Karina Vadillo - REDF

Our Vision
- Our VisionAn economy that works. for everyone.
- Who We BackWe partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ.
- How We Do ItWe help our enterprises grow further, faster through a combination of capital, capacity building, and community support.
- ImpactOur partnership accelerates the growth and impact of the enterprises we back.
- InsightsWe evaluate what works and share our learnings to spark action for policy and systems change.
Our Work
- Our WorkWe invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.
- AcceleratorA six-month cohort-based learning experience for leaders of early-stage enterprises to springboard growth.
- Growth PortfolioA multi-year investment in growth-stage employment social enterprises to help them scale sustainably.
- Impact InvestingFlexible loan capital for employment social entrepreneurs whose lived expertise is their collateral.
- Gov. Partnerships & PolicyAdvocacy and public sector partnerships to advance the field.
- CommunityCurated space and resources to help our social enterprise partners connect, grow, and lead.
- WorkshopREDFworkshop is an open, free virtual capacity building toolbox to help you build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises.
Investments
About
- AboutWe envision a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and the support they need to realize their full potential.
- Mission & CultureIt’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that matters.
- Our PeopleWe’re a motley crew of leaders and learners dedicated to building an economy that works. For everyone.
- CareersKnowing your work is improving lives is not the only benefit of the job. View opportunities to join our team.
- Farber FellowshipGrad students bring cutting-edge skills and passion to help employment social enterprises reach their full potential.
- SupportersOur generous funders and individual donors make this work possible.
- HistorySince 1997, REDF has been using business as a force for good.
- FinancialsREDF achieves the highest levels of accountability and transparency.
News

As part of the REDF Impact Investing Fund (RIIF) team, Karina Vadillo structures and underwrites new loan transactions — and partners with potential employment social enterprise borrowers from prospecting until loan closing. In her role as senior manager of loan originations, Karina also seeks to refine and improve originations and underwriting processes to support RIIF’s continued growth.

With over a decade of experience in impact investing, Karina has worked to provide loans to a variety of social enterprises and other mission-driven organizations, including coffee cooperatives, microfinance institutions, and charter schools. Her work has taken her to the jungles of Peru with Root Capital, the Cauca coffee region of Colombia with Global Partnerships, and the small towns of Northwest Arkansas with Equitable Facilities Fund. Witnessing firsthand the impact that access to capital can have on a social enterprise fuels her ongoing passion for impact investing.

Karina holds a master’s in international relations and economics from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a bachelor’s in economics and Latin American studies from Wellesley College. She lives in New Jersey, and when she’s not at work, you’re likely to find her outside — whether jogging, hiking, camping, or gardening.