Irene Arias Hofman

Irene Arias Hofman is a founder, investor, and independent board member with over two decades of leadership in global development finance and innovation. From 2018 to 2025, she served as CEO of IDB Lab, the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. Under her leadership, IDB Lab expanded its investments in venture capital funds, fintech companies and other startups generating market returns while keeping a focus on the development challenges across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Prior to IDB Lab, Irene spent 20 years at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, where she held senior executive roles and oversaw a $16 billion portfolio in the financial sector. Her career reflects a deep commitment to leveraging innovation, entrepreneurship, and capital markets to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.