Panel “Impact investing: Driving responsible finance”

Financial inclusion has an undisputed protagonist: the end client. This premise set the stage for the panel “Impact Investing: Driving Responsible Finance” where industry experts analyzed how collaboration among investors, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs can create more sustainable and inclusive development opportunities.

Moderated by Fernando Sánchez Valda, the panel brought together Heidi Achong, Lina María Montoya Madrigal, David Ojeda Yáñez, and Frank García. They shared experiences and insights regarding the role each ecosystem player plays in expanding access to financial services and contributing to community well-being.

One of the most inspiring accounts came from David Ojeda, who highlighted the transformative impact that access to credit can have on families’ economic mobility. “We used to have to count every penny, and everything my family achieved was thanks to credit,” he noted, reminding the audience that behind every loan lie stories of hard work, growth, and resilience.

Meanwhile, Frank García emphasized the importance of collaboration among the sector’s various stakeholders. Using a simple yet powerful metaphor, he stated that while individual progress happens step by step, working together accelerates results and multiplies impact. “When ecosystem players work together, it’s like taking the elevator: we move faster, go further, and achieve greater impact,” he highlighted.

From an impact investing perspective, Heidi Achong underscored the value of maintaining a long-term vision. “Our capital is patient. We step in when many others withdraw, and our greatest achievement is helping families escape the risk of poverty,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of supporting institutions and their clients even in the most challenging circumstances.

Lina Montoya also called for strengthened support for entrepreneurs, who are key players in local economic development. In her remarks, she highlighted the need to build close, long-term relationships that help drive their projects, create jobs, and foster more resilient communities. “We must allow ourselves to dream alongside them, support them consistently, and strengthen a competitive sector that generates jobs and development,” she noted.

Wrapping up the panel, Fernando Sánchez Valda summarized the conversation’s core message: true impact is achieved from connection and ongoing collaboration among the various players in the financial ecosystem. The ability to identify needs, design joint solutions, and create opportunities is what enables the transformation of lives and the expansion of financial inclusion.

The session led to a clear conclusion: responsible finance is built when investors, institutions, and entrepreneurs share a common purpose and work in a coordinated manner to create opportunities that drive people’s economic and social development.