“I grew up watching people celebrate investment announcements without asking what the contracts meant for the communities involved.”
Inés nodded.
“Tell me.”
For the next half hour, Elena spoke about her mother's work with local producers in Colombia.
Celia had helped organize training programs for small agricultural businesses seeking better access to markets.
Some programs were successful.
Others failed because promised buyers never materialized or financing terms proved more burdensome than participants understood.
Elena remembered women who worked fourteen-hour days preparing goods for shipment, only to discover that the price paid to them barely covered the cost of production.
She also remembered successful cooperatives whose members negotiated transparent agreements and invested in equipment that reduced waste.
Those experiences shaped her interest in international economic policy.
She didn't believe large companies were automatically harmful.
Nor did she believe every community project was automatically efficient.
She believed people deserved accurate information about the terms on which they were being asked to build their futures.
Inés listened carefully.
When Elena finished, the investor was quiet.
Then she asked, “Have you considered a career in investment risk analysis?”
Elena smiled faintly.
“Frequently.”
“And?”
“I've applied for several graduate positions.”
Inés raised an eyebrow.
“Results?”
“Some interviews.”
Elena hesitated.
“A few rejections.”
Inés studied her.
Then asked, “Would you consider applying for a research fellowship with an independent economic institute?”
Elena became still.
“What institute?”
Inés named a program that worked with universities and nonprofit organizations to examine infrastructure financing and its economic consequences.
The fellowship was competitive.
Paid.
And designed for emerging researchers.
Elena stared.
For a moment, she feared accepting information about it might appear improper.
Inés seemed to anticipate her concern.
“I'm not offering you a position in exchange for any information about the current review. The institute has its own selection process. I'll simply send you the public application details.”
Elena exhaled.
“Thank you.”
Inés smiled.
“Your work should be evaluated on its merits.”
For a moment, Elena couldn't speak.
Then the investor leaned forward.
“And Elena?”
“Yes?”
“Don't let Antoine's behavior convince you that every senior executive is incapable of listening.”
Elena laughed softly.
“I won't.”
Inés smiled.
“Some of us simply need better questions.”
They finished their coffee.
Before leaving, Inés placed a small envelope on the table.
Elena's expression changed.
“What is that?”
“A copy of the written statement Antoine signed, together with my contact details should your advisers need a factual account of the dinner.”