Father-Daughter Shamrock Shuffle

It always comes to this. When a teenager starts to find their own place in the world, they begin to challenge their parents. 

It can come in the form of a mohawk, or a boyfriend nobody likes, or even months of “You just don’t get it!” arguments.

For Matilda Rincon, that challenge is more direct. The high school cross-country runner thinks she can beat her dad, Opportunity’s Director of Capital Solutions Mauricio Rincon, in a foot race.

“I like to run a lot, so now I'm ready to see who’s faster, more athletic, who could do more?" This month, Matilda and Mauricio will run an 8K in Chicago’s annual Shamrock Shuffle through the city. For the two competitors, it’s a downtown arena to see who truly is fastest in the Rincon household.

“I keep hitting new personal records, and I know Dad’s been going jogging with Mom,” Matilda said. “But I’m feeling motivated, and I’m confident I’ve got this race.”

“Oh, I’m not so sure about that,” interrupted Mauricio with a subtle grin. He’s no slouch, having remained active since his days in Colombia, where he spent a year in the Army and clocked countless hours on the soccer field.

Mauricio is just as sure of his own win in this race—but he’s focused on more than just a medal around his neck. Mauricio develops unique financial products and partnerships for Opportunity International and has spent years developing new ways to bring resources to hard-working people trying to build a way out of poverty. Now, it’s time to make this a family affair.

The challenge had one stipulation: Matilda had to take part in the family business and raise funds for Team Opportunity as part of the race. Team Opportunity’s mission is to bring people together for extreme challenges and make a difference in the lives of women in Malawi working hard to lift their families out of poverty.

“This has always been important to my wife and me, making a difference for those less well off,” Mauricio said. “In Colombia, we seeded a nonprofit that helped children obtain an education. Matilda would come hang out with those kids; she was one of the crew.”

But that was when Matilda was little. Today, she’s not just tagging along after her impact-minded parents, she’s carving her own path. While Mauricio is putting on his sweatband and running shoes every Saturday, Matilda is making calls and raising cash.

“I’m reaching out to everyone that I know—my friends, my parents’ friends, everybody,” said Matilda. It’s hard work, but she’s found real motivation through Team Opportunity’s mission.

“Honestly, I’m proud to help. The women in Malawi that I’m running for, I know their lives can be so hard,” Matilda said. “Just knowing that I’m able to help some great people, that’s exciting. And getting closer with everyone around me and the people I’m calling—I’m motivated.”

Over the past two years, Team Opportunity’s efforts have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for mothers living on less than $2 per day, offering them business training, financial skills, and critical resources to help them build businesses that create real change. Women have built new homes, sent their children to school, and strengthened their local communities and economies—thanks in part to fundraising challenges like Matilda’s.

Mauricio’s work at Opportunity is about bringing people together to make real change. Often we think of that exclusively as change for the people we serve in the Global South, but Team Opportunity’s efforts prove that when we help build a better life for others, we end up doing the same for ourselves.

Regardless of the outcome at the Shamrock Shuffle’s finish line this March, this has been a challenge worth completing. Both Mauricio and Matilda can attest to that.

“Helping the family connect with Opportunity’s mission the way I connected with the mission brings a new layer of passion and pride to this all,” said Mauricio. “I hear Matilda talk about what’s inspiring about this work and how she’s incorporating this new lense of seeing the world, and the race almost doesn’t matter. I’ve already won.”

Update (March 24, 2025): Mauricio and Matilda stayed neck and neck for almost the entire 5 miles, until the final stretch when Matilda left it all on the field and sprinted to the finish line, leaving dad in the dust but proud of her effort—and surprised at the big final push! Matilda was named a Rising Star with Team Opportunity for being our youngest fundraiser in the event and helping build awareness for Opportunity International. Thanks Mauricio & Matilda—see you out there next year!