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 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 businesses and social enterprises that promote entrepreneurship, provide or improve access to basic services, and have a positive environmental impact. We are not industry specific and we do not champion one social or environmental cause. Rather, we seek-out untapped opportunities for growth in five different sectors that positively impact communities in the Americas.

Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Financing
Women’s empowerment through entrepreneurship
Renewable Energy
Affordable Housing
Healthcare

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

YES! Get Me Started!

We have the power

to do well
while
doing good

YES! Get Me Started!

Years of Experience

Countries Impacted

Investments Completed

Our Team

Deetken Impact Values Diversity

Jose Lamyin

Alexa Blain

Managing Partner

Fernando Alvarado

Erik Wallsten

Carl Black

Chief Investment Officer
Sustainable Energy

Magali Lamyin

Paula Giraldo

Alejandra Revueltas

Portfolio Officer, Adobe Capital

Chad Parsons

Rachel Murphy

Gender & Sustainability Officer

Betsy Gaborit

Mauricio Rincon

Investment Officer
Sustainable Energy

Guido Bellavita

Jorge Beeche

Investment Officer
Sustainable Energy

Kingsley Thomas

Ana Maria Martinez

Didier Alpizar

Lucia Echeverria

Gustavo Méndez

Gabriela Campos

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 Director

Magali leads the communications, marketing and branding strategy at Deetken Impact. She’s passionate about effectively communicating the social and environmental impacts of our investments, and has recently led the revamp of the impact measuring and reporting framework of our renewable energy funds. As a member of the Gender Smart Sub Committee of our Ilu Women’s Empowerment Fund, she has helped develop a comprehensive gender scorecard and leads its implementation across our portfolio of companies. 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 co-led national marketing campaigns for 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).

Jorge Beecher

Investment Officer

Sustainable Energy

Jorge has been involved in the renewable energy industry from an early age. Following the completion of his degree in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa, he moved back to his native Costa Rica to pursue a career in the field. He joined the Project Development team at Mesoamerica Energy, now CMI Energía, the largest independent private producer of one hundred percent renewable energy in Central America. He joined Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy in 2016 and focused on the analysis of investment opportunities for both the H-REFF and CABEF funds throughout the region. Jorge has lead successful investments in Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic as well as investments with a regional scope.

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

Gender & Sustainability Officer

As Deetken’s Gender & Sustainability Officer, Rachel manages the impact framework of the Ilu Women’s Empowerment Fund and leads gender-focused strategic engagements. Her main responsibilities include identifying gender lens investment opportunities, leading capacity-building for project stakeholders, working with portfolio companies to develop gender smart business strategies, leading impact measurement, analysis and reporting, and expanding thought leadership. 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 Partner, Adobe Capital

Erik is 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

Partner, Adobe Capital

Paula is an investment professional with direct experience in structuring quasi-equity (i.e revenue-based financing), equity and debt financing in Latin America. At Adobe Capital she has spearheaded much of the international expansion of the fund, and she is currently focused on investment origination, structuring, and closing. Prior to joining Adobe Capital, 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

Portfolio Officer, Adobe Capital

Alejandra is a financial professional with experience in public and private financial markets. At Adobe Capital she leads the portfolio performance monitoring including relationship and strategic management with portfolio companies. She is also responsible for the investor relations as well as the impact management process. 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 Coordinator

Lucia has worked in HR implementing best practices both as a consultant and as an in-house HR Manager since 2007. She has focused on compensation and benefits as well as the strategic management of human resources. She has lectured at international Human Resources conferences in Costa Rica on topics including compensation, recruitment and selection, labor law, and feedback techniques. Before joining Deetken Impact, she was a partner at an HR boutique firm helping small business and startups implement HR departments to help them reach their goals. She is passionate about supporting teams to achieve common results, developing leadership in organizations, and fostering a good work environment for success.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and an MBA from the Universidad Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona.

Gustavo Méndez

Investment Analyst, Adobe Capital

As an Analyst at Adobe Capital, Gustavo focuses on the analysis made throughout the whole investment process, from the companies’ screening and C-level executives engagement to financial modelling and investment memorandum creation. Prior to Adobe Capital, Gustavo worked as an Impact Investing Analyst at SVX MX, an impact investing advisory firm. During his tenure at SVX MX, Gustavo helped to design capital raising strategies for +8 SMEs, wrote two reports about the financing of midwifery and solar energy companies, and created an introductory-level impact investing course. Gustavo holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from UNAM in Mexico City, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

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.

Our strategic partners

Deetken Impact and ABACO

Deetken Impact and ABACO have been working together since 2008, co-investing in Microfinance and MSMEs opportunities and also working together in technical assistance projects funded by international development banks – IDB, CAF, etc. Learn more by watching this video.

Deekten Impact and Oikocredit

Deetken Impact and Oikocredit share a common mission to provide financial and technical support to organizations in developing economies, promote a healthy impact investor eco-system in Canada and provide investor choice to Canadian investors. Learn more by watching this video.

Deetken Impact and Oikocredit

Deetken Impact and Oikocredit share a common mission to provide financial and technical support to organizations in developing economies, promote a healthy impact investor eco-system in Canada and provide investor choice to Canadian investors. Learn more by watching this video.

Deetken Impact and Pro Mujer

Pro Mujer and Deetken Impact have been partnering to support women’s entrepreneurship in Latin America for the past 7 years. Through both financing and technical assistance, this strategic link between the two organizations started in three countries: Peru, Mexico, and Argentina.

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 and Livecare

Deetken Impact provided venture financing to a pioneering Canadian company, Livecare, that uses eHealth technology to increase access to health care services and empower patients. Livecare’s innovative platform, Livecare ConnectTM, combines medical-grade secure video and text communications, an electronic medical record, and patient-owned personal health information to seamlessly bridge doctors to patients anywhere in the world.

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 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.

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 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.