- 23 outstanding people in culture, science, business, tourism and sports are part of this network that seeks to promote the country's image through stories of Chileans who challenge paradigms and contribute to building a better world.
- This initiative is part of the current country brand strategy "Chile Creando Futuro" (Chile Creating the Future).
What do the captain of the Chilean national soccer team, Christiane Endler, NASA engineer Eduardo Bendek and the founder of Start-Up Chile, Nicolás Shea, have in common? That as of today, they have been named by Fundación Imagen de Chile as part of the Creando Futuro Chilean Network, a select group of 23 outstanding Chileans from various sectors who, thanks to their talent, vision and effort, challenge paradigms and contribute to the construction of a better world.
This initiative, which arises within the framework of the country image strategy Chile Creando Futuro, seeks to recognize and give visibility to Chileans who, from different areas and through their creativity and work, are agents of change and inspire others to build a better future for all.
"These 23 men and women, from their different talents and contributions, have already become important global players and true promoters of the country's image. Their stories are a testimony of the contribution we are making to the world," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Imagen de Chile, Andrés Allamand.
The selection of the Chilen@s Creando Futuro was based on 5 major areas defined by Imagen de Chile, which are key to promoting the country's image internationally: Life and Culture, Science and Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Business and Exports, Tourism and Sports.
"What is creating the future? It is paving the way in a competitive world, transforming challenges into an opportunity to contribute to the world with long-term vision, creativity and, above all, a lot of effort and talent. The Creando Futuro Chileans embody this purpose, this vision, this character, this talent, this connection with the world and this ability to contribute to building a better future for all," said the executive director of Imagen de Chile, Constanza Cea.
The project counted on the collaboration of 40 prestigious institutions from the public and private sectors, in order to draw up the names of the outstanding Chileans, and subsequently the Foundation's board of directors determined the 23 Chileans who made up the network for their value and contribution to the construction of the country's image.
"When you start in the sport, to be able to open roads for other future generations that can do what you are doing is the most important thing. And also for me it has always been the most important thing to represent my country and for that reason I believe that I do it with great responsibility, with a lot of work and with a lot of effort because I believe that we are privileged to come from this country," said the outstanding Chilean soccer player Christiane Endler, recognized as part of the Creando Futuro Chilean Network.
Gonzalo Muñoz, High Level Champion COP25, founder of TriCiclos and also recognized as part of this network, said that the future of Chile is built by people and nature, and is also linked to the present moment. "Undoubtedly we are and will continue to be a country with a global vocation, and I think we want to continue to be a good example of everything that characterizes us and that is central: Chileans have that historic attribute of resilience and humility," he said. "It is an honor to be part of this admirable group of compatriots," he added.
Each of the network members was presented with a Monocular designed and built with native Chilean wood. This symbol reflects how, through their actions and projects, each of the network members is going further, contributing to the world, generating answers, inspiring others, and creating the future.
Meet the members of the Red Chilen@s Creando Futuro below:
Life and Culture
Maite Alberdi: Chilean documentary filmmaker, recently nominated for an Oscar for her film El Agente Topo. Awarded in several festivals in Chile and abroad.
Paolo Bortolameolli: Conductor, world reference in classical music and associate conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, California. He has participated in concerts in America, Asia and Europe.
Rodolfo Guzmán: Outstanding Chef, considered one of the most innovative cooks in Latin American gastronomy. His unique cuisine is based on our territory and uses Chilean ingredients. He has led his restaurant, Boragó, to be elected 26th best restaurant in the world by the World's 50 Best.
Mahani Teave: Pianist of Rapa Nui origin. Creator of the first music school on Easter Island.
Science and knowledge
Paula Jofré: Astronomer and astrophysicist. Awarded in 2018 as one of the 10 Scientist-to-Watch by Science News and recognized in 2019 by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Eduardo Bendek: PhD in Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona. A distinguished professional in the area of astrophysics, he works at NASA developing technologies to search for exoplanets.
Maisa Rojas: Chilean physicist and climatologist. She frequently participates in global projects for the development of public policy on climate change.
Sebastián Bernales: Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the University of California. He is founder and CEO of Praxis Biotech, in addition to other initiatives that seek to contribute to the search for cures for diseases.
Bernardita Méndez: Co-founder and president of the Science & Life Foundation, professor of the Doctorate Program in Biotechnology at U. Andrés Bello and director of several companies and institutions that aim to promote science.
Innovation and entrepreneurship
Daniel Martínez: Founder of Copper 3D, a Chilean-American startup dedicated to the three-dimensional printing of medical devices made with a material containing copper microparticles.
Komal Dadlani: Co-founder of Lab4You, an application for smartphones and tablets that allows you to transform your functions into a complete scientific laboratory; a solution that seeks to address the lack of access by children to scientific knowledge.
Nicolás Shea: Promoter of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Chile; founder of Start-Up Chile and other projects such as eClass, Little Lions Nursery Schools, Jóvenes al Servicio de Chile, G100, Cumplo, among others. In 2014 he was recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of the Young Global Leaders.
Daniela Retamales: Founder of Prótesis 3D. Recognized as a social entrepreneur and leader at international level by organizations such as Youth International Foundation.
Jorge Armanet: Founder and CEO of Health Unlocked, a social network used by millions of people that seeks to encourage patients to support each other.
Business and Export
Gonzalo Muñoz: High Level Champion COP25, founder of TriCiclos and prominent environmental activist-entrepreneur.
Carolina Echenique: Agricultural Engineer from the Catholic University and founder of the Tika brand.
Eduardo Guilisasti: CEO of Concha y Toro, the second largest winery in the global wine industry.
Fernanda Contreras: Co-founder of Gamaga, an independent company that develops video games downloaded worldwide. Leader in the creative industries and videogame development.
Eduardo Chadwick: President of Viña Errázuriz, one of the most relevant personalities in the Chilean wine industry.
Tourism and sports
Christiane Endler: Captain of the Chilean national soccer team and current goalkeeper of Paris Saint-Germain. In 2019 and 2020 she was chosen among the 3 best goalkeepers in the world by FIFA in "The Best" awards. In 2020, The Guardian chose her as the best goalkeeper in the world.
Joaquín Niemann: Outstanding Chilean golfer. Winner of the National Sports Award 2020, becoming the youngest person to receive this award.
Alexandra Petermann: Ph.D. in Territorial Economics, director of the Huilo Huilo Foundation and CEO of the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, where its mission is to protect and conserve the temperate rainforest in the area, integrating the surrounding communities to improve the quality of life of present and future generations.
Gonzalo Fuenzalida: Partner and founder of Chile Nativo, adventure tour operator in Patagonia. Ambassador of ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association), the most relevant adventure tourism organization in the world.
*Some of the institutions that participated in the naming process for the Red Chilen@s Creando Futuro were: Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation; Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage; Ministry of Sports; Ministry of Women; Sernatur; Embassy of Chile in the United Kingdom; Embassy of Chile in the United States; Embassy of Chile in Spain; Embassy of Chile in Brazil; CORFO; InvestChile; ProChile; Start-Up Chile; Export Committee; Chile California Council; ChileMass; Endeavor Chile; AMA Foundation; Fundación Chile España; Fundación Encuentros del Futuro; G100; Sistema B; Socialab; SOFOFA; Triciclos; Mujeres Bacanas; AGAC/Sísmica; Antenna; ASECH; Avonni; Centro de Innovación UC; Chiledoc; Cinema Chile; Librería Metales Pesados; CNID; Her Global Impact; Mujeres Empresarias; Tremendas; Consejo Minero; and CPC.
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