My deepest desire is to work to create more opportunities for disadvantaged communities, especially for people from rural regions and women, to foster economic growth across regions and address regional and demographic inequalities.
Victoria Orozco - Founder and Executive Director of Punto Labs
2024 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge Finalist, Latin America and Caribbean Region
Victoria Orozco’s entrepreneurial journey began in rural Argentina, a region often constrained by limited access to opportunities. Recognizing the widespread lack of resources and capacity to develop inclusive economic policies in similar regions across Latin America, Orozco founded and is now the executive director of Punto Labs, a consulting firm committed to supporting governments and decision makers in fostering inclusive economic growth.
Punto Labs Mission
Punto Labs leverages data, frameworks, and evidence-based insights to create economic opportunities for communities, driving sustainable and equitable development. Punto Labs operates as an innovation lab, collaborating with governments and mission-driven organizations to harness data and evidence in solving economic development challenges. Their approach supports communities in transforming growth opportunities into inclusive outcomes. By integrating methodologies at the intersection of economics, public policy, data analytics, and visualization, Punto Labs equips decision-makers with the tools to navigate the transition to a low-carbon economy, identify competitive advantages, and address regional and demographic inequalities.
Commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Under Orozco’s leadership, Punto Labs also focuses on the green transition, helping communities map and measure the potential social and economic benefits of decarbonization (SDG 13: Climate Action). This approach not only advances environmental goals but also fosters local economic growth and inclusivity (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth). Additionally, her work helps governments tackle transition challenges such as displaced workers, mining issues, and widening racial gaps (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities).
Orozco’s personal experiences, including migrating to the United States in her 20s and later to Mexico, have deeply informed her professional mission. Confronting ethnic and gender barriers firsthand, she developed a profound commitment to inclusion. This commitment is evident in her dual role as the Director of Punto Labs and the co-founder of Hacedoras, an NGO empowering Latin American women in public policy. Hacedoras provides women with training and networking opportunities to ascend to leadership positions in the policy-making arena. Orozco actively participates in public engagements, leveraging her platform to inspire and empower women to pursue leadership roles and challenge existing biases (SDG 5: Gender Equality).
Personal Experiences and Commitment to Inclusion
Orozco’s dedication extends beyond her professional endeavors. At Hacedoras, she tirelessly advocates for gender equality in policy-making, mentoring women, and breaking down barriers to leadership. Her work in STEM, a traditionally male-dominated field, underscores the importance of representation and visibility for young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds.
I aim to assist communities in translating opportunities into growth and directing that growth towards more inclusive outcomes for their populations.
By Grace Reiter, WE Empower Intern