The Leadership

Josemaria Valdepenas
CEO
Seasoned technology executive with leadership experience across Microsoft, Accenture, and early-stage ventures. Has led large-scale digital transformation for global enterprises and governments, managed $200M+ accounts, and co-invented RAID 5. Now leads Nextra’s strategy and global execution.

Jesus Lares
Co-founder & CTO
Computer Science Engineer, Data Scientist, former professor, and researcher with deep expertise in AI, Agentic AI, business intelligence, and cloud technologies. With 28+ years of experience, Jesus now leads Nextra’s technology strategy, AI research, and the development of intelligent, agentic solutions.

Carenne Ludena
CDO
Mathematician and data science leader with extensive experience across Oil & Gas, Finance, Telecom, and Government. Specializes in advanced analytics, risk modeling, and AI-driven solutions, leading the design and deployment of data systems that turn complexity into insight, improve decision-making, and drive stronger business performance.

Mauricio Carrera
Co-founder & Strategic Lead
Entrepreneur and strategist working at the intersection of international trade, technology, and advanced analytics. Co-founder and CEO of a Houston-based cross-border company focused on scaling Latin American consumer goods in the U.S., while building private-label brands and strategic retail partnerships.

Fernando Crema
Lead Data Scientist
Globally experienced data scientist and AI researcher with a background across academia, startups, and enterprise. Currently pursuing a PhD at KU Leuven, focused on multimodal deep learning for healthcare, while developing advanced analytics and AI solutions across the U.S. and Europe.

Wilmer Gonzalez
Machine Learning Engineer
Senior machine learning engineer with experience building AI and LLM-powered systems across fintech, real estate, and enterprise platforms. Specializes in MLOps, large-scale data pipelines, and generative AI, with a strong track record of deploying production-grade models that improve efficiency and reduce costs.
