• The newly appointed CEO brings over 20 years of experience in marketing, strategic planning, management consulting, and operations for multinationals, governments, and non-profits. 
• In her role, Woger-Nieves will focus on executing strategies to elevate Puerto Rico as a globally competitive market for business, investment, and innovation.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – The Board of Directors of Invest Puerto Rico (InvestPR), the non-profit organization focused on promoting investment and economic development on the Island, announced the formal appointment of Ella Woger-Nieves as its Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Woger-Nieves will lead the organization’s mission of promoting Puerto Rico as a competitive investment jurisdiction and attracting new businesses and capital to the Island.

Woger-Nieves, a seasoned executive and business consultant, was responsible for InvestPR’s start-up from an operational standpoint in 2018. Before being appointed CEO, she was the Chief Operating Officer (COO), playing an instrumental role in the organization’s creation by helping establish its mission, objectives, and roadmap to accomplishing them. In 2022, she became the Acting CEO of InvestPR.

“Ella Woger-Nieves’ appointment marks a significant milestone for our organization. As someone who has been at the entity since day one, Ella helped shape its mission, vision, and work plan. She has been instrumental in driving the organization’s growth and success, first as COO and then as Acting CEO,” said Manuel Cidre, Chairman of Invest Puerto Rico’s Board of Directors and Secretary of the Department of Economic Development & Commerce. 

“With Ella’s proven experience, leadership skills, and passion for Puerto Rico’s socio-economic well-being, we are confident that she will lead Invest Puerto Rico to new heights in attracting new businesses and investments to Puerto Rico. We are excited to continue working with her on promoting economic development and growth for the island”, Cidre added. 

For her part, Woger-Nieves commented: “I am honored to continue leading Invest Puerto Rico in executing a comprehensive marketing, business development, and commercial strategy focused on promoting economic growth and job creation in Puerto Rico. By playing to our strengths, showcasing sectors where Puerto Rico can compete at a global level, and working hand-in-hand with key stakeholders, we will continue to elevate Puerto Rico’s competitiveness as a global market for business, investment, and innovation.” 

Among the key action items in Woger-Nieves’ roadmap moving forward are to actively raise awareness of Puerto Rico’s value proposition with site selectors; leverage lead generation firms in Europe, Asia, and North America to increase the prospect pipeline for Puerto Rico; conduct direct outreach to specific companies within key target sectors where the island is best positioned to compete; and undertake sales missions in key markets where there is a concentration of prospect companies by industry sector.

Furthermore, Woger-Nieves intends to maximize collaboration efforts with critical local, national, and international stakeholders, including the public and private sectors, academia, professional associations, municipalities, and general business ecosystem, to facilitate Invest Puerto Rico’s mission, drive Puerto Rico’s competitiveness, and achieve a common goal of fostering economic development for the Island. She also wants to leverage the local industry to better understand supply chain needs and fill in the gaps with supplier prospects.

Woger-Nieves is committed to working closely with key partners such as the Department of Economic Development and Commerce to facilitate and close transactions and ensure alignment of economic development strategies for continuity purposes. The executive also plans to develop and execute a fundraising strategy to diversify the organization’s funding streams as part of her vision for Invest Puerto Rico.

“Puerto Rico boasts amazing potential. The island is undergoing an economic pivot and has a unique opportunity to raise its competitiveness and profile as an ideal place to do business. I truly believe Invest Puerto Rico, alongside its partners, can elevate the island’s position as a competitive investment hub to generate economic prosperity,” said Woger-Nieves.

During her time as the Acting CEO, Woger-Nieves most recently spearheaded a familiarization tour, or Fam Tour, in which a dozen site selectors visited the Island to learn more about Puerto Rico’s capabilities as an investment destination for the industrial sectors they represent. She has also deepened relationships with local and national stakeholders to leverage their networks and expertise to boost the delivery of Invest Puerto Rico’s mission, this being key towards elevating the island’s profile as a competitive market for business.   

Woger-Nieves has a proven record of working with Fortune 500 companies and has successfully counseled leading public and private sector clients throughout her 20-year marketing and management consulting career. She has vast experience leading and facilitating strategic planning, market analysis, and organizational restructuring initiatives for local and multinational corporations across various industries, including government, financial services, manufacturing, and the non-profit sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.