Hello, I'm Federico Perez
—dedicated to driving innovative
social and environmental impact.
biography
Bio
Since 1994
Federico Perez
Federico is a Colombian entrepreneur, Founder and CEO at Selvitas, Keynote Speaker, Board Member, IUCN Young Changemaker, One Young World Ambassador, and US Department of State Young Leader. From venture capital to spearheading transformative environmental initiatives, his career embodies a blend of technological innovation, policy advocacy, and systemic change. At Selvitas, he's scaling forest restoration across Colombia and integrating smallholder farmers into global value chains. As a National Consultant for the International Trade Centre, he has been instrumental in advancing Colombia's entrepreneurship ecosystem, shaping public policies with widespread sectoral adoption. Academically rooted in development economics (Michigan), supply chain management (MIT), and environmental management (Yale), he is deeply committed to climate action. Advocating for youth and cooperative policy development in Latin America, his goal is to foster sustainable, empathetic leadership and amplify his impact, driving resilient change on a global scale.
updates
COP28
I am delighted to recount my participation in COP28, where I represented YOUNGO, the UN International Trade Centre, and Colombia. This summit marked a pivotal moment, notably with the global commitment to transition away from fossil fuels. A highlight of my involvement was being part of YOUNGO's bilateral meetings team, showcasing Selvitas and advocating for climate resilience and sustainable development in rural communities. Alongside this, a panel discussion with the former president of Colombia offered profound insights into the nexus of environmental policy and governance. This experience represents a significant milestone in my ongoing journey to drive impactful environmental stewardship and influence public policies.
updates
Monaco
I'm honored to have participated in the inaugural Re.Generation Future Leaders Program, an initiative by Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco. As one of ten global young leaders, I spent two enriching weeks in Monaco, with inspiring interactions including an audience with HSH Prince Albert II himself.
This program, filled with training modules, coaching, and insightful master classes, strengthened our leadership and communication skills. We also explored the Côte d'Azur's rich environment. Anticipating the ripple effect our group will create, we aim to be catalysts for systemic change, not just future leaders.
my principles
Purpose
Driven
Guided by a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to making a meaningful, positive impact on society and our environment.
Innovation
Technology
Constantly seeking out innovative ways to address critical global challenges and find creative solutions to problems.
Collaboration
Empathy
Collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, including other entrepreneurs, community, organizations, and government agencies, to achieve my impact goals.
Scalability
Systems Thinking
Committed to finding solutions that can be scaled to achieve broader impact and foster sustainable change.
leadership
Social Enterprise World Forum
Role: Youth Advisory Board
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Role: Board Member, Latin America Branch
Amazon Investor Coalition
Role: Colombia Ambassador
World Economic Forum
Role: Member, #GenerationRestoration Youth Hub.
YOUNGO - UNFCCC
Role: Member, Finance and Markets Working Group
Center for International Forestry Research
Role: Latam Projects Team
UNCTAD
Role: Founder and Director, Youth Action Hub Colombia
International Trade Centre
Role: Advisor, Ye! Community
speaker
UN General Assembly
ECOSOC
USA 🇺🇸
Bloomberg
Zero Summit
Brazil 🇧🇷
United Nations Climate Change Conference
COP28: Panelist at 6 events
UAE 🇦🇪
UNDP: Youth4Climate
Powering Action
Italy 🇮🇹
One Young World
Cross-Sector Collaboration to Tackle the Climate Emergency
Northern Ireland 🇬🇧
Jackson Wild Summit
Wild Conservation Stories
USA 🇺🇸
Ruta N
Innovators Technology Showcase
Colombia 🇨🇴
Institute for Global Economics & Woori Financial Group
Sustainable Finance for a Better World Conference
South Korea 🇰🇷
International Union for Conservation of Nature
IUCN Leaders Forum
South Korea 🇰🇷
Universidad Cooperativa
Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship Summit
Colombia 🇨🇴
fellowships
Jackson wild
2023 Summit Fellow
USA 🇺🇸
one young world
Ambassador and Summit Fellow
UK 🇬🇧
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Re.Generation Future Leaders Fellowship
Monaco 🇲🇨
Yale school of the environment
Three Cairns Fellow
USA 🇺🇸
United States Department of State
Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Fellow
USA 🇺🇸
Royal Academy of Engineering
Leaders in Innovation Fellow
UK 🇬🇧
Westerwelle Foundation
Young Founders Program Fellow
Germany 🇩🇪
Global Leadership Institute
Fellow - Harvard Adaptive Leadership Model
Israel 🇮🇱
scholarships
Yale University
Full Scholarship:
Master of Environmental Management
Georgetown University
Global Competitiveness Leadership Program
INSEAD
Leading with Impact in Times of Change
Oxford University
Youth Climate Training Programme
Harvard Kennedy School
Social Innovation + Change Initiative: Power and Influence for Positive Impact
Colombian Government
Colfuturo Graduate Education
MIT
MIT Professional Education Designing Product Families
University of Chicago
Digital Marketing
Esade & Banco
Santander
Professional Development
MIT
MIT Professional Education Leading Digital Transformation
Michigan State University
Presidential Scholarship
awards
Corantioquia
Generacion BIO+
Organization of American States
53rd General Assembly Youth Delegate
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
2022 Young Changemaker
Hyperledger & Accenture
First prize at the Hyperledger Global Forum Hackathon