FELLOWS
COHORT 7
Vannessa Bautista Andrade - An international business administrator with a Master's degree in International Negotiation and Public Policy Development from Switzerland and a Master's degree in International Relations and Geopolitics from the United Kingdom, she has over seventeen years of experience in corporate affairs, geopolitics, communications, and public policy in Latin America.
Ismael Caicedo Ocampo - A survivor of the armed conflict and a social leader, he holds a Master's degree in Peace, Development, and Citizenship from Minuto de Dios University. In 2023, he was recognized as a winner of the Generation 2050 School of Leadership and Public Management, with a scholarship to pursue a specialization in Government and Public Affairs at Simón Bolívar University. In 2024, he received the distinction of meritorious and outstanding graduate from the University of Pamplona. His dedication to humanitarian work, within the framework of human rights and international humanitarian law, led him to become a U.S. State Department fellow through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), in Washington, Albuquerque, Cleveland, and Columbia.
Herner Carreño Sanchez - A professional in International Relations and Political Studies, a lawyer, specializing in Political Marketing and Campaign Strategies, and in Labor Law and Industrial Relations. He is currently conducting research for a Master's degree in Human Rights. He has worked in the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of government, as well as in oversight bodies such as Territorial Comptroller's Offices and Municipal Ombudsman's Offices, focusing on the defense and promotion of human rights.
Sandra M. Cobos Angulo - Former Traditional Governor of the Muisca Indigenous Council of Bosa, she is an engineer by profession and a specialist in land rights, with extensive experience in community processes, social organization, cultural conservation and management, as well as in promoting political and organizational action in complex and intercultural contexts.
Fernando Cortés - An experienced leader in the social sector, where he has served with distinction for over 15 years, he has championed initiatives that empower young people to discover and develop their life plans, focusing on education, employability, and entrepreneurship.
M. Ximena Figueroa - An Indigenous Pijao woman from the Matora Indigenous Community of Maito, feminist, and activist for the rights of Indigenous, rural, and Afro-descendant women and children. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Quindío in partnership with the University of Tolima, a Project Management Specialist from the Asturia University Corporation, and a Master's student in Peacebuilding at the Institute for Peace - Institute of Higher Studies for Peace and Development in Mexico.
Daniel Gómez Gaviria - He has served as Deputy Director of the National Planning Department, Senior Economist at the World Bank, Director of Competitiveness at the World Economic Forum, advisor at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, researcher at Fedesarrollo, and professor at the Universities of Los Andes and Javeriana. He holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Lausanne, where he also earned a Master's degree in Banking and Finance, and an MBA and PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago.
Juan Carlos Mantilla - Professor, active citizen, composer, athlete, and reader. Committed to the humanities and applied ethics as essential elements of contemporary education. He holds a political science degree from the Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá and a PhD in Social and Human Sciences from the same university. He also holds master's degrees in Political Science and Philosophy from the Universidad de Los Andes and the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, respectively.
Camila Márquez Leiva - She studied Business Administration with minors in Psychology and International Studies, and holds a Master's degree in International Development with an emphasis on governance, social inclusion, climate action, and environmental sustainability.
Catalina Montes - A lawyer with a Master's degree in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Management, she focuses on the constant development of new capabilities, enabling her to become a strategic ally of business activity and someone who inspires her team to achieve transformation through results.
Camilo Patiño Mejía - A composer and artist from Medellín, he has spent over 20 years working from his artistic perspective to understand the reasons that make our land one that has learned to dance through the drama despite everything. He has composed and published over 40 songs, where he seeks to shed light on those who are asking the same question but haven't had the tools that art offers as a lifesaver.
Alicia M. Peñaranda Fernández - A political scientist with a master's degree in Political Communication from the Complutense University of Madrid and a PhD candidate in Sustainability of the Digital Society, she has over 13 years of experience in communications and public affairs consulting, working with campaigns, governments, and political leaders.
Camila Salamanca - An economist with a master's degree in economics from the Universidad de los Andes and an MBA from the University of Michigan, she worked for Endeavor Colombia for 11 years after working at Anif and Fedesarrollo.
Lina Sinisterra Mazariegos - Political scientist, specialist in Government and Public Affairs, with a master's degree in Public Policy. She has held leadership positions in state, trade, and business organizations, with an emphasis on strategic communication, institutional coordination, crisis management, and environmental management.