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KaszeK Ventures Co-Founder Nicolás Szekasy Appointed to LAVCA Chair
BlackRock & L Catterton Join LAVCA Board
New York, January 21, 2021 – LAVCA, the Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America, today announced that Nicolás Szekasy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of KaszeK Ventures, was appointed to the position of Board Chair. In addition, Juan Alberto Leautaud, Managing Director and Head of BlackRock’s Latin America Infrastructure Investment Group, and Dirk Donath, Managing Partner at L Catterton, joined the LAVCA Board.
Prior to founding KaszeK Ventures, one of the largest VCs in Latin America with over US$1b capital raised, Szekasy was CFO at MercadoLibre (Nasdaq: MELI) where he led its US$333 million IPO in 2007. He sits on a number of boards globally, including several of Latin America’s tech unicorns.
Leautaud leads BlackRock’s Latin America Infrastructure Investment Group with approximately US$1b of equity commitments under management. He was former Co-Founder and CEO of infrastructure investment manager I Cuadrada (I2) and previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Mexico Retail Properties.
Donath joins LAVCA’s Board subsequent to L Catterton’s recent exit of Mexico’s Cholula via a US$800m sale to McCormick & Company. Prior to his current role, Donath held positions at Eton Park Capital Management and was a Founding Partner of Pegasus Capital.
“Nicolás’ work in VC and tech is an outstanding example of some of the transformational opportunities we are seeing across Latin America,” said Ivonne Cuello, CEO of LAVCA. “Combined with the additions of Juan Alberto, a leader in real assets investing, and Dirk who brings a deep track record in consumer private equity deals, the LAVCA Board is a true reflection of the evolving landscape for private capital in the region. We are excited to have these impressive investors collaborating to represent our membership and the industry.”
“LAVCA plays a key role in the development of private capital investment in Latin America,” said Szekasy. “I have seen first-hand during the last decade how vital LAVCA has been in the creation of virtuous ecosystems through the implementation of impactful networking, research, and education programs. As technology cuts across asset classes and geographic borders, LAVCA will continue to focus on stimulating regional economic growth. It will do so by facilitating access to capital for companies in earlier or later stages, digital or traditional sectors, with a clear mission of contributing to the process of long-term value creation in the region.”
Directors completing terms are former Board Chair Carlos Garcia, Managing Partner of Victoria Capital Partners, Alfredo Castellanos Heuer, Managing Director of Glisco Partners, and Maria Kozloski, Former Chief Investment Officer of Private Equity for IFC.
“We would like to thank Carlos for his leadership which has ushered us into this next phase and to Alfredo and Maria for their many years of dedication on behalf of the industry and region,” added Cuello
LAVCA’s current Board includes:
• Nicolás Szekasy, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, KaszeK Ventures (Chair)
• Flavia Buarque de Almeida, CEO, Península Participações
• Mauricio Salgar, Managing Director, Advent International
• Juan Alberto Leautaud, Managing Director, Head of Latin America Infrastructure Investment Group, BlackRock
• Susana Garcia Robles, Venture Partner, Capria Partners; Senior Advisor, LAVCA
• Fernando Borges, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group
• Cate Ambrose, CEO, EMPEA
• Michael Harrington, Partner, Actis
• Dirk Donath, Managing Partner, L Catterton
• Jose Sosa de Valle, Partner, Lexington Partners
• Rodolfo Spielmann, Managing Director, Head of Latin America, CPP Investments
• Philip von Mehren (Counsel), Partner, Venable
Visit LAVCA’s website for a full list of members.
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About LAVCA
LAVCA is the Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America, a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to supporting the growth of private capital in Latin America and the Caribbean. LAVCA’s membership is comprised of over 170 firms, from leading global investment firms active in the region and local fund managers to family offices, global sovereign wealth funds, corporate investors, and international pension plans. Member firms control assets in excess of US$65b, directed at capitalizing and growing Latin American businesses. LAVCA’s mission – to spur regional economic growth by advancing private capital investment – is accomplished through programs of research, networking forums, education and advocacy of sound public policy. Visit www.lavca.org for more information.
Caitlin Mitchell, LAVCA
[email protected]