E10 S15 Building Tech Ecosystems for Social Impact in Latin America

How can technology catalyze social change—and what does it take to build an ecosystem that truly works for everyone? In this episode, Catalina Escobar Bravo, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of MAKAIA, shares her journey from engineer to nonprofit trailblazer—and the lessons she’s learned driving digital transformation across Latin America.

Why Take a Listen

• Career Transformation: Learn how Catalina pivoted from mechanical engineering to social entrepreneurship, blending technical expertise and global experience to drive change in Latin America.
• Inclusive Innovation: Hear how MAKAIA evolved from a bold idea into an organization empowering more than 100,000 people and 50,000 organizations, closing the digital divide in 27 countries.
• Startup Realities: Gain practical insights into what it takes to launch and grow a nonprofit from scratch, including the importance of listening to communities and pivoting in response to real-world needs.
• Preparing for the Future of Work: Learn actionable strategies for upskilling and adapting in the age of AI—no coding background required.
• Network with Purpose: Explore Catalina Escobar Bravo’s approach to forming genuine, purpose-driven relationships that go beyond transactions to generate sustained impact.

About Catalina Escobar Bravo

Catalina Escobar Bravo is a renowned civil society leader and social entrepreneur, serving as Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of MAKAIA—a Colombian nonprofit transforming social development through technology, cooperation, and innovation. Over the past decade, she has grown MAKAIA from a bold idea into a regional force, supporting hundreds of nonprofits and launching BeTek, MAKAIA’s robust IT training initiative that closes digital skills gaps across Colombia. Before MAKAIA, Catalina Escobar Bravo spent six years at the World Bank, managing web and digital collaboration projects and contributing to the Development Gateway team. She holds a mechanical engineering degree from Universidad EAFIT and an MBA from George Washington University. A Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow, Catalina is recognized for her visionary leadership at the intersection of tech, social innovation, and inclusive development in Latin America.

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