Benjamin Castro Martinez Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Mínimo Necesario is an economic consulting firm, which I founded with colleagues from ITAM, Harvard, and Georgetown in 2020.As a fractional consultant, I collaborated directly with the President of the Mexican Council for Export Manufacturing to reshape the national data strategy. This effort improved business affiliations and amplified the Council's media footprint. I developed an interactive dashboard to track 60+ relevant industry indicators, upskilling the data capabilities of 19 business chamber Directors across 12 states. I also steered the National Manufacturing Magazine as editor-at-large, driving readership to surpass 30,000 within its inaugural two years of publication. I enhanced the business writing skills of 50+ executives of Suzuki Motors, GEP (lobbying firm), and SIATSA (IT). We also launched the Minimo Necesario podcast to discuss the pressing political and cultural issues of our times. As of August 2023 we have had over 60K listeners through our different channels. Just as is typical with emerging boutique firms, I also helped with customer acquisition and retention, crafted business contracts, and prepared tax reports.

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

I lead a dynamic team of 5 to ensure that our responses to statistical inquiries from the State Governor and the Secretary are always on point. Our efforts also involve presenting in-depth analyses of the State's economy. Our team obtained Congressional Approval for the economic chapters of the State's Development Plan. This was the bedrock policy shaping the administration's course for the next six years, and our efforts secured a substantial budget of $500 million USD to see the plan through.I have an active role in attracting foreign investment, surpassing the milestone of $2.5 billion USD in the first 24 months. This accomplishment was the result of policy design, meticulous analysis datasets, and crafting tailored data solutions that resonated with our stakeholders.In a collaborative effort with UC San Diego, SANDAG, and local universities, I helping build an Open Data Portal with a broader purpose – boosting regional progress in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This venture is also about fostering transparency and accountability to the public.My role extends to the design and implementation of surveys, both online and in the field. These surveys play a pivotal role in monitoring the performance of critical economic sectors, helping us stay ahead of the curve in understanding trends and shifts.

Mexico City, Mexico

I engaged in extensive policy research on behalf of four prominent companies in Mexico, spanning diverse sectors including mining, oil and gas, E-commerce, renewable energies, and retirement funds.One of my significant accomplishments was devising and implementing a strategic lobbying strategy to improve the operations of a $12 billion USD Federal Mining Fund. This effort led to the fund's expansion to encompass more than 196 mining sites, addressing crucial infrastructure needs.Additionally, I collaborated closely with the Government Affairs Director, providing valuable assistance in creating legal memoranda, crafting executive presentations, and compiling statistical briefs. These materials served as essential tools to inform political decision-making processes.

Mexico City, Mexico

I was chosen to be part of this role through a rigorous selection process within Grupo BAL, the parent corporation of El Palacio de Hierro. In this capacity, I designed and executed online commercial strategies for El Palacio de Hierro, a prominent luxury retail establishment with a nationwide presence.I monitored E-Commerce KPIs and formulated business presentations catered to top-level executives within the organization. My collaborative efforts extended to operational processes encompassing catalog management, digital marketing initiatives, and logistics coordination.

Mexico City, Mexico

I had the privilege of contributing to the team at IMCO, a leading public policy think tank in Mexico.Within this role, I undertook tasks involving the preparation, cleansing, and statistical analysis of databases containing municipal financial and federal expenditure data in Mexico, contributing to the development of the Municipal Budget Information Index 2016. I also did policy research in areas including e-government, municipal political organization, and transparency.

Master In International Affairs, International Economics

Activities and Societies: Teacher Assistant at the Linguistics Language Program Certifications: Quantitative Methods (Statistics), Data.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Political Science, Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: President of the Student Council (2015), editorial board member of Opción Literary Journal (2013-2015).