"As an alumnus, Mr. Restrepo has demonstrated humility and natural ease in his successful life as a change agent. Members and alumni recognize in him as one of the best role models in the country who inspires others with his kindness, approachability, and success as a visionary businessman."

- Sergio Ruiz, President, AIESEC in Colombia

Turkey, 2007 - Transforming good organizations into great organizations is something that Gonzalo already practiced during his term as one of the vice presidents of AIESEC in Colombia: exchange results became globally significant for the first time during his tenure, and two of the biggest local committees of today were founded or re-founded during his period on the member committee. Following the theme from good to great, Almacenes EXITO, which had always been recognized as one of the best retail chains in Colombia, started to show significant growth in geographic reach with presence in cities that few people expected a hypermarket to expand to, as well as in its position as the best place to buy things with the highest quality at a low price, and with the best service.

Thanks to his vision, Almacenes EXITO was the first chain in the country of implement the concept of "hypermarkets", introducing new services related to the concept of buying everything from goods to services in one place. Gonzalo set up partnerships with banks to have their ofices inside his hypermarkets with special extended opening hours to match consumers needs, car wash services while the car owners take care of their weekly grocery shopping, as well as food courts within the hypermarkets that other meals to customer. Maybe these concepts were explored in other countries before, but it was a first for Colombia! Over the last year, ALMACENES EXITO has been consistently ranked among the top 5 Great Places to Work for Latin America, an important international award. A supporter of sustainable development, Gonzalo not only set up the EXITO Foundation that invests in several community development projects in the areas of education and child nutrition, he is also very active in his native city of Medellín, where he uses his infiuence to drive development throughout the city. Gonzalo also takes pride in supporting AIESEC in Colombia through a sustainable partnership that improves every year. From good to great.