Rafael Escalona Reynoso serves as the Director and CEO of Portulans Institute. In this role, he leads the production of the Network Readiness Index (NRI) and the Global Talent and Competitiveness Index (GTCI), both of which he serves as co-editor. He also coordinates numerous high-profile projects, including the Portulans Democracy Lab and the AI Power Balance project with NYU in addition to various regional projects focused on technology, innovation, and human capital development.
As the spokesperson for the Portulans Institute, Rafael leads the institute’s engagement with international organizations and governments. His outreach work has resulted in several successful grant agreements and institutional partnerships with major foundations and multilateral organizations.
His consultancy roles have seen him engage with organizations like the World Bank Group, WIPO, UNESCO, Amazon, PwC, Niti Aayog (Government of India), the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI), the General Congress of the United Mexican States, the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), and the Republic of Uzbekistan’s Ministry for Development of ICT (MICT).
Before joining Portulans, Rafael served as the Lead Researcher for the GII from 2013 to 2020. With his proficiency in data analysis, policy development, and public relations, he has proven adeptness in steering long-term strategies, exemplifying profound thought leadership in project management.
Earlier in his career, Rafael was a member of the Trade and Foreign Investment Advisory Board under the President of Mexico and served as a Science and Technology Policy Advisor to the Senate of Mexico. In these capacities, he delved deep into the economic implications of international regulations related to fostering innovation and the cultivation of emerging technologies. His comprehensive analyses have significantly influenced the creation and implementation of pivotal science and technology policies in Mexico.
At Cornell University, Rafael’s research encompassed comparative analyses between Mexico and Spain’s National Systems of Innovation. He also investigated the regulatory frameworks of various modern technologies and studied the evolving realm of intellectual property rights in our contemporary technological era.
He holds a PhD in Regional Planning from Cornell University with a focus on Science and Technology Studies and Risk Analysis, as well as a Master of Public Administration in Science, Technology, and Infrastructure Policy, also from Cornell. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City.
