Luis Javier Castro

Luis Javier Castro defines himself as an entrepreneur and activist. He is the founder and CEO of Mesoamérica Investments, a private equity firm from where he has lead investments across Latin America over the last 25 years in fields such as renewable energy, telecommunications, restaurants, and the dairy industry, among others, with world-class partners such as OTPP, Actis, Bain Capital and large business groups in the region.

Castro is a member of the Board of Directors of Grupo de Energía de Bogotá and Codensa, as well as of different companies in Mesoamerica’s portfolio. He is the Founder of Yo Emprendedor, an NGO dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship in Central America, and President Emeritus of AED (Alianza Empresarial para el Desarrollo), an organization that he presided over for 10 years and brings together more than 150 companies in search of a more prosperous, inclusive and respectful environment.

He is a fellow of the Aspen Institute, a member of YPO, a member of the acquisition committee of Tate Modern and participates in multiple boards of development organizations. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the largest NGO in the world, with a budget of $5 billion a year, United Way Worldwide. He is also a member of G50 group.

El Financiero, a major newspaper in Costa Rica, has twice named him Businessman of the Year.

Role at the Dialogue: Event Speaker