The Meridian Guild and Colmena Partner to Advance Shared Value, Private-Sector Engagement, and Inclusive Economic Development Across Latin America
ASUNCIÓN, PARAGUAY / WASHINGTON D.C. [11/12/2025] The Meridian Guild and Colmena have announced a new partnership to advance shared value initiatives, private-sector engagement, and inclusive economic development across Latin America.
The partnership is grounded in a shared commitment to expand market-driven solutions that link business incentives with community-level economic opportunity. By integrating Colmera’s deep regional technical expertise and The Meridian Guild’s global network this collaboration aims to strengthen enabling environments, accelerate responsible investment, and support evidence-based development programming.
“This partnership is about turning ideas into opportunity,” said Mark Kerr, CEO of The Meridian Guild. “Together, we’ll help communities create products that can compete on the global market, from handmade goods and agricultural products to innovative local enterprises.”
“At Colmena, our mission is to build development models where competitiveness and inclusion reinforce one another,” said Juan Carlos Pane,Director, Colmena. “Partnering with The Meridian Guild allows us to combine regional insight with global reach and bring shared value strategies to scale.”
What This Collaboration Means
Strengthening Shared Value and Private-Sector Engagement
The partnership will help companies, investors, and public institutions adopt shared value approaches that align profitability with inclusive economic outcomes -through sector analyses, private sector engagement strategies, and market systems interventions designed to unlock growth.
Expanding Market Access and Responsible Investment
The Meridian Guild’s global network - including diaspora groups, corporate partners, and investors - will complement Colmena’s advisory and on-the-ground expertise to create new pathways for responsible trade, business development, and blended-finance opportunities.
Empowering Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Through tailored training, mentorship, and business development support, the partnership will help entrepreneurs strengthen operations, meet international standards, and scale their enterprises sustainably.
Facilitating Knowledge Exchange and Innovation
Workshops, community exchanges, and local innovation fairs will share practical insights from around the world, enabling communities to adapt proven approaches to their local contexts.
5. Connecting Global Expertise with Local Talent
By linking Colmena’s regional experience with The Meridian Guild’s international network of professionals, investors, and business mentors, the partnership will strengthen value chains and foster meaningful cross-border collaboration.
Together, The Meridian Guild and Colmena are working to make global trade more inclusive, ensuring that success stories begin in local communities and reach the world.
About The Meridian Guild
The Meridian Guild is a dual-structured organization that translates innovative vision into tangible economic opportunity. It operates through The Guild, the creative core generating ideas, and Meridian, the business arm executing the vision via consulting, trade facilitation, and investment partnerships. The organization’s fundamental goal is to provide the operational structure necessary to elevate underleveraged local talent.
About Colmena
Colmena is a Latin America-wide shared value strategy and implementation firm based in Paraguay. Colmena helps communities and institutions across Latin America design solutions for sustainable growth. Its work includes policy design, entrepreneurship training, and program implementation across multiple countries in the region.
Media Contact:
The Meridian Guild Communications Office
📧 info@meridianguild.org
🌐 www.meridianguild.org
