IFC’s Ana Margarita Trujillo: On Role Models and Mining for a Greener Future

Ana Margarita Trujillo ?is an investment officer with IFC’s?Global Metals and Mining ?team. A Colombian national, her work focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean. Here, Ana Margarita takes us through her journey and the driving forces that motivate her.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, and currently live in Washington, D.C., with my husband and daughter. I have been with IFC since 2010, so D.C. and IFC are my second home. I owe who I am today to my mom. She’s now a proud grandmother who devotes her time to helping nonprofits, but at the prime of her career, my mom was a top finance executive in Colombia. As a child, I watched her create a seat for herself at male-dominated tables. She paved the way for many women, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps. So, I, too, launched a career in finance, taking a job at a bank. I enjoyed the work but did not see a meaningful impact on people’s daily lives. That’s when I shifted directions and joined IFC, where I could combine the worlds of finance and international development.

And did your background also influence your journey at IFC?

Absolutely. Growing up in Colombia shaped the way I see the world. I had a front-row seat to the issues my country and my people faced. At the same time, I lived through the positive impact that development institutions, like the World Bank and IFC, brought to my country, particularly in infrastructure. This personal connection became a professional focus. That’s why I specifically opted for?IFC’s infrastructure ?team when I joined IFC. I’ve moved around within the different infrastructure sectors, including energy ,?transportation , and?water . And now, I’m with the?metals and mining team .

The work that I do is directly contributing to this positive impact. Seeing how infrastructure projects make real and tangible differences in people’s lives is incredibly gratifying. For example, we’re helping people, especially women, save commuting time by investing in mass transport solutions. And we’re improving the health and well-being of communities by connecting them to essential sanitation services. These experiences inspire me daily. ?

Now that you’ve been with the metals and mining team for a while, what are IFC’s priorities and unique value-add?

The green energy transition is a global priority. But that transition relies on several metals and minerals that are critical components in the technologies that underpin a low-carbon future. The metals and mining team is focused on ensuring that the mining of these critical minerals takes place in responsible, sustainable ways and that local communities share the benefits.

One of the ways IFC adds value here is through our?sustainability-linked finance instruments , which incentivize companies to set ambitious climate and social targets, such as gender inclusion and community development. These instruments enable private sector investment in emerging market countries and support sustainable development by advancing climate-friendly upgrades and promoting gender equality, among other social contributions, which are fundamental to IFC’s mission. Of course, for me, the gender aspect is quite personal, and when I work with clients in this area, I can hear my mom cheering me on!

IFC’s advisory service offerings are another way we add value. We provide guidance and advice to mining companies that want to green their operations and enhance the impact of their community investments.

It sounds complicated to merge all of these goals into a single project. How does this all work?

IFC’s first lithium investment in Allkem’s Sal de Vida in Argentina ?is a great recent example of how IFC drives progress in multiple ways. Lithium batteries power many clean energy technologies, like electric vehicles, so responsible investments in lithium will bring us closer to the clean energy transition. Once operational, this mine will have the capacity to produce?15,000 tons of lithium ?carbonate equivalent (LCE) a year.

What’s unique is the financial structure of our investment. It’s a green and sustainability-linked loan that includes a company commitment to expand the use of renewable energy in production by?50 percent by 2030. ?It also includes a target to increase the percentage of women in Sal de Vida’s workforce from?10 percent in 2022 to 26 percent by 2030 . This is a big deal, particularly in an industry that has lagged on gender diversity.

We are finding that many of our clients, including infrastructure and mining companies, recognize the value of better gender balance: It brings bottom-line benefits, enhances community relations, and helps advance carbon emissions reductions and overall climate policy. In fact, IFC is helping to guide companies in building gender-inclusive operations with our new, digital, interactive Gender and Infrastructure Toolkit .?It is truly exciting to be part of the global team behind such projects and efforts, knowing their potential and seeing the positive development impact they generate.

You mentioned you are an alumna of the?World Bank Group Young Professionals Program ?(WBG YPP). What was that experience like?

The WBG YP program is unique. It brings together a diverse group of young people to collaborate on solutions to development challenges. For me, it has created a strong network that continues to be a source of support, collaboration, and friendship. I strongly encourage those considering the program to apply. My advice if you apply to the?program ?is to show that you care about the work and the mission of the institution—and that you understand the World Bank’s value in general and IFC’s role in particular.

What additional advice can you share with younger staff on building a career at IFC?

Invest time and effort. Work hard and be a team player. Cultivate relationships and networks across the institution. Take the time to embrace and celebrate the successes—the difference our work is making. These are the building blocks for a successful career. ?

Favorite book, podcast, or media outlet??

I love to read and have a book club with my friends. We meet every other month, so it doesn’t feel like a burden and gives us time to finish our selection. Recent favorites include: “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus, and “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides.

What do you do to unplug and relax?

I have a beautiful daughter. She’s a toddler, so she takes up much of my free time (and energy). I love every minute I spend with her. I also enjoy being active and exercising; it helps me unplug. I try to take an hour in the morning to do a high-intensity workout at my local gym, Cut Seven.

Outside of that and work, I prioritize spending time with my family and friends. We spend most of our holidays visiting our family around the world. My husband is French, so we split our holidays between France and Colombia.

Related links:

• Global Metals and Mining
• IFC's Impact on Sustainable Metals and Mining
• Interview with Allkem’s CEO: Sal De Vida Project
• IFC’s Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory
• Gender and Infrastructure Toolkit
• The World Bank Group Young Professionals Program
• Net Zero Roadmap for Copper and Nickel Value Chains