Cesar Jara Trujillo
Pacifico Seguros
Chief Innovation Officer
From the Andes to innovation hubs: Cesar Jara Trujillo, Chief Innovation Officer at Pacífico Seguros, tells Boris Plantier from Qorus how he is humanizing insurance in Peru.
Please tell us a little bit about your background.
I’m from Huánuco, a region in Peru where access to quality education was limited. From a young age, I was curious and determined to make a difference in people’s lives. Thanks to scholarships, I accessed quality education both in Peru and the U.S., including studies at the University of Chicago, which broadened my horizons.
My career spans the public, private and international sectors. Each sector taught me valuable lessons: how policies affect people, how global ideas can be adapted locally, and how organizations innovate to stay relevant. Being recognized as an emerging leader by the Obama Foundation was a turning point – it connected me with global changemakers and deepened my commitment to social impact.
Only five years ago I entered the financial sector – quite a contrast to others who’ve spent most of their careers here. But that difference has been a strength. Coming in without the technical baggage allowed me to question established ways of doing things, while also learning the technical realities of the sector. This combination has helped me to identify ideas that are not only innovative but also feasible and viable. Today, as Innovation Manager at Pacífico Seguros, one of Peru’s leading insurance companies, my focus is on how we can make insurance more human, accessible and relevant to people’s real lives.
At the core of everything I do is a passion for improving wellbeing. That’s been the common thread throughout my journey, and it’s what continues to guide my work today.
What does your workplace look like?
We follow a hybrid work model, which gives us the best of both worlds. Remote work allows me to focus, plan ahead, and manage a full agenda across different areas. But when I go to the office twice a week, I make the most of it – those days are all about collaboration. We co-create, make decisions together, and strengthen our connection as a team. The physical space is open and flexible, designed to promote collaboration rather than hierarchy. But what truly defines the workplace is the culture we’re building – one where ideas are valued, people feel safe to challenge, and we’re all working toward meaningful change.
Could you describe your usual working day?
My days are a mix of structure and constant movement. I usually start early, reviewing priorities and reconnecting with the team. Then the real complexity begins: meetings with different areas, follow-ups on pilot projects, shaping ideas into proposals, and working to align initiatives with broader company objectives.
No day looks exactly the same – because doing innovation in insurance means navigating ambiguity. Sometimes I’m facilitating a co-creation session, other times I’m helping a business unit reframe a challenge or working directly with leadership to connect strategy and execution. A big part of my role is helping others see opportunities where they initially saw only constraints.
It’s demanding, but energizing. I see myself not just as someone who pushes for change, but also as someone who makes it real – by listening, translating needs and building bridges.
What is your favorite food?
Peruvian food is one of the things I’m most proud of. It’s a reflection of our identity – diverse, bold and full of history. My favorite dish is ceviche. It’s fresh, vibrant and simple, but behind that simplicity there’s technique, tradition and a story. Ceviche reminds me of how great ideas work: they honor the past but are always open to reinterpretation. Just like innovation, it’s about knowing your roots and still daring to try something new.
What do you do when you need a break from work?
Traveling is my favorite way to truly disconnect. I usually take time off to explore new places – rarely visiting the same destination twice – because I love discovering different ways of living and thinking. For me, it’s not about ticking off a list, but about slowing down, being present and reconnecting with myself. Whether it’s trying new food, wandering through local markets or simply walking without a plan, travel helps me reset and come back with fresh energy and clarity.
What is the key to building a successful team?
For me, the key is trust and genuine connection. Building a successful team means creating a space where everyone feels safe to speak up, challenge ideas, and bring their full selves to the table. It’s not just about skills or roles – it’s about empathy and understanding. Also, clear communication and aligning around a shared purpose are essential. When the team knows why they’re doing something and how each person contributes, motivation and collaboration naturally grow. Finally, investing time in strengthening relationships – whether through team challenges, informal moments or reflection – helps us move forward as a united force.
There is a saying that we learn more from failure than success. Tell me about one of your failures and what you have learned from it.
Working in financial innovation, mistakes are part of the daily routine – it’s how we learn and improve. Early in my time in the sector, we launched an insurance product with a recurring payment model that was supposed to be flexible – on and off as customers wanted. But the underlying technology couldn’t fully support this, causing operational issues and frustration for clients. This failure taught me the importance of aligning product innovation with technological readiness and operational capacity. It’s not enough to have a good idea; the infrastructure and processes must be ready to deliver a smooth customer experience. Now, I focus on ensuring that innovation is feasible and sustainable from all angles before scaling it.
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