Enrique Zapata

Enrique Zapata B Pérez (born April 8, 1984) is a renowned Mexican internationalist and authority in public innovation and digital transformation. He is currently Coordinator for Govtech, Data Intelligence, and Artificial Intelligence at the CAF - Development Bank of Latin America. Zapata's career includes a pivotal role as the Head of Mexico's Anti-corruption Intelligence Platform, a position to which he was ratified by Mexico's Anticorruption System. Additionally, he was appointed as Mexico's Chief Data Officer within the Office of the Presidency.
Zapata's international contributions are notable. He represented Mexico in the OECD's Open Data Working Group and the Open Government Partnership (OGP). His expertise also extended to trade negotiations, where he was an integral member of the team negotiating the digital chapter of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, formerly NAFTA). His tenure in Mexican public administration is marked by significant roles, including the Deputy General Director for Innovation at the Presidency, and Department Head at the Ministry of the Economy, where he was responsible for the trilateral NAFTA agenda.
In 2023, Zapata's contributions to the field of Govtech were internationally recognized when he was named one of the world's top Govtech Groundbreakers. His influence in government was previously acknowledged in 2018, as he was listed among Apolitical's 100 Future Leaders: The World's Most Influential Young People in Government. He continues to contribute to the field through his role as a Board Member of the International Open Data Charter and as a member of both the Open Data Leaders Network and the Mexican Council of Foreign Affairs.
===Early life and education===
Enrique Zapata B Pérez, born in Mexico City on April 8, 1984, is a distinguished Mexican internationalist known for his expertise in digital transformation and public policy. Zapata pursued his undergraduate studies in International Relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana, where his academic focus included international trade, finance, and geopolitics. His leadership skills were evident during his tenure as president of the International Relations major and subsequently of the entire university. His remarkable performance in these roles led to his recognition as the Undergraduate Student of the Year by Expansión, a leading business magazine.
==Career==
===Early===
Enrique Zapata embarked on his public service career in 2009 at the NAFTA Office of the Ministry of the Economy in Mexico. In this role, he was instrumental in overseeing the implementation of the NAFTA agreement, collaborating closely with the United States and Canada. His responsibilities included coordinating trilateral and bilateral work on regulatory cooperation, XXI century borders, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and support for SMEs, between others. He played a key role in co-organizing the North American Leaders Summits and Ministerial Meetings under NAFTA.
===Office of the President===
Zapata's ascent in government continued in 2013 when he was appointed Director of Innovation at the Office of the President. By 2016, he advanced to the position of General Director for Data and Innovation. His tenure was marked by the development and implementation of Mexico's first open data policy. He spearheaded numerous initiatives in data, innovation, and evidence-based policy in areas such as anti-corruption, open contracting, economic development, natural disaster response, maternal mortality, and open data. Under his leadership, Mexico was recognized as a global leader in open data policies by organizations like the Open Data Barometer, OECD, and Open Data Watch. Zapata was also instrumental in developing Mexico's inaugural Artificial Intelligence Policy and played a pivotal role in establishing the International Open Data Charter as an independent civil society organization.
In 2018, the Governing Council of Mexico's Anti-corruption System ratified Zapata as the inaugural Head of the Anti-corruption Intelligence Platform. His objective was to create interoperability between key government datasets to prevent, identify, tackle, and prosecute corruption.
===CAF - Development Bank of Latin America===
In May 2019, Enrique Zapata joined the CAF - Development Bank of Latin America, contributing his expertise to the newly established Digital Transformation Directorate. As the Principal Specialist for Govtech, Data Intelligence, and Open Government, Zapata was at the forefront of pioneering initiatives in the region. He developed the first-ever Govtech Index, a groundbreaking tool designed to quantify the dimensions of govtech and guide both national and local governments in implementing effective strategies.
Zapata's role involved extensive research and policy development. He authored and co-authored numerous influential reports, focusing on the Public Return on Investment from govtech strategies. Additionally, he formulated a Govtech City Index and various policy briefs that shed light on aspects of digital transformation. His contributions were pivotal in shaping the discourse on digital innovation in public administration.
One of Zapata's significant achievements at CAF was the creation of the first multilateral investment fund dedicated to govtech startups in Latin America. This initiative marked a notable shift in the approach to govtech funding, providing critical support to emerging companies in the sector. Furthermore, he assisted various governments in establishing public investment funds for govtech initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the digital ecosystem in the region.
Zapata also played a crucial role in developing data governance models and digitalization projects across Latin America and the Caribbean. His work encompassed a broad spectrum of digital transformation activities, aimed at enhancing public sector efficiency and transparency.
As an integral part of his duties at CAF, Zapata regularly travels throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. His missions involve conducting high-level workshops on public transformation and engaging in dialogues with regional public authorities. These interactions are instrumental in catalyzing the adoption of advanced digital practices in public administration across the region.
==Academic background==
Enrique Zapata has established himself as a prominent figure in the academic world alongside his professional career. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD at the National Institute of Public Administration of Mexico. His research, considered pioneering in the field, delves into the fundamentals of govtech and its integration into public policy and public administration theories. This research is notable for being the first of its kind to theoretically explore the concept of govtech.
In 2013, Zapata's academic journey led him to the University of Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government. He was among the select group of 38 graduate students chosen for their inaugural Master of Public Policy program. His attendance at Oxford was further distinguished by being a recipient of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, a testament to his academic excellence and leadership potential.
Zapata continued to expand his academic repertoire with a second master's degree in Data Science and Business Intelligence, which he completed in 2021 from the University of Avila in Spain. This degree further enhanced his expertise in the rapidly evolving field of data analytics and its applications in the public sector, specially through Artificial Intelligence.
His foundational education in international relations was obtained in 2008 from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico. Alongside his bachelor's degree, he also completed a diploma in Finance, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of global economic systems and financial management.
==Other work and recognitions==
===Memberships===
Enrique Zapata professional influence extends through various prestigious memberships:
* 2015 - 2018: Zapata was a member of the OECD's Open Data Working Group, contributing to international discussions and policies regarding open data.
* 2015 - Present: He has been serving on the Board of the International Open Data Charter, playing a significant role in shaping global open data initiatives.
* 2018: He was appointed as a Board member of the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition Initiative, reflecting his commitment to applying open data principles in diverse sectors.
===Recognitions===
Zapata's career has been marked by several notable recognitions:
* 2008: He received the Undergraduate of the Year Award by Expansión, a leading business magazine, highlighting his exceptional academic achievements at Universidad Iberoamericana.
* 2018: Zapata was listed among the "100 Future Leaders: The World's Most Influential Young People in Government" by Apolitical. This recognition underscores his impact and leadership in the public sector.
* 2023: He was honored as one of the Govtech Groundbreakers by GLASS, an accolade that acknowledges his pioneering work in the govtech sphere.
Category:People from Mexico City
Category:Mexican people
Category:1984 births