Recognized leader in sustainability and entrepreneurship in Latin America and abroad. Entrepreneur and investor in B Corporations. Co-founder of Sistema B. Member of the Board at Colbún (energy), Explora (hospitality), Córpora (family holding) in Chile, and Fundación Bancolombia (finance) in Colombia. 

Maria Emilia has successfully promoted value-added regeneration strategies as a board member of large companies since 2016 and supports research and case studies on regeneration in Latin American companies via Academia B. 

With 25 years of international experience in companies, civil society, and academia, she began her professional life in the conservation of natural resources, leading biodiversity conservation in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy and directing sustainability at Brazilian cosmetics company Natura Cosmeticos. She was the first Vice President of Sustainability at Grupo Nueva, a multinational investment holding company in Latin America. In 2012, after a successful career with multinational companies, Maria Emilia co-founded Sistema B, a new movement of entrepreneurs promoting B Corps, companies that use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems.

Maria Emilia is a purpose-driven entrepreneur dedicated to the idea that business can be a positive agent in building a balanced and sustainable society. She identifies three important characteristics of a successful business: trust, consistency, and transparency and believes that companies must value their workers, building strong relationships and recognizing the importance of the individual as well as the role they place in the workplace. 

She is a 2019 Fellow, Harvard University; considered one of the 30 most influential intellectuals in Latin America in 2017 by EsGlobal; member of the jury, Global Rolex Award 2016. Her writings have appeared in recognized publications and she is a frequent presenter at international seminars and a visiting professor at universities around the world.

Maria has a Law degree from Los Andes University in Bogota and a Masters in Sociology from the New School for Research, New York.