Dear friends,

With this Spring newsletter, I would like to take the opportunity to share the latest highlights from our annual flagship programs, GCL, ILG, and now GBEL. These unique experiential programs continue to showcase Georgetown's academic excellence and our deep commitment to the region, as we work to empower regional leaders to generate a positive multiplier impact throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Earlier this month, we proudly celebrated the graduation of the 19th cohort of our Global Competitiveness Leadership (GCL) program. With their completion, the LALP alumni network has grown to 978 leaders across 23 countries. I encourage you to read more about their transformative experience in the section below. These participants truly reflect the diversity, creativity, commitment, and strength of the region’s rising talent. We are honored to invest in their development each year, made possible by the generous support of Georgetown University donors and sponsors.

Last week, we launched the call for applications for the 12th edition of our Innovation and Leadership in Government (ILG) program. Designed for leaders in the public, social, multilateral, and international cooperation sectors, ILG fosters peer-to-peer learning and principled, transformational leadership to tackle the region's most pressing challenges. Featuring top Georgetown faculty, this year’s edition will run from October 6 to November 14, combining four weeks of virtual learning and a one-week in-person residency at Georgetown University. If you are in Washington, D.C., on November 14, we'd love for you to join us for the program culmination ceremony!

Meanwhile, we also kicked off the second edition of our newest flagship program—Global Business Executive Leadership (GBEL)—in Panama City. Participants engaged in dynamic sessions on globalization, competitiveness, governance, and strengths-based leadership, and took part in an insightful panel with top business leaders, who generously shared their perspectives with our participants and guests. Following this on-site experience, they will complete eight weeks of virtual coursework and a final in-person residency at Georgetown University. We are truly thrilled to equip these business leaders with the tools to navigate today’s dynamic and interconnected business landscape.

Of course, the true impact of our flagship programs lies in the continued achievements of our extraordinary alumni. In this issue, we proudly honor our latest LALP Impact Award winners: Felipe Paullier (GCL 2017) and Isabel Tarrisse da Fontoura (ILG 2020). Felipe is deeply committed to youth affairs, both in Uruguay and at the United Nations. Isabel’s leadership has been instrumental in the strategic development and growth of ColaboraGov, a groundbreaking model of inter-ministerial collaboration in Brazil.

Thank you for being part of our mission—to educate, connect, and inspire regional leaders who are shaping a better future for Latin America and the Caribbean. Your continued support helps us grow this powerful network of changemakers.

Sincerely,

Ricardo Ernst, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Latin America Leadership Program 

LALP just opened the call for the 12th edition of its flagship program of Innovation and Leadership in Government (ILG 2025), an immersive academic experience that brings together a select and diverse group of Latin American leaders from the public, social, multilateral, and international cooperation to advance knowledge, exchange ideas and the analyze innovation opportunities in the face of the region's most urgent challenges. 

This annual program, which is taught in Spanish, equips participants with analytical tools and frameworks necessary for the development and execution of public policies and innovative social initiatives while providing them with leadership development opportunities so they can foster new ideas and programs in their respective organizations.

2025 ILG Program Dates



• From October 6-31, 2025, live online content (part-time)
• November 3-7, 2025 - asynchronous work on projects with mentor support
• From November 10-14, 2025, in person at Georgetown University (full-time)

The call for applications will be open from April 21 until June 23, 2025. Partial scholarships may be available for qualified candidates. Any questions, email us at lalp@georgetown.edu

On April 2, the cohort of the 19th edition of the Global Competitiveness Leadership Program (GCL) bid farewell to Georgetown as they prepared to return to their countries to implement their social impact projects and initiatives. This year’s cohort included 30 individuals from 14 different countries and 23 cities across Latin America and the Caribbean, showcasing the rich diversity of talent in the region striving to realize social change. This year's cohort consisted of 18 women and 12 men, marking the third year in a row of increased participation from female leaders in the region. GCL 2025 projects spanned 12 project areas, with the three most common ones being agriculture and rural development; education; and media and communications. 

Save the Date: The call for applications for GCL 2026 will open on June 2.

Any questions, email us at lalp@georgetown.edu

Last week, on April 23, we officially kicked off the second edition of our flagship Global Business Executive Leadership (GBEL) program in Panama City!

GBEL 2025 brings together business representatives from over 12 countries spanning Latin America and the Caribbean as they embark on a 4-month academic and experiential journey where they'll forge longstanding connections and gain new tools and frameworks to apply to real-life business cases for their organizations. The academic sessions during the Panama module, which explored the new globalization and leadership paradigma, were complemented by interactive sessions with high-level speakers, such as Felipe Commentz from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), Juan Raul Humbert, President, Banco General, Jaime Aleman, Lawyer & Former Panamanian Ambassador to the USA, and Niurka Montero, GM at Dell Technologies Panama & President of AmCham Panama. The 2025 GBEL cohort will continue their program experience virtually before coming to campus in July for their final culmination residency.

The GBEL program is offered annually and is designed by Georgetown's Latin America Leadership Program (LALP) to equip regional business leaders to drive organizational success in today's dynamic and interconnected world.​

2025 GCL and ILG Impact Award Winners

FEATURED PUBLICATIONS

Check the Latest Issues of the GCG Journal

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

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