Cristina Álvarez - A Cali native with a life purpose of serving and supporting others to flourish, live consciously, and put their gifts in the service of transforming contexts and people, contributing to creating a sustainable, generous, and equitable world. She studied Economics at Clark University and the London School of Economics, holds an MPA from the University of Pennsylvania, and is certified as an Essence and Conscious Leadership Coach. With 37 years of professional experience, including at the Banco de la República and in co-creating or co-directing social sector entities such as the Women's Banks Association, United Way Colombia (formerly Dividend for Colombia), Connection Colombia, and Coschool.

 

Carlos Betancur - Entrepreneur in digital business, marketing, and technology, aiming to help transform companies through people. In 2012, he founded BTODigital in Spain, a consultancy in digital transformation of marketing and sales. He is a professor and speaker on marketing and technology. He holds a degree in electronic engineering (UPB), an Executive MBA (EAE Business School), a master's in industrial economics and markets (UC3M), and a master's in pharmaco-economics (UC3M). Recognized as one of the 20 leaders in Digital Marketing in Latin America by Merca 2.0 magazine in 2022 and is part of the Google Partners Leadership Circle. Author of the book "Digital Marketing: Strategies for Business Revolution".

 

Melissa Castillo - Medical Doctor from Pontificia Bolivariana University. Otorhinolaryngologist from Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina. Fellow in Otology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary – Harvard Medical School. Faculty and Researcher at the School of Medicine, Pontificia Bolivariana University. Medical Director at the Dizziness and Vertigo Center in Medellin. Director of Operations at The Vertigo Academy S.A.S. Research Coordinator at Vertigo and Dizziness Centers in Mexico and Colombia. External researcher at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. The only Colombian woman member of the American Neurotology Society, Schuknecht Otopathology Society, and Vestibular Disorders Association. Author of over 58 scientific publications and "Marea y Sol – Mi bitácora de vértigo". Speaker and coordinator of the IV Masterclass on Vertigo of the Colombian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Expertise in explosive injuries and Vestibular Medicine.

 

Vicky Chehebar - Psychologist graduated from Boston University. Her career includes co-founding the Opportunity Foundation in Bogotá, focusing on children with learning difficulties. She has also volunteered at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and worked at the Juanfe Foundation in Cartagena. Currently, she is a Parent Coach, Vice President of the Board of Techo Colombia, and an active member of various community and philanthropic organizations in both Colombia and the United States.

 

José Camilo Córdoba - Political scientist with an emphasis on public management, graduated from the Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá; master's in Interdisciplinary Latin American Studies from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, with extensive experience in the public, non-governmental, and academic sectors. He has held leadership roles in organizations such as ProPacific and the Pacific Management of the Presidency of the Republic. He was the winner in 2016 and nominated in 2011 for the distinction as "Afro Colombian of the Year", awarded by the newspaper El Espectador and the Color de Colombia Foundation. Currently, he serves as Manager of the Banco de la República in Quibdó.

 

Diana Dajer - Lawyer and specialist in administrative law with a distinguished career in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Master's in public policy and doctorate in socio-legal studies from the University of Oxford. Currently, Manager of Citizen Participation at the Corona Foundation and a board member of People Powered. She has held management, coordination, and advisory positions in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, and international cooperation, to strengthen democratic innovation and conflict transformation in Colombia and the world.

 

Federico Gómez - Professional in Business Administration with experience in leading agro-industrial and agroforestry projects. He has led the creation of agricultural and agroforestry transformation projects on a national scale, positively impacting rural communities and small farmers. With over 16 years of experience in project management and administration, leading multidisciplinary and multicultural teams in different regions and economic sectors. Currently, he is a manager and operations manager at an international firm dedicated to cocoa agroforestry projects in Colombia.

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David Gómez - David is a designer and economist, co-founder of NOUS, a tech startup backed by venture capital. He is a former consultant at McKinsey. David graduated Summa Cum Laude as an Administrator and Magna Cum Laude as an Economist from the University of the Andes. He holds a Master's in Economics from the same institution and a Master's in Management from Toulouse Business School (Dual degree).

 

Daniel López - Daniel is an educator, consultant, and lecturer in strategy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and change management. He has trained and accompanied executive teams of companies in Colombia and Latin America, as well as territorial and national conversations for agreement building. In 2019, he structured and facilitated the national dialogue methodology of the National Conversion. Daniel is the founder of Public Design and the Laboratory of Adaptive Social Innovation (LISA). He has been recognized for his leadership at the international and national levels. With a Master's in Public Policy and an economist by training, his work focuses on strengthening social leaders and innovation strategies.

 

Juan Manuel Lozano - Juan is a lawyer with a Master's in Administrative Law. He has been president of the Student Council and a leader in regional development programs. With studies in New York and Georgetown, he has led the articulation and development of national government programs with Multilateral Banking (World Bank) to strengthen institutional and human capacity through processes of Science, Technology, and Innovation in the regions. He has directed local government processes on planning and development towards the 2030 agenda. Juan was Secretary of Government of Ibagué and Acting Mayor of the city in the period that ended in 2019 and a pre-candidate for the Chamber of Representatives for Tolima.

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Alejandro Maldonado - With experience in investment and leadership, he stands out for his empathy and focus on human development. Alejandro is the founder of Appian Education Ventures, and his executive coaching practice focuses on increasing the effectiveness of CEOs and professionals. Since 2012, Alejandro has been training and coaching students and alumni of Harvard Business School, where he developed his passion for talent and professional development. He holds a BS in Economics from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania (magna cum laude) and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His work extends to multiple boards of directors and non-profit organizations, including Accupac, Blush Bar, Ocean Lane Capital, Ventures Foundation, and Teach for America's Colombia Chapter.

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Catalina Martínez - A women's rights advocate, she leads initiatives to promote gender equality in Latin America and the Caribbean. As the Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Center for Reproductive Rights, Catalina has led processes to promote and protect sexual and reproductive rights in different Latin American contexts. She has also led strategic litigation at the international and national levels to improve the legal framework for women's rights and contribute to the development of public policies and awareness campaigns that materialize and raise awareness of these rights. Her experience in organizations such as the IACHR and the UNDP supports her commitment to human rights. She is part of movements that fight for the autonomy and dignity of women and girls, including Niñas No Madres and Causa Justa.

 

Andrés Felipe Medina - A lawyer from the Universidad del Rosario with a specialization in commercial law from the same university. He holds an LL.M (Master of Laws) from the New York University School of Law. For several years, he has focused on aircraft and project financing. Currently, he works in the unconventional renewable energy sector as Legal and Regulatory Director at Mainstream Renewable Power.

 

María Lilina Mor - An international development specialist with experience in generating alliances with Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability teams from multinational companies, governmental entities, and multilateral organizations to incorporate social investment approaches in regional projects. Currently the Director of Strategic Alliances and Development at Pro Mujer, promoting gender equality in Latin America and the Caribbean, she is responsible for fostering partnerships and structuring different collaborations to promote financial inclusion, impact investment, entrepreneurship, education, and health in the region through women's empowerment.

 

John Moreno-Escobar - With a professional career in Public Affairs and Latin American Studies and a Master's in Public Administration (MPA), both from Baruch College part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, he is currently the Director of Growth for LATAM at the National Society of Leadership and Success. John is known for establishing multiple non-profit organizations and fostering business growth. With over twelve years of consistent experience in leadership as Executive Director of non-profit organizations, his passion lies in cultivating meaningful partnerships with government agencies and business clients.

 

Pedro Navas - Born in Bogotá in 1981, with a background in Industrial Engineering and a Master's in Administration. Pedro has ventured into the floriculture sector, entrepreneurship, and hotel management, currently serving as the manager of a family entertainment company. A proud Colombian, he seeks to contribute to the country's development.

 

Zuly Peláez - A woman from Istmina (Chocó), a social entrepreneur, and a floral designer. Zuly is the founder of "Rosa Púrpura Taller Floral y Eventos" and the Administrative Director of Casa Innovation, a foundation that promotes sustainable development and empowers underestimated social entrepreneurs: 1) Afro-descendants and indigenous peoples; 2) women; 3) LGBTQ+ individuals; 4) people in displacement or migrants; and 5) youth.

 

Juan Fermín Restrepo - A passionate leader and executive with a solid track record in the business sector. With over 20 years of experience, he has held various leadership roles in companies in Spain and Colombia. Currently, Juan is the General Manager of Ladrillera Santafé, a company where he also held the positions of Vice President of Finance and Vice President of Operations. He has also served as General Manager of Automundial, CFO of Multiflora, and Auditor at Arthur Andersen. He served in the Presidential Guard Battalion and the Colombia Battalion in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Juan graduated in Business Administration from CESA, was a scholarship recipient of AIEJ at Kansai Gaidai University in Japan, and obtained a Specialization in Corporate Finance from CESA, as well as an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, IL, USA. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors of CESA, the Board of Directors of Camacol Bogotá Cundinamarca, the Tomás Rueda Vargas Foundation, and CTP Médica.

 

Santiago Salazar - An orthopedic surgeon from the University of Rosario affiliated with the Santa Fé de Bogotá University Hospital program, specializing in hand surgery and microsurgery from the University of Strasbourg (France). Alongside his medical-surgical training, he pursued a Master's in Physical Instrumentation (Technological University of Pereira) and a Ph.D. in biomechanics and biomaterials (University of Strasbourg). With a multidisciplinary background combining medicine with engineering, Santiago advances towards precision medicine.

 

Paola Vásquez - A corporate lawyer and an (LLM) graduate from Columbia University in New York with nearly 25 years of experience in business law. She lived for 6 months in San José del Guaviare as part of the Opción Colombia - Red de Solidaridad Social program. Paola worked as a volunteer assistant at the Constitutional Court with Magistrate Carlos Gaviria and joined Baker & McKenzie. Her goal is to continue contributing to the development of her country.