluation, design and construction of renewable energy projects in Central America and the Caribbean, as well as in important infrastructure projects in the region. Didier is Costa Rican living in Honduras, with an Engineering degree from the University of Costa Rica.
Our strategic partners
Deetken Impact builds lasting partnerships with aligned organizations
Deetken Impact and ABACO
Abaco, one of the two largest credit unions in Peru, has been dedicated to financing small and medium enterprises for over 40 years. Deetken Impact began co-investing with Abaco Credit Union in 2010 with a focus on microfinance, SME financing and social enterprises. Abaco was a founding investor in the first fund managed by Deetken Impact and has provided important financial and advisory support as our business has scaled. Abaco has also provided us with pipeline opportunities and access to its unique network of impact related companies.
Deetken Impact and Pro Mujer
Pro Mujer is a leading women’s development organization that empowers underserved women in Latin America to realize their full potential. Deetken Impact began investing in Pro Mujer in 2012. Since that time, our partnership has deepened to include collaborative management of the Ilu Women’s Empowerment Fund, as well as the joint execution of the Ilu Women’s Empowerment Program to accelerate gender smart business practices at our portfolio companies and build the gender lens investing (GLI) ecosystem in Latin America.
Deetken Impact and USAID
USAID is an international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. Deetken Impact has partnered with USAID to deliver projects that mobilize capital for impact businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean and deepen the social, environmental and gender impacts of our investments, such as the Ilu Women’s Empowerment Program and the Investment, Enterprise, and Sustainability (INES) Program. In addition, USAID has supported the design and incubation of new fund concepts including the Caribbean Basin Sustainable Energy Fund.
Deetken Impact and IDB Lab
Deetken Impact and Climate Investment Funds
Deetken Impact and Optima
Optima has become a leader in both microfinance and SME financing in Central America. Deetken Impact increased its support for Optima by financing the acquisition of Finca El Salvador, thus doubling the footprint of Optima in terms of branches, clients, and rural presence in that country. Deetken Impact is now supporting Optima to mobilize capital and through tailored acceleration projects through the Investment, Enterprise, and Sustainability (INES) Program.
Technical and Social-Environmental Expertise
Based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, our technical team has over 20 years of experience in various aspects of the development and operation of renewable energy projects in the region. They perform project evaluation through technical, environmental and social sustainability performance standards during the due diligence and investment approval process.
Once an investment is approved, they monitor and supervise the construction and operation of the projects, and support the measurement and reporting of social and environmental impact metrics for the life of the investment.
Where does the “Deetken” Name Come From?
Over 20 years ago, the co-founders of the Deetken Group, inspired by the Deetken family’s entrepreneurship, innovation, and devotion to their community, adopted their name and, with it, a commitment to creative problem-solving and positive impact by investing in social enterprises and renewable energy projects supporting the transition to renewable energy and a more just, inclusive and sustainable world. Read the full story here.
Deetken Impact sees tremendous opportunity for attractive double or triple bottom line investments in the impact space especially in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, we actively examine North American opportunities that meet our investment criteria.
We believe that impact investing in Latin America should be accessible to anyone who is looking to invest and who cares about a social or environmental issue. It should not be the exclusive preserve of financial institutions, large companies or high net-worth individuals.
Our strong networks, combined with our proprietary financial and social due diligence methodologies, have provided us with an extensive and diverse pipeline of investment opportunities.
Memberships and Affiliations
