Team

Emilio Jácome is an Investment Analyst at Potencia Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage startups and funds across Latin America and the U.S. in education and the future of work. Prior to joining Potencia, he supported deal execution and portfolio operations at Startup Ventures Ecuador, leading due diligence, financial modeling, and a secondary exit.

He also leads research at Startupeable, the most widely followed media platform on startups and venture capital in Spanish-speaking Latin America, where he publishes insights on founder traits, venture dynamics, and market behavior, and built AI-enabled systems to streamline research and interview preparation. Earlier, Emilio co-founded the mental health startup Psiconnect, backed by Start-Up Chile, and was part of the founding team at Makers Fellowship, helping young founders and talent across the region through partnerships with VCs and technology companies. His background also spans growth, business development, and research.

Emilio has had the opportunity to study in multicultural environments across the UK and Ecuador, focusing on Marketing and Psychology. His work is grounded in a long-term commitment to impact and inclusive wealth creation across emerging markets.

Paula Orjuela is an Investment Analyst at Potencia Ventures, where she focuses on identifying and supporting early-stage startups and funds across Latin America that advance education, workforce readiness, and inclusive opportunities.

Her academic journey across LSE, ESADE, and Universidad de los Andes has shaped her perspective on the importance of context in addressing systemic challenges. She also brings experience from large corporate environments, where she developed insights into how the private sector can leverage resources for social development.

At Potencia, Paula emphasizes building networks that amplify regional impact, with a focus on entrepreneurs and communities historically underserved by capital. Her approach to investment analysis goes beyond traditional metrics, prioritizing the potential for each opportunity to drive socioeconomic transformation and expand access to opportunity.

Priscila focuses on operational management and impact venture capital investments at Potencia Ventures. With a background in Electrical Engineering and international experience from KIT University in Germany, she has worked with industry leaders like Bosch, Siemens, and Ericsson, sharpening her technical and problem-solving skills. Priscila has also founded her own company, specializing in creating unforgettable moments through music at weddings, which nurtured her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. In her current role, Priscila applies her passion for innovation and impact to support early-stage startups, driving sustainable and socially responsible investments.

Itali focuses on Occam’s work in Brazil for Potencia Ventures investing in early stage education and employability start ups. Before joining Occam, Itali spent 3 years as Director of Operations at 500 Global in Brazil, designing and managing acceleration programs and expanding her knowledge about investing in early stage startups. In addition, Itali has experience in ESG consulting and social impact lending at SITAWI, as well as experience in trading at HSBC, credit analysis at Standard & Poor’s and M&A at Landmark – Alantra Group. In parallel, she has co-founded 3 social initiatives involving research, activism and the labor market with a focus on women, Afro-Brazilians, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities. In 2018, Itali told her story at TEDx Campinas, in 2020 she was listed among the Emerging Women Investors in Latin America, by LAVCA, and in 2021, she was recognized as one of the 10 most outstanding women in open innovation in Brazil by Future Dojo and B2mamy.

Ana Maria Aristizabal is a Director at Potencia Ventures, where she is Head of Education And Workforce Development Investments. Ana is a leader in impact investing, with deep expertise in education, workforce readiness, and financial inclusion. She is also a faculty member at Columbia University and serves on the board of Village Capital.

An early pioneer in impact investing, Ana Maria has made significant contributions to advancing the field. She has held key roles at BlueOrchard/Bamboo Capital Partners and JFF Ventures, where she led and managed equity and debt investments with a focus on delivering both financial returns and social impact. Her work has spanned diverse markets, industries, and geographies.

With a proven track record in strategy development, partnership building, and organizational growth, Ana Maria has successfully driven transformation across both private and non-profit sectors. As a leader at KIPP Northern California, she directed growth initiatives and advocacy efforts, playing a critical role in expanding access to quality education in underserved communities.

Ana Maria began her career in investment banking at Citi and ABN AMRO, where she executed high-value capital markets and structured finance transactions for infrastructure, government, and multilateral clients. 

She holds an MPA from Columbia University, a Master’s in Education Leadership from the Broad Residency (now at Yale), and a Bachelor’s in Finance from Externado University.

Patrick has been working at the intersection of capital and impact across multiple regions, sectors and asset classes for over 20 years. In addition to leading Potencia Ventures as Managing Director, Patrick is founder and Managing Director of Occam Advisors, an impact investing consultancy that helps manage Potencia Ventures’ activity. Prior to forming Occam Advisors, he was a Principal with Imprint Capital, a leading impact investment advisor to foundations and high net worth families, where he was Head of Strategy as well as lead for the Energy & Environment practice area. Prior to Imprint, he was Program Director for The Lemelson Foundation, where he headed the Foundation’s investments in for-profit and non-profit organizations developing and distributing energy, water, agricultural and health technologies, primarily in the developing world. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, he worked for mission-driven investors in Silicon Valley, including Omidyar Network and Google.org. He started in finance at Barclays Global Investors, where he co-developed the world’s first exchange traded fund risk-optimized to social, environmental and governance factors. He began his career with Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.

Kelly Michel is the Founder and Co-Managing Director of Potencia Ventures. Over two decades, Kelly has been investing in early stage, impact-minded businesses in various emerging economies. In the 2000s, she founded and co-developed Artemisia, a Brazilian support organization for impact business, and co-founded Vox Capital, an impact-oriented Brazilian venture capital firm. She has also been active in board development and strategic planning for a variety of groups.