Who We Are

Independent, Research-Grounded Advisors

Colibrí Strategies is led by advisors with deep, research-grounded expertise in venture capital, institutional investing, and portfolio construction.

We are not generalist consultants. Our work is informed by doctoral-level training, empirical research, and direct engagement with institutional allocators, venture capital managers, and ecosystem builders.

Our role is to help decision-makers understand how venture capital actually behaves—and to design strategies that hold up under institutional scrutiny.

Our Perspective

Our advisory work is shaped by:

  • Doctoral-level training in venture capital, portfolio construction, and institutional finance

  • Specialized expertise in emerging manager evaluation, VC risk dynamics, and governance

  • Ongoing research into power-law returns, nonlinear risk, and long-horizon portfolio behavior

Leadership

Itzel Moncada. A smiling woman with long wavy hair, wearing a black top and earrings, posing against a black background.
Dr. Mariela Salas. A woman laughing and smiling, wearing a white button-up shirt and a skirt, with her hand on her hip, and dark hair styled in a shoulder-length bob, against a black background.

Itzel brings experience across venture capital and private equity, with a focus on how venture funds generate returns and what drives performance. Previously a Senior Associate at Reinventure Capital and a Private Equity Associate at Cebron Group, she has worked across fund investing, portfolio analysis, and institutional capital strategy. Her work helps institutions underwrite venture managers with greater rigor and confidence. She is a Doctoral Candidate at Pepperdine University, where her research examines venture capital fund performance and the structural drivers of outcomes within the asset class.

Itzel Moncada,

Managing Partner

Dr. Mariela Salas,

Managing Partner

Mariela brings over 20 years of experience across venture capital, finance, infrastructure, and technology, with leadership roles at JPMorgan, Verizon, and Ascendus. Former Executive Director of SomosVC and Partner at ALMA Fund, she has advised emerging fund managers and limited partners on strategy, fundraising readiness, and ecosystem-building. Mariela holds a Doctorate from Pepperdine University, where she is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research focuses on leadership, identity, and long-term performance in venture capital.