About Colibrí Business Development
Colibrí is an advisory firm founded in 2022 by Local Content and governance expert Ileana Ferber. With deep experience across the global energy sector, we help key stakeholders and partners strengthen institutions, develop supplier markets, and design policies that drive sustainable national growth.
Company Values
Colibrí is an advisory firm founded by Local Content and governance expert Ileana Ferber. With deep experience across the global energy sector, we help governments and partners strengthen institutions, develop supplier markets, and design policies that drive sustainable national growth.
- Integrity & Transparency
Evidence-based advisory grounded in accountability and trust.
- Local Empowerment
Strengthening institutions and cultivating long-term national capabilities.
- Context-Driven Solutions
Tailored strategies built on deep understanding of each country’s reality.
- Collaborative Partnerships
Working closely with stakeholders to create sustainable impact.
Years Of Advisory Experience
Countries Across Africa, The Caribbean, Latin America, And Beyond
Projects Supporting Policy, Governance, And Local Content
SMEs Reached Through Supplier Development Programs
Global Expert
Ileana Ferber
Ileana Ferber is a seasoned Local Content senior advisor, specializing in strategic consulting and bespoke training programs. She enhances her clients’ technical and compliance-driven capabilities, ensuring alignment with national economic objectives.
Before becoming the CEO and founder of Colibrí, Ileana’s 24-year career with
Mobil in Venezuela, where she started in Public and Government Affairs and moved to Global Procurement before the merger with Exxon. She spent the majority of her tenure with ExxonMobil in the U.S., gaining extensive experience in planning and budgeting, negotiating high-value contracts globally, and managing large-scale contracting projects.
Ileana has spent countless hours advising government officials and developing the
capabilities of suppliers. She has also overseen industrial baseline studies, supply market and workforce skills assessments, and gap analysis exercises. Ileana has hands-on experience in assessing and designing local content policies, developing and implementing local content plans, and measuring and reporting local content performance at the corporate and governmental levels.
Ileana Ferber also specializes in strategic advisory services for new venture development, market entry, and business expansion across Africa, Asia, and South America, with a particular focus on the energy sector. A current area of strategic focus is Venezuela’s energy sector, where the recent reopening of opportunities is creating renewed potential for international operators, service companies, and investors seeking to enter or re-establish operations in the country.
Professional Background
- Languages, Business, International Development, Public Policy
- Practical strategies that grow local economies and supplier markets.
- Insightful analysis for better, lower-risk decisions.
- Global expertise tailored to local realities.
Areas of Expertise
Local Content (Primary Specialization)
- Certified Local Content Subject Matter Expert (SME)
- Advises governments and operators on policies, regulations, and implementation frameworks
- Builds workforce capacity and strengthens supplier ecosystems
ESG & Sustainability
- Substantial experience with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives
- Focus on responsible operations and long-term socioeconomic impact
Supplier Diversity & Women’s Economic Empowerment
- Partnered with WEConnect International to support women-owned businesses
- Active mentor to women entrepreneurs in the energy sector
- Advocates for gender inclusion in all major energy projects
Education & Certifications
- BA in Languages and Business, Universidad Metropolitana (Venezuela)
- MBA in International Development, Thunderbird School of Global Management (USA)
- Executive studies in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
- Certifications from Harvard Kennedy School: Leading Economic Growth (LEG)
- Certifications from Harvard Kennedy School: Implementing Public Policy (IPP)
- List Item
Personal Background
- Born and raised in Venezuela; based in the United States since 2003
- Lives in The Woodlands, TX with her family
- Passionate about applying global best practices to help developing countries reduce poverty and overcome social challenges
Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC
I first met Ileana at ExxonMobil’s procurement office, where she has always made me feel welcomed as a vendor. Ileana’s warm and professional attitude makes her stand out immediately. She uses her knowledge, experience, and networking abilities, to develop and connect individuals with opportunities. Ileana is a great strategic thinker with great leadership qualities. With her Local Content Policies expertise (LCPs), Ileana supports policy makers in various countries helping them obtain the greatest benefits for their local economies. LCPs facilitate economic development and individual’s leadership, both necessary to alleviate global poverty, unemployment, and inflation. In addition to her professional qualifications, Ileana has personal attributes that make her well- liked and well-suited for leadership. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
DAI Sustainable Business Group
I've had the opportunity to work with Ileana on multiple local content projects around the world. She brings a level of technical depth in the area of local content which allows us to co-create solutions and push the boundaries to new levels. Ileana also has an impressive level of cross-cultural awareness which allows her to really connect with people and be effective across regions from Africa to Latin America to Europe. We recently worked together on the Industrial Baseline Study in Suriname where her input and guidance was instrumental. At DAI SBG we live and breath local content and development so it's extremely motivating when we work with people that share our passion for making an impact through the energy industry.
ExxonMobil
I have worked with Ileana for 20 years at ExxonMobil. I first met her when she was a brilliant planning analyst of the Procurement function at ExxonMobil Venezuela, based in Caracas. A few years later she left the company to pursue her MBA at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, demonstrating not only vision but also a clear strategy and determination to move to higher added-value leadership positions in America. Upon completion of her MBA, Ileana was hired again by ExxonMobil, this time in the USA. Since then, her career has been one of steady progress and growth to senior advisor and management positions. I strongly recommend my dear and admired colleague Ileana Ferber.
Sustainable Economic Development
I have worked with Ileana for almost a decade, at the corporate level as well as on specific projects around the world. Focusing on the need for sustainable economic development, she has been instrumental in advocating for local workforce and supplier development strategies to ensure value is maintained at the national and also at the local level. To do so, she has developed relationships with thought leaders, government representatives and business lines to best understand their needs. Based on her engagement with these and other influencers, Ileana has provided input into the design and implementation of strategies dedicated to national and international economic development and local workforce sustainability. Ileana is a natural leader with a significant following for guidance and discussion of ideas. Her leadership style of including and respecting everyone equally allows her to integrate and bring together teams from every social and professional context in a way that gains support from all. Her continuous self-improvement, most recently at Harvard Business School, has resulted in a well-rounded expertise to successfully develop overall business planning to enable both governments and businesses to come together in mutually beneficial agreement. Ileana is able to properly evaluate priorities, and her detailed approach ensures that her plans are efficient, successful and timely. Ileana shares a tremendously positive energy to help move her team forward in challenging situations.
Supplier diversity & local content development
Ileana is a very hardworking, diligent, proactive & committed professional who is very passionate about diversity in empowerment. I met Ileana in Ghana on her trip out to empower locals in the Oil and Gas industry. Her commitment to supplier diversity & local content development can not be overemphasised. I have benefitted from Ileana's mentoring & expertise in supplier diversity, sustainability and entrepreneurship development through WEConnect International. Ileana is an avid reader and learner who stretches those around her to be better versions of themselves. Ileana would be a huge asset on a leadership team.
Blue Bull Energy / Blue Wave Supplier Development Program
Ileana Ferber not only has the capability to do her job well and be an expert in her field, she has the heart and passion to go above and beyond. Ileana's genuine drive to help countries develop local content transpires in major oil corporation deliver their commercial targets. She makes a difference developing business and communities. It is a true joy to work with her, her energy and knowledge are inspiring. She is master too at connecting people and making things happen.
IOGP
I’ve had the chance to collaborate closely with Ileana on two occasions - both on the topic of Local Content a shared area of expertise and one for which we have equal passion. Ileana’s authenticity, knowledge and clarity were always in evidence and her dynamic, positive temperament always makes any interactions productive and pleasant. I’d jump at any chance to work with her again and I’d welcome her on any volunteer team.
ExxonMobil
I have known Ileana Ferber since the late 1990s when I was Director of Government Affairs at Mobil de Venezuela prior to the merger of Exxon and Mobil. She grew quickly and excelled while at our Public and Government Affairs Department. She has progressed and successfully taken new responsibilities at Procurement Units where she has held various managerial jobs. Ileana has become a valuable resource in several issues management topics and lately a recognized expert on local content areas. Most recently I encountered Ileana at various international extractive industry events and fora. Ileana is fully tri-lingual, and she possesses outstanding technical, managerial, and interpersonal skills as she has consistently shown over the years in the international oil & gas sector. I have the highest regard and respect for Ileana for her dedication, professionalism, and integrity. With her skills, initiative, and experience, Ms. Ileana Ferber would be an invaluable asset to any corporation.
Let’s Work Together to Build Stronger Institutions and Markets
Contact us to learn more about our advisory services or to collaborate on future projects.