Felipe Galvis

Background

About Felipe Galvis

I grew up in Bogotá during the 1990s and amid a difficult security and economic environment. My parents’ sacrifices and guidance positioned me well to thrive at Gimnasio Vermont, to which I owe a strong foundation and momentum I still benefit from to this day. At 13, I immigrated to Naples, FL, a transformative experience allowed me to come of age in a safe, opportunity-rich community with abundant and accessible athletic spaces and educational institutions. At Barron Collier High, dedicated teachers and public servants patiently expanded my horizons, helping me understand and become part of a new culture and discover that excelling in academics and sports could lead to university scholarships. Earning a full scholarship to NYU Stern was yet another great blessing. There, I learned to live independently, overcame personal setbacks, and grew confident among brilliant peers from diverse backgrounds. My time at Stern honed my ability to adapt and compete on a global stage. My professional journey began at McKinsey, where I traveled across Latin America, advising companies and engaging with colleagues, employees, and communities. McKinsey taught me how to work and deepened my understanding of the region’s systemic challenges—poverty, economic instability, and limited opportunities—and the root causes that keep most of its people in survival mode. Since then, I’ve focused on mission-driven startups. As the first employee at R2, I worked with Roger Teran and Larach to pioneer a market for SMB loans at scale, supporting family businesses across Latin America devastated by pandemic-era closures and lacking access to relief programs like loans while building a healthy portfolio with low NPLs. Currently, at OpenTrade, I’m helping build and distribute the infrastructure that enables Latin Americans to save in US dollars, shielding their earnings from inflation and hyperinflation while materially enhancing their purchasing power. My best work has always been aligned with a passion for eradicating poverty and fostering economic security through private, collaborative efforts and innovative, people-centered solutions.