Latin America Leadership Program

The program kicked off with its first in-person module in Panama City on April 23, where the cohort was welcomed by the program team, including academic director Ricardo Ernst, professor Diane Garza, and local ambassador Paola Vergara. 

Felipe Commentz of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) spoke during the opening session about the region's challenges and opportunities. A business panel followed, featuring leaders like Niurka Montero (General Manager of Dell Technologies Panama), Jaime Alemán (Founding Partner of Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee), and Juan Raúl Humbert (President of Banco General), who discussed competitiveness and leadership in Panama.

This initial module included academic lectures on Globalization, Competitiveness, and Governance; and Global Supply Chains taught by Professor Ernst, as well as Strengths-Based Leadership by guest professor Diane Garza.

“During the first three-day in-person residency in Panama, GBEL participants have the opportunity to get to know each other, share perspectives, collaborate on their projects through team exercises, and begin building a regional network,” — Paola Vergara, GBEL Ambassador in Panama.

As part of this module, the GBEL 2025 participants visited Panama Pacifico—a regional model of a logistics hub and live-work community—where they met with CEO Henry Kardonski to discuss operations, impact, and future plans. They also toured J. Cain Logistics, a leading Panamanian supply chain company, guided by a presentation from Manuel Falduto Fernández.

The next visit was to Copa Airlines and its training center. With support from Jorge Reyes Bonilla (Training Director) and Captain Gustavo Rivera, the cohort learned about leadership in the airline industry, why Copa’s center is among the best in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the brand’s regional value.

Finally, they visited the Panama Canal—an engineering marvel vital to the world—led by Miguel Lorenzo, VP of Infrastructure and Engineering at the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), highlighting Latin American pride in its leadership and management.

After their first in-person residency in Panama, the participants met virtually once a week for eight weeks to attend thematic lectures by Georgetown University experts, including MSB professors Ricardo Ernst, Evelyn Williams, Robin L. Dillon-Merrill, Heather Berry, Debora V. Thompson, Juan Luis Manfredi, Rachel Pacheco, and guest panelists Diane Garza and Sara Hormigo.

Topics included business and leadership, including global supply chains, forecasting models, business strategy, and diversity and inclusion.

“GBEL has been an incredibly enriching experience, bringing together leaders from across Latin America to explore regional challenges, purposeful leadership, and strategic models for sustainable development.” — Bastian Barnbeck, GBEL 2025,  Waved, Panama.

During the virtual modules, participants engaged in bi-weekly peer coaching sessions to support and give feedback on each other’s projects, helping them identify limitations, seek solutions, and strengthen their plans. Individual coaching with Professor Ernst and expert panels further helped apply academic learning to their business proposals.

“This experience challenged me to think more strategically, to lead with greater awareness, and to better understand the global forces shaping our industries. From supply chains and innovation to leadership and decision-making under pressure, each module pushed me to grow both personally and professionally,” said Diego Cornejo, GBEL 2025, Sigma Alimentos, Costa Rica.

After completing the Panama and virtual modules, the business leaders arrived at Georgetown University on July 7 for a five-day residency that included a campus tour, orientation, visits to organizations in D.C., and lectures by prominent professors such as Ella Washington, Bob Bies, and Antonio Ortiz-Mena, alongside guest speakers like Tiffany Turner.

“I feel honored and proud to be part of GBEL 2025 at Georgetown University. This journey has challenged and inspired me to grow as a leader—with clarity, purpose, and a greater impact than I had envisioned.” — Gabriela González Rodríguez, GBEL 2025, Intercafe, Ecuador.

Professor Bies led an active and immersive session on “Creative Leadership,” focused on building a mindset and key skills to drive business innovation. Participants explored psychological and organizational barriers and learned leadership strategies to overcome them through innovative proposals tied to their GBEL projects.

Professor Ortiz-Mena’s module, “Trade and Investment in the Americas,” provided an overview of international trade, its historical evolution, and the current importance of U.S.-Latin America trade relations for businesses.

“GBEL is a refreshing and enriching experience that leaves us with tangible tools, applicable knowledge, and perhaps most valuable of all: human connections that transcend borders. I deeply believe in the power of connections and the importance of giving ourselves these spaces to unlearn, connect, and expand our capacities — and that is what GBEL achieved,” said Gabriela Quiros, GBEL 2025,  Banco Davivienda, El Salvador.

In his presentation “Leading the Way: Exponential Thinking and Global Value Creation,” Professor Ernst explained the differences between linear and exponential growth using the innovation curve. He encouraged proactive strategies to prepare leaders and teams to face the challenges of a fast-paced digital environment.

Georgetown's prime location in Washington, D.C. allowed participants to visit institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Microsoft, and Amazon. These visits deepened their understanding of organizations with regional impact and explored key tech trends, especially AI.

“GBEL is one of the most enriching experiences I’ve ever had. This program took us from Panama City, through unmissable virtual sessions, to Washington, D.C.—visiting J. Cain, Copa, Microsoft, Amazon, IDB. World-class professors and unmatched peers. Hoya Saxa!” — Pablo Smester, GBEL 2025, Grupo Yunen, Dominican Republic.

On their final day on campus, July 11, the cohort presented their applied business projects developed throughout the program. These projects, in various stages and from diverse industries, covered a wide range of themes.

During the graduation ceremony, Peter O’Donnell, LALP Program Manager, highlighted that what truly defines the GBEL 2025 cohort is the diversity of sectors and ideas represented. From Mexico to Argentina, participants tackled real-world challenges—from forecasting supply chain resilience and advancing ESG investment strategies to launching cybersecurity initiatives and scaling sustainability across sectors.

“Each participant brought their experience and a deep sense of purpose. They engaged in tough conversations, shared knowledge, and challenged themselves and others to think big—for the region, their companies, and the future. As they return to their communities and organizations, they carry the responsibility to transform Latin America and the Caribbean.” — Peter O’Donnell, LALP Program Manager

Professor Ernst emphasized the importance of continuing to develop and strengthen the network they’ve now joined—with generosity and a genuine spirit of contribution. Having peers across the region enables collaboration and amplifies impact.

Professor Ricardo Ernst took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of continuing to develop and strengthen the network they are now joining, always with generosity and a genuine spirit of contribution. Having colleagues throughout the region will enable them to collaborate and multiply their impact. As representatives of the cohort, Julio Martínez (Peru) and Ana Quirós (El Salvador) shared thoughtful words with their peers, based on comments contributed by everyone through a collaborative exercise, highlighting the importance of recognizing that even amid the demands of leading a business, it is crucial to pause, reflect, and make time to learn something new—factors that undoubtedly help in making better decisions.

“GBEL is where business leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean come together to acquire practical skills that enable them to transform strategic vision and advance their companies on the global stage. Because if not you, who? And if not now, when?” — Ricardo Ernst, Executive Director of LALP.

Throughout the program, participants incorporated their learnings and experiences into the initiatives they are leading. One example was Cinthia González Oviedo, a participant from Argentina, who shared that the initiative she presented focuses on transforming the traditional mindset toward one oriented to innovation. She noted that many companies have similar resources but still face challenges in fostering innovation within their talent, especially in vertical cultures with limited collaboration. Cinthia applied what she learned, especially insights from professors Ella Washington, Robyn Merrion, and Evelyn Williams. For her, diversity and agility require specific frameworks to be effective, and each of these sessions provided her with an enriching experience with the instructors and the community of leaders from across the region.

“Our region is full of opportunities to transform businesses with leadership focused on the common good and oriented toward development. It is exciting to see how GBEL drives a new generation of high-impact private sector leaders committed to sharing knowledge, promoting new initiatives, and generating a multiplier effect.” — Cristina Ruiz, Senior Associate Director of the LALP Program.

At the Latin America Leadership Program, we celebrate the successful conclusion of the second edition of GBEL. The new graduates have acquired skills, knowledge, and a valuable regional network that positions them to make a real impact in their organizations and across the region. We look forward enthusiastically to seeing how they will put into action the projects they developed during the program! We also eagerly anticipate welcoming the next generation of business leaders who will join this movement of collaboration and transformative leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean.