Paula Fontenla

Paula serves as Head of Strategic Initiatives, responsible for global strategic initiatives, business development, and international expansion, while also focusing on the firm’s strategy for leveraging AI in finance. She serves on the Management Committee and is a Board Member of Argentem Creek Middle East (ACME). She is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Paula has a diverse background with over 35 years experience in investment banking experience, covering large global clients and emerging markets across Latin America. She is a co-founder of the firm and responsible for in establishing the firm’s presence in Abu Dhabi, where she led negotiations on a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and worked closely with local advisors and authorities to secure the regulatory license for ACME.

Her prior executive experience includes serving as Managing Director for Financial Institutions, Head of Latin America Global TMT Clients, and Global Clients Division Executive Committee Member at ABN AMRO. She also held senior roles at JP Morgan in Structured Finance for Latin America and at Deutsche Bank in Latin America Investment Banking and Mortgage Finance, where she served as a Senior Executive Committee Member of the RMBS Group. Paula’s expertise spans telecom, technology, media, financial institutions, sponsors, and private equity, with a focus on Latin America. Paula also served as EVP of Strategic Project Management at Seekr, an AI technology company focusing on mobile and desktop Search.

Paula holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Columbia University and MBA in Finance from the Stern Business School at NYU. She serves as the Co-Chair of the Columbia University Engineering Development Council and Board member of the Columbia Engineering Alumni Association.