Felipe Moreno Bechara

BIOGRAPHY

I have worked in social entrepreneurship and education for seven years, inspired by Muhammad Yunus’s efforts on eradicating poverty and Paulo Freire’s ideas on radical humanism. In this journey, I had the chance to advise startups at an international NGO called Socialab. I supported and inspired a new and growing generation of Colombian entrepreneurs. I have also led the Research and Development department of Coschool. We worked to create new products and services with the potential to generate more revenue while providing innovative solutions to our methodologies focused on socio-emotional learning (SEL). As a result of these learnings, I now want to understand the psychological and behavioral processes that allow people to increase their well-being in their organizations. This is why I am currently doing research on human development within the context of business organizations.

ONGOING RESEARCH

I am researching mindfulness because it is germane to the frantic pace of the twenty-first century as it can reduce stress work-related rumination and increase employees’ well-being. I have experienced firsthand the benefits of this practice after I had the opportunity to volunteer as an English Teacher at a Buddhist monastery in Nepal in 2011. This experience allowed me to develop a keener perspective on issues concerning human development. Furthermore, it taught me to find ways to cultivate a more compassionate consciousness towards myself and others. I have been enthralled by its practice ever since, and it has helped me in times of anxiety and stress. But, most importantly, it has allowed me to know myself better and focus on the issues that truly matter to me.