We are proud to be part of the growing Deetken Impact team, and are excited to introduce this diverse and talented group of investment professionals. We regularly feature our colleagues in these interview-style profiles so you can get to know them better!
Meet Lucia Echeverria, the Human Resources (HR) Manager at Deetken Impact, who is focused on cultivating organizational culture, developing policies and implementing best practices in compensation and benefits, and the strategic management of human resources. Before joining Deetken Impact, Lucia was a partner at boutique HR firm Factor Humano serving small business and startups, and lectured at Human Resources conferences on topics including compensation, recruitment and selection, labor law, and feedback techniques. She is passionate about supporting teams to achieve common objectives, developing leadership in organizations, and fostering a good work environment for success.
Lucia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and an MBA from Aden Business School in partnership with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona. A native Costa Rican, she is based in San Jose, and speaks Spanish and English.
Tell us about the journey that led you to your current role at Deetken Impact?
Deetken Impact initially brought me on board as a consultant through the company Factor Humano, where I managed the account. After three months, I transitioned to a full-time role to directly support the organization. During my time as a consultant, I noticed that Deetken could significantly benefit from having a dedicated internal HR professional. The team consists of highly skilled individuals who value HR initiatives to enhance performance and appreciate incentives for their outstanding work. I was also drawn to Deetken Impact’s mission of driving social and environmental impact in the region. However, what truly motivated me to join were the Managing Partners—exceptional professionals and even better people. I knew they would serve as mentors and guides for my growth and would empower me to implement HR strategies, without the usual resistance from leadership solely focused on business operations and numbers. At Deetken Impact, there was a clear alignment between people and purpose.
What is your favorite part of the work you do, and why?
The aspect of my job that I enjoy the most is building interpersonal relationships with the team. There are a number of complexities that come with having team members living and working in numerous countries across the Americas, from diverse cultures, and working mostly from home long before a global pandemic made this common practice. The increased need for, and emphasis on, fostering trust, commitment, and a sense of belonging in a dynamic, remote environment has allowed me to be creative, intuitive about people’s challenges, and to put my empathy into practice so that the team members feel confident in relying on me. For example, surveys are one method I use to get to know the team members better, from the names of their partners, children, and pets, to details like food allergies for when we plan group activities, among other things.
With the majority of team members working remotely in 7 different countries, how does this shape your role?
Working with a team spread across the Americas transforms my role as an HR Manager into that of a cultural navigator and connector. I’m not just managing HR; I’m fostering a global community. Each day, I’m challenged to bridge diverse cultures and time zones, creating a unified team that feels connected despite the physical distances. This unique setup pushes me to innovate continuously, ensuring that every team member, regardless of their location, feels seen, valued, and engaged. My role becomes a blend of strategic coordination and personal connection, where empathy, adaptability, and creativity are key to maintaining a strong, cohesive team across borders. One way we do this is by creating opportunities for team members to have one-on-one sessions with different members of the leadership team, in a more informal setting than a performance evaluation. The goal is for their work and performance to be recognized not only by their direct manager, but also by other leaders. This can open up potential opportunities for team members from one area to contribute their knowledge or support to other projects, allowing them to learn about different areas of the organization and connect with other team members.
Lucia enjoys every opportunity to spend time with animals, as pictured here in Floria.
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Although my professional life has been centered around helping people and businesses, I’ve always wanted to work with animals, perhaps at a shelter or in a role that contributes to the safety and well-being of endangered mammal species or those facing health issues. I have a dog named Mesi who is my companion. My favorite animals are gorillas, or monkeys in general. My dream is to celebrate my 50th birthday in a refuge for baby gorillas that need surrogate mothers, and to be one of them.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love reading, but in recent years chronic migraines have made that increasingly difficult for me. So, I made the switch to audiobooks and podcasts. I can spend hours listening to a book, and I often do so while walking through my condo’s beautiful garden, or on my balcony with a strong coffee and scenic view. I spent my mornings listening to podcasts about Costa Rican news with 2 or 3 local podcasters, then I move to Buenos Días America, a podcast of news about the continent and finally I go over to CNN podcasts about the USA and the world. In the afternoons and free time I am a true crime lover. And of course, Trevor Noah´s podcast is a must every Thursday. I also listen to A Slight Change of Plans, a podcast about people overcoming difficult situations and a few others like it. My favorite books are historical novels where I can enjoy a story while learning about the lives and experiences of characters, cities, or countries in different eras, such as Shoot, I’m Already Dead by Julia Navarro or the story of Ingrid Betancourt and her terrible experience of being held captive by the FARC for over seven years.
What is your favorite city/country you have visited, and which is at the top of your bucket list to visit?
As a young mom, it wasn’t easy to travel a lot, but I went to Barcelona for my MBA graduation and loved it. I think the Spanish culture is so rich and interesting that I imagine myself living there in the future. I love the architecture, the food, oh the food, and its history, with all the good and the bad. I would also like to go to other countries in Europe, like Prague and Italy. Every time I watch a movie or a series that is located in either of those countries, I feel like they are calling to me, I can’t explain it. I can picture myself doing an ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ kind of journey – the world is a vast, interesting and beautiful place that is worth getting to know.
You can learn more about Lucia by following her on LinkedIn!
Get to know more about the Deetken Impact Team by checking out the other features in our Meet the Team series!
