Credo
Do what we preach
LeFil Consulting functions like a commercial enterprise with a social purpose: we put impact first, but use the rigor and methods of business to do so. We offer top-notch business consulting to solve social problems, in a way that is more cost-effective, innovative and focused than traditional consultancies.
Fresh hard facts and strategic thinking
All our work is based on extensive first-hand data collection and analytics. We do not pretend to know best practices and solutions upfront, but we seek to learn from the actual facts and performance of the most successful players in a given field. And we go the extra mile to think through the strategic implications for our clients.
Collaboration before competition
The problems we are addressing are so massive that there is enough space for everybody to solve them. In all our work, we seek to advance sectors as a whole, not only our individual clients. We also operate through a global network of partners and professionals, to bring the best set of capabilities to our clients, wherever they are.
People
LeFil Consulting has its main team and office in Zurich. However, its network spans multiple continents, as it works closely with like-minded consultants, experts and entrepreneurs around the world.
-
Jessica Graf
Jessica Graf (Zurich-Switzerland) is the Founder and Managing Director of LeFil Consulting. Before LeFil, she spent 8 years in developing countries, serving public and non-profit institutions, such as the UNDP, Action contre la Faim, the OSCE and the Swiss Foreign and Economic Affairs. She then worked at McKinsey & Company and managed Vietnam Holding Asset Management for another 6 years. She graduated in Political Sciences at the University of Geneva, and holds an MBA from INSEAD.
-
Cecilia Gamba
Cecilia Gamba (Bologna – Italy) is a Project Manager at LeFil. Before joining, Cecilia worked as a data analyst at WegoWise, Inc. and Elevate Energy, both US-based organizations providing energy efficiency services for affordable housing. In these positions, she specialized in leveraging data for effective product/program development and delivery. Prior to that she was a researcher with the Chicago Booth School of Business’s Initiative on Global Markets. Cecilia holds a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Bologna.
-
Anna Arenillas
Anna Arenillas (Zurich-Switzerland) is a Consultant at LeFil. Before joining the team, she worked as a junior auditor at EY where she gained experience in analyzing financial statements and managing large datasets. Driven by the desire of generating positive impact, she has volunteered in several social impact projects making education more accessible for young adults. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Economics from the University Pompeu Fabra (Spain).
-
Sofia Gordillo
Sofia Gordillo (Zurich – Switzerland) is a Consultant at LeFil Consulting. Before LeFil, she worked at various impact-driven startups, such as Mondays AG, a Swiss company offering plastic-free period products, where she worked as Sales Executive for the retail line. Passionate about international development and social impact, she also worked with various NGOs as a volunteer or intern in Mexico, Tanzania, Cambodia, and India. Sofia holds a Bachelor’s in International Development with Economics from the University of Bath (UK) and a Master’s degree in Management from NOVA School of Business and Economics (Portugal).
-
Daniela Bolivar
Daniela Bolivar (La Paz – Bolivia) is LeFil’s Focal Point for Latin America. After studying Visual Communication and Education at the Catholic University of Bolivia and being herself an entrepreneur in the recycling business for many years, she dedicated the last 6 years of her career to social entrepreneurs, working on research and educational programs, as well as on outreach and documentary projects. She also worked extensively for high-impact organizations, to help them develop comprehensive communication strategies.
-
Armando Laborde
Armando Laborde (Mexico) is a Partner with New Ventures Group (www.nvgroup.org) an organization dedicated to catalyzing businesses with social and environmental impact through acceleration programs, impact investing, outreach and educational activities. Prior to that, Armando helped found two microfinance institutions (ProMujer México and FinComun), worked for Conservation International, as Co-Director for Ashoka Latin America, and as the Vice President for social initiatives for Tec de Monterrey.
-
Eric Kacou
Eric Kacou (Abidjan – Ivory Coast) is the Co-founder and CEO of Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (www.espartners.co), an advisory and investment group to entrepreneurs and leaders across Africa and the Caribbean. Prior to ESPartners, Eric led the Rwanda National Innovation and Competitiveness Program and advised leaders of business, government and development organizations worldwide. He earned his MBA at the Wharton School and his MPA at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Advisors
-
Aziz Mebarek
Aziz Mebarek (Tunisia) in the Founding Partner of AfricInvest (www.africinvest.com). Aziz has over 20 years of experience in the private equity industry in the Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Europe. He participated in raising around 1 billion USD private equity funds as well as structuring and executing several equity transactions. Prior to AfricInvest, Aziz was the General Manager of two industrial companies, ILVA Maghreb and Tunisacier International (part of Ilva the Italian Steel manufacturing conglomerate).
-
Daniel Buchbinder
Daniel Buchbinder (Guatemala) is the Founder and CEO of Alterna (alternaimpact.org), a social innovation and entrepreneurship centre in Central America. Prior to that, Daniel worked as a senior market executive for l’Oréal. Daniel graduated in business administration from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, and post-graduated in Environmental Geography and Technology from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and the Imperial College London.
-
Inès Mazas
Inès Mazas worked 10 years in the social impact space, on the topics of social innovation, impact evaluation, organizational performance and leadership. After working in strategy consulting at Accenture and Hystra, she worked for five years in Guatemala where she supported local entrepreneurs in rural areas and led the impact department at Alterna, an incubator and impact investing fund. She is now based in Brazil, working as a consultant and supporting local projects in environmental education, entrepreneurship and women empowerment. She holds a Master of Science in Business and Administration from the ESSEC Business School (France) and a Master in Public Policy and Development from Paris Descartes University (France).
Partners