Marcela Escobar Arango

Bilingual Business Economist | Ecosystem Builder | Innovation & Entrepreneurship Leader

Bilingual Business Economist with over 20 years of experience driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional economic development through strategic alliances, ecosystem building, and project leadership. Proven track record in mobilizing multimillion-dollar resources, scaling high-impact entrepreneurship programs, and collaborating with global institutions including MIT, Babson College, and Innpulsa. Recognized for successfully connecting public and private sectors to foster sustainable business growth across Latin America.
Now seeking for a fully remot job fully remote leadership role in innovation, entrepreneurship growth or ecosystem development.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Manizales Más. | Executive Director, Manizales, Colombia Jan 2012 – Present
• Design and implement business and sustainability strategies, supporting 171 high-growth companies, mobilizing over USD $5M in resources, and engaging 500+ ecosystem stakeholders.
• Spearhead the region’s participation in the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (REAP), securing Caldas as the only Colombian region selected.
• Support companies in achieving an average 41% increase in sales (USD $94M total) and over 3,000 new jobs.
• Represent Manizales Más globally, presenting its innovation model at the World Entrepreneurship Congress (Turkey) and in eight other countries.
• Lead the Business Mentoring Program, training 130+ mentors from major organizations (e.g., Argos, Fundación Bancolombia, CHEC EPM).
• Design and implement the region’s first Open Innovation Program, connecting corporations with startup solutions and delivering four strategic innovation outcomes.
• Manage a 13-member public-private alliance for over 12 years, ensuring sustainable collaboration and impact.
• Direct strategic alliances with 14 key actors and over 500 volunteers in a major SME-focused development initiative.
• Build partnerships with national and international institutions including Innpulsa, Findeter, MIT, and Babson College.
• Develop financial, operational, and marketing strategies to ensure organizational sustainability and ecosystem knowledge sharing.
SENA | Technology Park Manager, Manizales, Colombia Mar 2010 - Dec 2011
• Educated large companies, universities, and industry associations on creating innovation projects aligned with sector needs.
• Led a team that supported 100 businesses in tech and biotech sectors through business development and prototyping.
Red Caldas Emprendedora | Director, Manizales, Colombia July 2004-Sept 2007
• Established and led a network of 20+ public and private partners, delivering microcredit, technical support, and training to 6,000+ small business owners.
• Secured and managed USD $50,000 in Fomipyme funding to enhance operations of 10 regional food companies.
• Supported development of 150 business plans, enabling access to major supermarket supply chains.
• Led the creation of ParqueSoft Manizales, a technology business incubator.
• Provided commercial and administrative support to 27 innovative tech startups.

EDUCATION
International MBA -- EAE Universidad Politécnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. Sept 2008. – Feb 2009
• Awarded Excellence Scholarship by Fundación EAE
Bachelor’s Degree in Economics -- Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Colombia June 1999-July 2004
• Graduated with Honors | Thesis with Honors

LANGUAGES
Spanish (Native) & English (Proficient)

CORE COMPETENCIES
Strategic Alliances • Ecosystem Building • Innovation Management • Entrepreneurship Development • Project Leadership • Public-Private Partnerships • Business Growth Strategy • Stakeholder Engagement • Economic Development • International Collaboration • Public Speaking