Global Americans is proud to launch a new research initiative evaluating the future of U.S.-Ecuador relations. This independent project will examine how both the United States and Ecuador might benefit from deeper engagement; a dedication to common principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; and an emphasis on shared prosperity. At the end of this project, Global Americans will offer specific recommendations on how to strengthen the U.S.-Ecuador relationship to the benefit of the people of both countries.
Recent developments in both the U.S. and Ecuador—including the elections of new presidents in both countries—offer a unique opportunity to discuss how the two countries might combat the COVID-19 pandemic, spark economic growth, and pursue other priorities.
As part of this project, Global Americans is excited to announce the formation of a High-Level Working Group, comprised of current and former policymakers, seasoned foreign service professionals, business leaders, and scholars. The High-Level Working Group will serve as a forum for nonpartisan and transregional discussion, providing expert analysis on a series of research-intensive reports.
In the coming months, Global Americans will present findings to policymakers and civil society leaders across the hemisphere. The reports will also be featured on the Global Americans website and across other relevant Global Americans social media and multimedia channels.
For more information on this High-Level Working Group, please find in the remainder of this announcement a brief biography of each Working Group member. A special thanks to all of our project contributors for their commitment and dedication to this initiative. We look forward to sharing more on this project in the months ahead.
Meet our High-Level Working Group
- Abelardo Pachano, Ecuador – Former General Manager of the Central Bank of Ecuador
- Anibal Romero, United States – Founder of The Romero Firm
- Carolina Barco, Colombia – Former Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the United States
- Caterina Costa, Ecuador – President of the Industrial Group Poligrup
- Christian Gómez, United States – Walmart’s Director of Global Government Affairs for Latin America
- Enrique Crespo, Ecuador – Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum
- Guy Edwards, United States – Former Senior Consultant in the Climate Change Division at the Inter-American Development Bank
- José Antonio Ocampo, Colombia – Professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs
- Luis Enrique García, Bolivia – Former Executive President of CAF
- Luis Felipe Duchicela, Ecuador – Former Global Advisor on Indigenous Peoples at the World Bank
- Luis Gilberto Murillo-Urrutia, Colombia – Former Governor of the Colombian State of Choco
- Magdalena Barreiro, Ecuador – Professor of Finance at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito and former Minister of Economy and Finance for Ecuador
- María Gloria Barreiro, Ecuador – Executive Director of Desarrollo y Autogestión (Development and Self-Management, or DyA) Peru
- Maria Rosa Baquerizo, Ecuador – CEO of the Andean American Association
- María Sara Jijón Calderón, Ecuador – Former Undersecretary General of Governance in Ecuador
- Maria Sonsoles García León, Ecuador – President of the Foreign Trade and Investment Policy Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce in Ecuador
- Nathalie Cely Suárez, Ecuador – Former Ambassador of Ecuador to the United States
- Nelson Ortiz, Venezuela – Former President of the Caracas Stock Exchange
- Nicolás Albertoni, Uruguay – Professor at the Universidad Católica del Uruguay
- Nicolas Espinosa Maldonado, Ecuador – President of the National Finance Corporation (CFN)
- Olga Lucía Lozano, Colombia – Former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade for Colombia
- Patricio Navia, Chile – Professor at New York University and the Universidad Diego Portales in Chile
- Richard Feinberg, United States – Professor at the School of Global Policy and Strategy, University of California, San Diego
- Rodrigo De la Cruz Inlago, Ecuador – Member of the Global Steering Committee for the World Bank’s Dedicated Grant Mechanism (DGM) for Indigenous Peoples
- Tulio Vera, United States (Working Group Chair) – Former Managing Director and the Chief Investment Strategist for the J.P. Morgan (JPM) Latin America Private Bank
- Verónica Arias, Ecuador – Former Secretary of Environment of the Metropolitan District of Quito
- Veronica Vasconez, Ecuador – Consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank at the Innovation for Citizen Services Division (ICS)
- Walter Spurrier, Ecuador – President of Grupo Spurrier
Please click here if you would like to read the full biographies of each of our High Level-Working Group members.
