Latin America Leadership Program

by Guadalupe Ramirez

The Global Business Executive Leadership (GBEL) program, led by the Latin America Leadership Program (LALP), aims to strengthen the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. To this end, it draws on the experience, lessons learned, and outcomes of previous initiatives, such as Global Competitiveness Leadership (GCL) and Innovation and Leadership in Government (ILG).

GBEL’s academic offering brings together leadership, global management, innovation, adaptability, and sustainability to develop leaders better equipped to respond to the challenges of a changing environment and to generate sustainable value. Developed by Ricardo Ernst, Executive Director of LALP and the program’s team, it seeks to expand the impact of its initiatives and promote regional collaboration across sectors and countries.

One of the central components of GBEL is the development of an applied business project, through which participants identify a challenge or opportunity within their organizations and design a comprehensive strategy to address it. With the support of their companies, these initiatives extend beyond the academic setting and have the potential to be implemented in real-world contexts.

At LALP, we recognize and celebrate the commitment of leading companies to developing leaders who can drive meaningful transformations and contribute to a more prosperous, sustainable, and competitive future for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The third GBEL cohort brought together 18 business leaders from 11 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, representing diverse sectors and industries and leading organizations with a presence throughout the region, including Johnson & Johnson, Banco DHB, UN World Food Programme, Grupo Pantaleon, SIGMA, IASA, Grupo Azeta, HVC, Empresas Polar, SIZUCA, Duarte Pino, Hacienda Loma Linda, Impact First Lab, Puerto Rico Supplies Group, Renovare Care Clinic, and CoalizãoRS.

Upon completing the program, the GBEL 2026 cohort joined LALP’s network of more than 1,000 alumni, strengthening a regional community focused on collaboration, the exchange of knowledge and experiences, and the creation of new opportunities for development and connection across Latin America.

“We are very pleased to have successfully concluded the third edition of GBEL and to have contributed to the development of an outstanding cohort of business executives who, through a combination of high-level academic training, as well as engagements with companies and international organizations, broadened their business perspectives, strengthened their capabilities, developed new skills, and built strategic connections that will generate value for their organizations,” — Cristina Ruiz, Senior Associate Director.

GBEL 2026 began with its first in-person module in Panama City on June 3, where the cohort was welcomed by the LALP team, including its manager, Charlotte Kennedy, and local ambassador, Paola Vergara.

During the opening session, Alejandra Botero, Manager of Investments and Financial Development at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), analyzed the region’s key outlooks and challenges, while Marta Elida Gordon, former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, addressed current geopolitical dynamics and trends.

The day also included a business panel, Uniting the Americas: How Panama’s Leaders Are Thriving in a New Global Era, which brought together prominent voices from a range of sectors, including María Luisa Navarro, Senior Director of Government Relations at Copa Airlines; Ignacio Vollmer, CEO of Banco Mercantil; and Diego Eleta, founding partner of ELEMENTE, Inc. The panelists shared their perspectives on navigating the current geopolitical and economic environment, identifying new markets and growth opportunities, and strengthening organizations that are resilient and prepared for the future. They also highlighted Panama’s positioning as a strategic hub for regional and global business.

This first stage of the program combined academic sessions on strengths-based leadership and high-performing team development, led by Professor Diane Garza, with immersive experiences at strategic organizations and institutions in Panama, including visits to the InterEnergy plant, the Panama Canal, and the Copa Airlines simulator.

Following the first in-person residency in Panama, participants continued their training for eight weeks through weekly virtual sessions focused on topics including globalization, competitiveness, governance, supply chains, demand management, data-driven decision-making, and location strategy in a global economy. These sessions featured experts from Georgetown University, including Robin Dillon-Merrill, Jasmina Chauvin, and Carol Blymire, as well as guest speakers Adriana Peralta, Juan Luis Manfredi, and Sara Hormigo.

During the virtual stage, GBEL participants also took part in biweekly peer coaching sessions focused on sharing experiences, providing feedback, and advancing their business projects. This support enabled them to identify challenges, explore alternatives, and strengthen their action plans. In addition, expert panels and individual sessions with Professor Ernst helped participants translate the knowledge they acquired into the development and practical application of their projects.

“Some experiences do more than expand what we know; they transform the way we choose to lead. GBEL was one of those experiences for me. Leadership is not about having all the answers, but about having the courage to ask better questions, the humility to listen, the discipline to turn ideas into action, and the responsibility to leave something better for those who come after us.”— Manuel Ramos, GBEL 2026, Pantaleon, Guatemala

After completing the in-person modules in Panama and the virtual sessions, the business leaders traveled to Georgetown University on August 25 to participate in a four-day in-person residency. The academic agenda addressed key topics such as creative and ethical leadership, innovation and change management, sustainability, and business performance evaluation, with sessions led by Professors Robert Bies, Kerrie Carfagno, and Evelyn Williams.

The residency also incorporated the perspectives of guest experts, including Michael Armao, CEO of Verstand AI, and Daniela Muhaj, Director of Development and Technology Initiatives at the Baratta Center for Global Business Education at the McDonough School of Business. They explored the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence presents for leadership and business.

During the week, participants had the opportunity to visit and exchange perspectives with executives at Microsoft’s Innovation Hub and Equinix’s data center.

“GBEL 2026, complete. An extraordinary team, three months, and an exceptional cohort. The lesson that stayed with me the most: the more complex the world becomes, the more challenging—and also more interesting—it is to lead. A huge thank you to my cohort colleagues, who made this experience what it was, and to Georgetown’s LALP for 20 years of building and strengthening this community.”— Angela Nieto, GBEL 2026, Banco BHD, Dominican Republic

On their final day on campus, August 28, the cohort presented the business projects they had developed throughout the program. The initiatives, representing a range of industries and different stages of implementation, reflected a broad spectrum of strategic objectives, challenges, and opportunities.

During the closing ceremony, Charlotte Kennedy, LALP Program Manager, highlighted the professionalism and commitment that distinguished the GBEL 2026 cohort.

“GBEL promotes action-oriented leadership and connections that extend beyond the classroom to generate tangible impact. It has been incredibly rewarding to see this cohort’s commitment to their organizations and to the region. As new members of the LALP alumni network, we invite you to maintain these relationships, continue collaborating, and contribute to the development of future generations of GBEL.” — Charlotte Kennedy, LALP Program Manager

Professor Ricardo Ernst, for his part, emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen the network they are now part of, guided by principles of generosity and a commitment to giving back. Connecting with colleagues across different countries in the region opens new opportunities to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and expand the reach of their initiatives.

Representing the cohort, Myriam Pérez Caraballo (Venezuela) and Charlie Fuentes (Puerto Rico) shared reflections with their peers, drawing on ideas that emerged from a collaborative exercise. They noted that, for the GBEL 2026 cohort, the experience went beyond academic learning to foster a shared vision of the region. Throughout the program, 18 leaders from 11 countries found points of connection across their different industries, challenges, and cultures, recognizing the value of learning and building together. Beyond gaining new tools for leadership, strategy, and purpose, they left with the conviction that collaboration and regional connections are powerful drivers of transformative impact in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“GBEL is a transformative experience where business leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean come together to gain practical tools that enable them to turn strategic vision into action and advance their companies in the global arena.”— Ricardo Ernst, Executive Director of LALP

The Latin America Leadership Program celebrates the successful completion of the third edition of GBEL and the emergence of a new generation of leaders who conclude this experience with tools, knowledge, and strategic connections that extend well beyond the program. This regional network positions them to drive meaningful transformation within their organizations and contribute to the development and competitiveness of Latin America and the Caribbean.

We are excited to continue supporting these leaders as they put into practice the projects and lessons developed throughout the program. We also look forward to welcoming the next generation of business leaders who will join this community and help strengthen a regional network grounded in collaboration, leadership, and a commitment to transforming Latin America and the Caribbean.

Congratulations, GBEL 2026 cohort!