Dear LALP Community,

As today we open registration to join us this fall to celebrate 20 Years of LALP's Impact, this milestone is not simply about marking time, but about looking ahead, on how our programs continue to deepen, expand, and multiply the impact that defines our community, continuing to tackling the most pressing challenges and opportunities across the region to drive positive change.

In that spirit, I am pleased to share that the call for applications for our 2026 Innovation and Leadership in Government (ILG) program is now open. If you are working in public, social, or multilateral institutions to advance public innovation in the region, I encourage you to apply between April 13 and June 12, 2026, at bit.ly/ApplyILG.

I also want to congratulate the 20th cohort of our Global Competitiveness Leadership (GCL) program, which culminated their program experience on March 25. Their ongoing positive testimonials are a powerful reminder that, after two decades, LALP’s impact continues to grow and transform lives. At the same time, we are in the midst of the admissions process for the third edition of our Global Business Executive Leadership (GBEL) program, a new initiative that further strengthens our commitment to foster cross-sector collaboration and lead regional competitiveness and innovation in the new global landscape.

Beyond our core initiatives, our commitment to leadership development extends through our custom programs. For over a decade, we have partnered with organizations and regional groups to address critical challenges, always grounded in a regional leadership perspective. Most recently, we concluded a collaboration with INDOTEL (Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones) of the Dominican Republic, including a high-level program which convened leaders, advanced dialogue on shared priorities, and hosted a high-level engagement event on how countries approach telecommunication decisions.

Our LALP alumni remain our greatest source of pride. I would like to recognize Vania Garcia (ILG 2018), recently appointed Ambassador of Honduras to Peru; Mario Romero (GCL 2007), of Impact Hub Mexico, who, through Ola México, is leading efforts to foster sustainable entrepreneurship in World Cup host communities; and Ana Gabriela Quirós (GBEL 2025), now leading the Board of Voces Vitales in El Salvador, advancing women’s economic empowerment. Their work reflects the enduring commitment of our network to the common good.

As we approach our 20 Year milestone, I invite you to reconnect, with Georgetown, with LALP, with one another, and with our shared mission. We hope you will join us this fall to celebrate, reflect, and help shape what comes next.

Sincerely,

Ricardo Ernst, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Latin America Leadership Program (LALP)

LALP just opened the call for the 13th edition of its flagship program of Innovation and Leadership in Government/Innovación y Liderazgo en Gobierno (ILG 2026), an immersive academic experience that brings together a select and diverse group of Latin American leaders from the public, social, multilateral, and international cooperation sectors to advance knowledge, exchange ideas and analyze public innovation opportunities in the face of the region's most urgent challenges.



Program Dates:

Sept. 28–Oct. 23, 2026 (Zoom):

Live virtual sessions

October 26–30, 2026 (Asynchronous):

 Asynchronous week to finalize projects with mentor support.

Nov. 2–7, 2026 (at Georgetown University):

Nov. 2–5: In-person program

Nov. 5–7: 20 Years of LALP's Impact Events

This is a special edition of ILG, as the program culminates in a milestone anniversary event celebrating 20 Years of LALP's Impact and bringing together alumni from all generations and countries.

Apply to ILG 2026 from April 13, 2026, until June 12, 2026

Partial scholarships may be available for qualified candidates. Any questions, email us at lalp@georgetown.edu

GCL 2026: A Milestone

Representing 20 Years of Leadership, Innovation, Connection, and Impact

On March 25, 2026, the twentieth cohort of the Global Competitiveness Leadership (GCL) program completed its ten-week cycle, during which participants gained new knowledge, received mentorship, and built a network of colleagues with shared interests and values. This edition reflects the program’s success in developing emerging leaders and marks the beginning of a significant year, commemorating the first 20 years of impact of the Latin America Leadership Program (LALP), a milestone celebration that will take place from November 5 to 9, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

Returning to their countries and communities, the GCL 2026 graduates are now better prepared to carry out their social impact projects. This group, comprising 35 participants from 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries, highlights both the region’s diversity and the commitment of emerging leaders to drive social change through their initiatives. With 24 women and 11 men, the cohort continues the recent trend of increased female leadership. With their addition, the LALP alumni network reached 1,065 alumni across 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The projects of this cohort spanned 18 areas, with a practical, applicable focus, including finance, entrepreneurship, sustainability, environment, gender and inclusion, education, and science and technology.

Save the Date: GCL 2027 Call for Application – 21st Edition

GCL 2027 ​Application Opens on June 15, 2026

Application Closes on August 14, 2026

Notification of Admissions by November 2, 2026

New Custom Program and Feature Event

Technology & Geopolitics: How Countries Make Strategic Decisions About Networks

How do governments decide which technologies power their national networks? In an era where digital infrastructure shapes economic growth, security, and global influence, technology decisions have become increasingly geopolitical.

The Latin America Leadership Program (LALP) at Georgetown University, the Georgetown Americas Institute, and the Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones (INDOTEL) hosted a timely conversation exploring how countries evaluate strategic technology choices—from telecommunications infrastructure to emerging AI systems—and the policy, security, and economic considerations behind these decisions.

This event was organized within the Advanced Program in Telecommunications Security and Public Sector Leadership, a custom program developed by the Latin America Leadership Program (LALP) for INDOTEL and held at Georgetown University on March 11–13, 2026

The panel featured Guido Gómez Mazara, President of INDOTEL, and Michael Armao, Founder & CEO of Verstand AI, and was moderated by Ricardo Ernst, Executive Director of LALP. The discussion brought together leaders from academia, government, and industry to examine how nations navigate competing global technologies while safeguarding innovation, sovereignty, and connectivity.

FEATURED IMPACT

Vania García, ILG 2018, Named New Ambassador of Honduras to Peru

Promoting Local Sustainable Businesses for the World Cup

GCL 2007 alumnus Mario Romero Cantú is helping local businesses step into the spotlight ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will kick off this June 11 at Estadio Azteca. Through Ola México and his leadership at Impact Hub Mexico, Mario is supporting 400 MSMEs to formalize their businesses for scale to meet rising tourism demand, strengthening skills, communication, and access to financing so the tournament’s economic benefits stay within local communities for years to come and create a lasting model that can be replicated in other areas for inclusive growth.

GBEL 2025 Alumna Leading the Board of Voces Vitales El Salvador

As a proud GBEL 2025 alumna, Gabriela Quirós Mathies brings her global leadership perspective to her new role as Chair of Voces Vitales El Salvador. Drawing on her experience in finance, sustainability, and investment banking—as well as the values strengthened through the GBEL program—she is championing initiatives that expand financial literacy, leadership skills, and economic autonomy for Salvadoran women. In her new role, she aims to support 1,000 more women in the coming years, reinforcing her firm commitment to advancing inclusive growth and opportunities in El Salvador.

FEATURED EVENTS

20 Years of LALP's Impact | Now and Beyond

Georgetown University - November 5-9, 2026

A Milestone to Celebrate!

The event will bring together the Latin America Leadership Program (LALP) Alumni community from our three flagship programs—GCL, ILG, and GBEL—alongside university leadership, faculty members, and students from across Georgetown University interested in engaging with the region.



This celebration will take place at Georgetown University’s Hilltop Campus in Washington, D.C., with an agenda designed to strengthen our shared purpose and vision. The program will feature distinguished speakers and special guests who have supported and shaped the program over the past two decades.

Live LALP Alumni Registration for All Reunion Events

Registration is now open for the 20 Years of LALP's Impact Events, a milestone celebration of Georgetown University’s Latin America Leadership Program (LALP).

LALP alumni can register below to attend all reunion events, taking place November 5–9, 2026.

What’s new when you sign in to LALP Melian

• When you log in with your LALP credentials, you will be prompted to update your profile information.
• You will be asked to review and accept the new LALP Melian Community Terms of Use.
• After submitting your updates, you can adjust your privacy and visibility settings to choose which profile fields other alumni can see.

You can reset your password using your registered email on file. If you have any questions, please email lalp@georgetown.edu

"Ahead of the Curve: Building Regional Advantage in a Shifting Global Landscape"

November 6, 2026, Lohrfink Auditorium

As part of this commemorative week, LALP will host a one-day forum, "Ahead of the Curve: Building Regional Advantage in a Shifting Global Landscape," on Friday, November 6, at the Lohrfink Auditorium in the McDonough School of Business. Open to the entire Georgetown University community and external guests, the Forum will bring together leaders, scholars, and partners to exchange knowledge, reflect on shared regional challenges, and explore new opportunities for collaboration across the Americas. 

This gathering takes place at a pivotal moment for both the region and the university, strengthening connections between LALP alumni (GCL, ILG, and GBEL programs), regional partners, and Georgetown University. Forum participants are invited to engage in meaningful dialogue and deepen networks that have shaped two decades of impact. Register now to attend the Forum and be part of this special anniversary celebration.

FEATURED PUBLICATIONS

Check the Latest Issues of Georgetown's GCG Journal

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

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