Armando Regil has accomplished more in his 25 years than most people do in a lifetime. Regil wrote his first book in 2004 at 19. In 2007, Regil attended Capital Semester Fall with TFAS, followed by the Institute for Leadership in the Americas in 2008. Also in 2008, Regil founded El Instituto de Pensamiento Estratégico Ágora (The Agora Institute for Strategic Thinking).
Accomplishing so much all before turning 25 is not an easy task. Regil credits TFAS for at least part of his success, specifically his decision to form his own organization in Mexico.
“Living in Washington D.C. was one of the most extraordinary experiences in my life,” said Regil, who interned at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity.”It was really the perfect time for me to learn about think tanks and I even wrote the business plan to start my own Institute in Mexico [while living in Washington].”
Regil recalled one specific meeting with Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences winner, Professor James Buchanan.
After hearing Regilís idea for the IPEA, Buchanan offered his support and encouraged Regil to pursue his dream saying, ìWhat Mexico really needs is a revolution of ideas, a revolution without violence, without bloodÖ There should be a sense of renovation of something new with a reasonable framework and structure.”
Inspired by Buchanan’s words, Regil decided to move forward with his business plan and now focuses on promoting a “free, virtuous and prosperous society in Mexico” via the IPEA.
“I came back to my country with the conviction that I can be an agent of change,” said Regil.
Regil studied international business at Tecnologico de Monterrey, Queretaro, during which he wrote his book about leadership for young entrepreneurs, La respuesta eres tu (You Are the Answer).
In 2008, he founded the IPEA, a non-profit and independent public policy think tank. The IPEA trains a new generation of policy entrepreneurs and leaders by promoting the principles of a free society. Regil serves as the founder and president of the organization and currently resides in Queretaro, Mexico.