Rafael Valdez Mingramm

Mr. Valdez is a bridging leader that has been connecting China & Latin America since 2006, frequently commuting between Mexico City and Shanghai.

He has advised a number of Latin-American conglomerates, Chinese SOEs and private enterprises, primarily in the natural resources, infrastructure and renewable energy sectors, including Envision Energy, China’s leading private wind turbine manufacturer and developer. He currently manages the company’s operations in the region, including a 10.5MW wind farm in Chile, and a 2.5GW pipeline.

Mr. Valdez also started a few ventures in China, including Latin2China Holdings, an advisory / venture capital firm based in Hong Kong, SinoLatin Capital, the first merchant banking firm specialized in Latin America established in Shanghai, and laREDchina.com, a social network linking Ibero-American businesspeople living in and/or interested in China.

He also co-founded and chaired the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in China (Mexcham), and worked for ChinaVest, China’s first private equity firm, as Vice-president for Latin America. Before moving to Shanghai, Mr. Valdez advised ProVentures, a private equity firm based in New York managing investments in Southern Africa & Latin America.

While in New York, Mr. Valdez also supported The Synergos Institute on sustainable development initiatives throughout the Mexican border and collaborated with the Mission of Mexico at the United Nations. In Mexico, he was the head of international affairs at the Mexican Mint and chaired Fundación EDUCA México, sponsoring 12 NGOs working directly with 10,000+ underprivileged children.

Mr. Valdez graduated from ITAM with a BA in Economics. As a Joint Japan-World Bank scholar he completed an MPA in Economic Policy at Columbia University and pursued an MBA at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). He lives in Mexico City with his wife and two children.