Latin America Leadership Program

The annual Innovation and Leadership in Government (ILG) Program at Georgetown University aims to provide Latin American leaders from the public, social, multilateral, and international cooperation sectors with the conceptual frameworks and tools necessary to design and implement innovative public policies and social projects. Through leadership-focused learning experiences, participants strengthen their ability to drive new ideas and initiatives within their institutions. A central practical element of the program is the development of a project that participants are expected to implement upon returning to their home countries, allowing them to apply what they have learned, collaborate with their teams, and tailor their proposals to the specific needs of their organizations.

The curriculum of the 12th edition included distinguished faculty for each thematic area, as well as guest speakers. Special thanks to Ricardo Ernst (McDonough School of Business), Denisse Yanovich (Georgetown Americas Institute), Betilde Muñoz and Silverio Zebral (OAS), Jennifer O'Donoghue (Brookings), Miguel Porrúa (IDB), Felipe Commentz (CAF), and Alvaro Santos (CAROLA) for their ongoing commitment, support, and participation.

In addition, ILG alumni served as project mentors throughout the six-week program, demonstrating remarkable dedication to both the region and the university by enthusiastically supporting the next generation of graduates. The LALP team expresses its gratitude to these committed mentors for their invaluable contributions to the program.

“One of my greatest learnings from the program is connecting the key issues affecting the region. I currently work on climate finance, which is a cross-cutting issue, so learning about other areas such as education, poverty, migration, human rights, technology, and transportation has helped me make connections and, above all, better understand my own focus area from an outside perspective.” — Adriana Bazán, ILG 2025, Mexico

Beyond virtual and in-person sessions, the cohort had the opportunity to visit the World Bank, the Organization of American States (OAS), and Amazon Web Services in Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia. There, they exchanged perspectives with regional leaders and experts on development strategies, financial resources, digital transformation, and technological solutions for the public good.

During the program’s final day, participants presented their projects with notable professionalism—projects they hope to implement upon returning to their countries. These outstanding works were shared with the cohort and the LALP team. The diversity, creativity, and depth of analysis reflected in each proposal demonstrated the participants’ drive, determination, and commitment to strengthening their communities and contributing to regional development.

“One of the key reflections I take away from the program is the importance of bringing together leaders and countries to achieve a more sustainable, inclusive, and growing region.” — Samanta Bonelli, ILG 2024, Argentina

At the graduation ceremony, Isabel Tarrise da Fontoura (ILG 2020) was recognized as the recipient of the 2025 Impact Award for her work in the public sector and her strategic leadership in developing ColaboraGov in Brazil. She emphasized that this award recognizes collaboration as a central element—the heart of the public-sector transformation we can achieve together in Latin America and the Caribbean. She highlighted both pride in what has been accomplished and the continuous, daily learning inherent to public innovation, which is always evolving.

“For us to succeed, it is essential to bridge distances across Latin America and the Caribbean, promote dialogue and exchange experiences, and foster active listening among leaders to create joint solutions. What connects me to the ILG spirit is empowering the network to carry out projects with public value.” — Isabel Tarrise da Fontoura, ILG 2020, Brazil

Two participants selected by the cohort shared closing remarks on behalf of their classmates, expressing gratitude to the LALP team, reflecting on the six weeks of the program, and encouraging their peers to continue being agents of change. María Soledad Cantero (Argentina) highlighted that, although the cohort comes from diverse countries, sectors, disciplines, and professional backgrounds, they all share a common purpose: to transform public and social management into a space where ideas become actions, and actions, in turn, create tangible change. Meanwhile, Jayr Blandon (Colombia) emphasized that Latin America and the Caribbean is a region of open and reflective minds, combining local perspectives with regional thinking and global action. He also called on participants to take leadership roles within their territories, governments, and organizations, echoing the words of a LALP alumna cited by Ricardo Ernst, LALP Executive Director: “If not me, then who? And if not now, then when?”

As the master of ceremonies for the culmination event, Charlotte Kennedy, LALP Program Manager, highlighted that while the day marked the successful conclusion of one stage, it also signaled the beginning of another: the journey as change agents carrying forward the spirit of the program. She encouraged participants to stay connected, collaborate, and strengthen these bonds together.

Dr. Ernst expressed his appreciation for the excellence of the cohort and shared that the program continues to grow, both in the quality of its participants and in their level of commitment, which serves as a source of inspiration. He invited participants to reflect on who they are and who they will become as leaders, noting that the world is at a turning point. He emphasized the importance of optimism, describing the region’s extraordinary opportunity to become a reference point if each country maximizes its potential. He called on participants to continue working with enthusiasm and responsibility to implement their projects, make their countries what they truly deserve, measure and share impact, participate in the alumni network, and join the 20th anniversary celebration of the program in Fall 2026.

“It’s impressive how ILG allows us to acquire new skills and competencies in just six weeks. During this time, we learn so much about trends, practices, innovation, leadership, and governance. It’s an immensely enriching process that truly brings the best global trends in the field. The program as a whole is transformative, bringing us closer to frontier knowledge that is so necessary in our countries today.” — Patricio Ovalle, ILG 2024, Chile

Upon completing the program, the ILG 2025 participants join the broad LALP alumni network, which now includes over 1,000 graduates from GCL and ILG across 23 countries. These alumni collaborate for the common good, promoting best practices and interregional initiatives across generations, sectors, and countries.

"Now, as you culminate this experience, we also invite you to take an active role within the #ILGAlumni network and implement those visions of leadership and innovation within this great community that is #LALPAlumni," Cristina Ruiz, Senior Associate Director of LALP

At LALP, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the region and supporting leaders who seek to grow their skills, leadership, and connections through our program. This cohort, like those before it, confirms that Latin America and the Caribbean possess immense potential: prepared leaders and, above all, individuals determined to transform their environments. We aim to highlight these leaders, along with their projects and initiatives, and to witness the lasting impact that our alumni community will generate in the coming years.