Born in Quito, Ecuador, Alonso was always curious to see the world and experience new challenges. After completing his B.A. at Paris 1 Sorbonne-Pantheon, Alonso joined his family’s business back in Ecuador as CFO for two years. He then went on to pursue his Master’s degree at IE Business School in Madrid and did an exchange program to Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing. Afterwards, he rejoined his family business to work as a Business Development Manager and later as Deputy General Manager for three years. While working back in Ecuador he promoted several activities within his family’s company to help orphaned and disabled children’s care centers and actively participated in the “De la Calle a la Cumbre” program where children from the streets were given the opportunity to challenge themselves to climb the summit of the highest mountains of Ecuador. Continuing his commitment to help others, he decided to become a Kiva Fellow. Alonso strongly believes that microfinance is a proven system that will help end poverty by creating sustainable social development.