Irene Arias Hofman leads IDB Lab since January 2018. IDB Lab, as the innovation laboratory of the IDB Group, mobilizes financing, knowledge, and connections to cocreate experimental projects and support entrepreneurs with a potential for impact at great scale, benefiting populations that are vulnerable  due to economic, social, or environmental factors. Previously, she developed her career working for more than 20 years with the World Bank Group, specifically with the IFC, the largest international development institution focused on the private sector. There, Irene had investment  responsibilities with global reach and also focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. She managed the IFC's largest portfolio - US$ 16 billion - and annual investment programs of more than US$ 6 billion. Her focus has been on innovation, venture capital, and fintech.