Ana Maria Peredo

Dr. Ana María Peredo is an Associate Professor at UVic Business and Director of the BC Institute of Co-operative Studies at the University of Victoria.

Her research focuses on the role of business in society. Specifically, her work is related to how business can be an instrument for poverty alleviation and community well-being. This interest has led her to explore a variety of alternative business models, including different types of businesses emerging from grassroots organizations, such as community-based enterprises, co-operatives and other forms of community collective action and social entrepreneurship.

She is a pioneer in the field of community-based entrepreneurship, sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty. Her publications have appeared in such journals as the Academy of Management Review, Journal of Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Journal of Management Inquiry, Humanity and Society, Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Journal of World Business and Journal of Management Education. She has also published a number of book chapters.

Dr. Peredo's work is informed by a rich experience of ten years working in international development projects. As an anthropolgist, she has worked for UN and European development agencies involved in rural development projects with the Quechua and Aymara peoples. A principal responsibility was micro-credit and income generation for Andean indigenous women. Her interest in the Andes arose from her work as a journalist producing reports on rural development published by one of Peru's leading dailies.