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LALP News, Winter 2025

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From the Executive Director

Dear friends,


In this spring newsletter, I am excited to share our latest updates with you. This week, we officially launched the 19th edition of the Global Competitiveness Leadership (GCL) program with a group of enthusiastic emergent social impact changemakers who will graduate in April. I am also delighted to share that in October, we celebrated the successful graduation of the 11th cohort of the Innovation and Leadership in Government (ILG) program, which included public and social leaders from 13 countries working to transform their communities.


Regarding our new business program, Global Business Executive Leadership (GBEL), following the success of its first edition last year, we have opened applications for the second edition. GBEL 2025 will kick off on April 23 in Panama with an in-person residency, followed by an 8-week virtual module, and closing on campus, here at Georgetown University, in July. We highly encourage you to share the information you received via email, also available on our social media channels, with your networks, as the application process closes on February 1.


As for our alumni network initiatives, November was an active month. The GCL alumni reunion took place in Quito, and the ILG alumni reunion was held in Lima. On both occasions, I had the pleasure of engaging virtually with participants to discuss the outlook for the region in the coming years, particularly in light of the U.S. electoral process. For 2025, mark your calendars—this fall, the GCL alumni reunion will be held in Barcelona.


Speaking of alumni, the self-motivation that defines the participants of our programs, the collaboration across the network, and the impact they make in their communities, countries, or even internationally are the best testimonies of LALP’s purpose. In this newsletter, we share four success and inspiration stories. I hope these stories provide you with new perspectives and inspiration, as they have for me.


The impact of our alumni is a beacon of inspiration, and at LALP, we are eager to celebrate it. We recently opened applications for the 2025 LALP Impact Award, so I warmly invite all our GCL and ILG alumni to share your story or nominate a deserving alumni candidate. Let your achievements shine and submit your nominations by January 31.


In terms of events and collaboration, one of our key areas in the program, this past quarter, we had the opportunity to engage with organizations such as Transparencia Democratica by hosting a conversation with professors Michael Shifter and Juan Luis Manfredi, and other Georgetown University units like the Latin America Policy Association (LAPA) by participating in their GU LATAM Conference. These interactions strengthened relationships and allowed us to engage in crucial dialogues with government, business, civil society, and academic leaders, specifically on electoral and sustainability issues and their impact on the region.


Finally, as the new year unfolds, we stand on the cusp of challenges and opportunities that will share our region’s path. At LALP, we reaffirm our commitment to educating, connecting, and inspiring regional leaders to build impactful networks that create a positive multiplier effect across Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond.


As I often say in our interactions: If not today, when? And if not us, who?


Sincerely,

Ricardo Ernst, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Latin America Leadership Program 

FEATURED PROGRAMS

Closing Soon: Apply for Georgetown's GBEL

Applications Close on February 1, 2025

Georgetown University's Global Business Executive Leadership (GBEL) program is a unique program for business leaders looking to advance their leadership and multiply their organization's global impact and regional competitiveness. Participants develop an applied business project proposal where they identify a challenge they currently face in their organizations and propose a comprehensive strategy to address it. Upon completing this program, regional business executives are equipped with a holistic understanding of global business dynamics and the ability to drive strategic initiatives in their organizations, positioning them as effective leaders in today's rapidly evolving business environment.

+Apply to GBEL by February 1
+Learn More about GBEL

ILG 2024 Meet to Transform their Communities in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Innovation and Leadership in Government (ILG) program successfully closed its 11th edition, welcoming 27 public sector leaders from 13 countries who are working across 10 thematic areas to transform their communities, utilizing innovative solutions and processes to tackle urgent issues, as showcased in their outstanding projects. The 2024 cohort’s heavy focus on technology, innovation sustainability, and the environment represents the new rising and time-sensitive challenges the countries in the region are facing. 

Save the Date: Apply to ILG 2025 - April 21- June 23, 2025

+ILG 2024 Cohort Experience

Welcome to our 2025 Global Competitiveness Leadership (GCL) Cohort!

This week, we officially launched the 19th edition of the Global Competitiveness Leadership (GCL) program with a group of enthusiastic emergent social impact changemakers who will graduate in April. The 2025 cohort started their academic sessions this week and will soon arrive on campus for a six-week in-person experiential program to further their personal leadership and project management. On April 1, all of them will be presenting their projects to a panel of judges. If you are interested in attending, please email us at lalp@georgetown.edu.

Save the Date: Apply to GCL 2026- June 2- August 15, 2025

+Learn more about GCL

FEATURED IMPACT

Nominations Open for the 2025 LALP Impact Awards

For GCL and ILG Alumni

We are accepting nominations for the 2025 GCL Impact and ILG Impact Awards. These annual recognitions celebrate the unique and inspiring journeys of our Global Competitiveness Leadership (GCL) and Innovation and Leadership in Government (ILG) programs' alumni/who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting the multiplier effect of LALP programs and whose projects have generated innovative and positive impact in Latin America and the Caribbean.


LALP alumni can submit their nominations by January 31.

+Apply to GCL Impact Award 
+ Apply to ILG Impact Award
+ GCL Impact Award
+ILG Impact Award

Opening access to legal services and technology for SMBs across Latin America

Gustavo Rodríguez (GCL 2019, Mexico) has transformed his career from corporate lawyer to entrepreneur with a mission to create social good through innovation. As the founder of Rafik, a legal tech platform, Gustavo works to democratize access to legal services and technology for small and medium-sized businesses across the region.

+Gustavo

Transforming the Green Investment Landscape in Latin America

Samir Mariñez (ILG 2018, Dominican Republic) and Victoria Galeano (ILG Program Guest Lecturer) have joined forces to amplify the transition to green technologies and sustainable practices while addressing the financing gaps for such projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through their respective consulting firms, this unique partnership harnesses their expertise in sustainable finance, blue economy, and environmental stewardship to facilitate the region’s shift toward a more sustainable future.

+Samir/Victoria

A Focus on Innovation for Economic and Social Development

From their different public roles, Julissa Cruz and Edwin Eusebio Feliz Brito, both ILG 2023 alumni from the Dominican Republic, are answering the call to action that the Innovation and Leadership in Government program seeks to inspire regional leaders to foster positive change in their countries. Julissa and Edwin are both helping transform the Dominican Republic from their own respective areas of expertise, showcasing their personal commitment and vocation that have led them to become public servants.

+Julissa/Edwin

FEATURED EVENTS

Electoral Technology: A Key Tool in the Process

Following the U.S. elections on November 5, a delegation from Transparencia Electoral—a nonprofit organization that promotes democratic values and actions to support elections' compliance with internationally recognized integrity standards—visited Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business (MSB) and the Latin America Leadership Program (LALP) to participate in a discussion on the upcoming elections and electoral analysis. During the visit, the delegation participated in a conversation with Professors Michael Shifter and Juan Luis Manfredi, who shared their perspectives on the elections, the new administration, and its impact both domestically and in Latin America.

+ Transparencia Electoral

2024 GU LATAM Conference Featuring Prof. Ernst

On November 12 and 13, 2024, LALP joined forces with other centers and student organizations across campus to present the Georgetown University Latin American Conference (GU LATAM). In a thought-provoking panel moderated by our Executive Director, Ricardo Ernst, and featuring Kerrie Carfagno, director of the Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability (MS-ESM), and Alfredo Villavicencio, CIF evaluation specialist, panelists shared their perspectives on the role of public and private institutions as well as civil society in adopting and promoting a sustainable approach that allows the region to compete globally.

+2024 GU Latam

GCL ALUMNI: SAVE THE DATE


2025 GCL Alumni Townhall

February 18, 2025, @6 pm (ET)

Virtual


2025 GCL Alumni Reunion

October 30-November 1, 2025

Barcelona, Spain

FEATURED PUBLICATIONS

Check the Latest Issues of Georgetown' GCG Journal

Georgetown University's quarterly GCG journal features innovative proposals to help improve the competitiveness and governability of Ibero-American companies and countries in a globalized world. The journal includes theoretical contributions, practical applications, and real case studies about the effects of globalization on the competitiveness and governability of businesses and countries in Latin America.

GCG Volume 19, Number 1 (January 2025)
GCG Volume 18, Number 3 (Septemeber 2024)
GCG Volume 18, Number 2 (May 2024)

LATEST NEWS FROM OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS

A New Book by LALP Guest Lecturer and Professional Coach, Diane Garza

Open Applications for Halcyon Climate Fellowship Program

The Latin America Leadership Program | Georgetown University | lalp@georgetown.edu

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