BLISS Speakers

PRESIDENT, ROBERTO ARTAVIA INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING, S.A.

BIO:

Bio: Dr. Roberto Artavia is the President and Founder of Roberto Artavia Consultoría Internacional. With a distinguished career in academia and research, Dr. Artavia is the author of numerous books and academic articles on topics including development measurement, sustainable development, regional integration, competitive strategy, corporate governance, social responsibility, and agribusiness.

He holds a Doctorate from Harvard Business School (1992), an MBA from INCAE Business School (1982), and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point (1980).

DIRECTOR, CENTER ON GLOBAL DEMOCRACY & PROFESSOR, CORNELL UNIVERSITY

BIO:

Rachel Beatty Riedl is the Peggy J. Koenig ’78 Director of the Center on Global Democracy in the Brooks School of Public Policy, and a Professor in the Brooks School and Department of Government at Cornell University. 

Her research expertise is on democracy and authoritarianism globally, and particularly across Africa.  She focuses on questions of participation, institutions, political parties, and local governance. She recently led the USAID’s Democracy, Rights and Governance learning agenda “Opening Democratic Spaces” research report.  Riedl is also a member of the Open Society University Network’s Forum on Democracy and Development. Riedl is the author of the award-winning Authoritarian Origins of Democratic Party Systems in Africa and co-author of From Pews to Politics: Religious Sermons and Political Participation in Africa.  

She has been a visiting fellow at the Yale Program on Democracy, the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at Notre Dame, and the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies. She previously served as the John S. Knight Professor and Director of the Einaudi Center for International Studies at Cornell. She is a full member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is a member of the Editorial Committee of World Politics, and co-editor of the Cambridge University Press Elements series Politics of Development. 

Riedl served as the President of the Scientific Committee of the Institute of Advanced Studies (France), and as Chair of the Democracy and Autocracy section of the American Political Science Association. She has conducted policy analysis for USAID, the World Bank, the State Department, the Carter Center, and other organizations on issues pertaining to governance reforms, elections, democratic representation, and identity politics.

PRESIDENT, HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION

BIO:

Céline Boustani is the president of the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), where she leads the organization’s programs and campaigns. She joined HRF’s Center for Law and Democracy in 2014, focusing her legal and advocacy work on protecting freedom of expression in Arabic and French-speaking countries.

She holds a master’s in international law from Columbia Law School and a master’s in French law from Pantheon-Assas Paris II, France. Boustani has spoken at numerous conferences and events, including the Oslo Freedom Forum, SXSW, and RightsCon, and her writing and views have appeared in international media outlets, including The Washington Post, New York Times, Newsweek, and l’Express.

AUTHOR AND GENERAL PARTNER, EGODEATH CAPITAL

BIO:

Jeff Booth is a visionary leader, technology entrepreneur and best-selling author of The Price of Tomorrow – Why Deflation is Key to an Abundant Future.  With his expertise in technology, system thinking and design, he is at the forefront of a transition from an economic system built for the past, and one built for the future. 

Jeff has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, Inc.com, The Globe and Mail, BNN, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal. In 2015, he was named BC Technology Industry Association’s (BCTIA) Person of the Year, and in 2016 Goldman Sachs named him among its 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.

He is a Founding Partner of ego death capital, Co-Founder of addy and NocNoc.  He has been a Young Presidents Organization member since 2004 and contributes time as a Founding Fellow at the Creative Destruction Lab.

Jeff currently sits on the boards of Core Scientific, Scoop Solar, Fedi and Breez.  

CEO, THE DEMOCRACY LAB FOUNDATION

BIO:

With a bachelor's degree in business and a master's in marketing, she brings a diverse background in corporate sales, marketing, tech startup HR, and entrepreneurship coaching. As a key leader at Demo Lab, she plays a crucial role in driving the organization toward excellence through entrepreneurial principles. She expertly leads the development and execution of high-impact strategic initiatives that align with Demo Lab's mission and propel its vision forward.

Outside of work, she’s an early riser, smoothie enthusiast, and passionate about fitness. Her dynamic approach to both her professional and personal life reflects her commitment to growth and well-being.

PRESIDENT, UNIVERSIDAD FRANCISCO MARROQUÍN

BIO:

Gabriel Calzada Álvarez, born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1972, is a Spanish economist affiliated with the Austrian School of Economics. He currently serves as the President of Universidad Francisco Marroquín and was Vice President from 2012 to 2013. Additionally, he is a board member of the Association for Private Enterprise Education in the USA and co-founder of the Online Graduate Center of Madrid Manuel Ayau (OMMA).

Calzada earned his PhD in Economics from Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid. He has taught at IE University and Rey Juan Carlos University and has been a visiting professor at Francisco de Vitoria University and the Geneva Center for Security Policy. He is also an academic member of the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Auburn, USA, and a member of the Mont Pelerin Society.

In 2005, Calzada founded the Juan de Mariana Institute for Economic and Political Studies, where he remains as the founding president. He has published more than 500 opinion columns in national and international media and is an active speaker represented by Thinking Heads. His expertise has led to multiple invitations to testify before the U.S. Congress and Senate on topics such as energy and environmental policy.

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA (2010-2014)

BIO:

 Costa Rican political scientist and politician who served as the 46th President of Costa Rica from 2010 to 2014. Born in San José, she held various prominent positions, including Minister of Justice and First-Vice President under President Óscar Arias Sánchez. Chinchilla made history as the first woman to become President of Costa Rica, securing victory in the 2010 general election.

Beyond her political career, she is an educator, having taught at Georgetown University in 2016, and is actively involved in think tanks such as the Inter-American Dialogue, where she serves as co-chair, and Club de Madrid, where she is the vice-president.

CHIEF OF STAFF AND PROJECT DIRECTOR OF THE DEMOLAB FREEDOM ACADEMY, THE DEMOCRACY LAB FOUNDATION

BIO:

As Chief of Staff at The Democracy Lab, Nia leads pro-democracy education and civic tech initiatives across Costa Rica and Latin America. She has played a pivotal role in developing the DemoLab Freedom Curriculum, which highlights the stories of Latin American human rights advocates to raise awareness about democratic backsliding and empower individuals to drive change. Nia also spearheads the Freedom Academy, engaging young people through sports, art, and technology to promote civic education and the values of freedom.

Drawing from her extensive experience in the private sector—including private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and executive search—Nia blends business acumen with her passion for strategic leadership, communications, and program management. Her previous work in sustainable development and educational charities further underscores her commitment to social impact.

A graduate of the University of Birmingham with a BA in International Relations, Nia is dedicated to empowering citizens and advancing liberty and democracy throughout the region.

PETER MOORES DEAN AND PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT SAÏD BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

BIO:

Soumitra Dutta is Peter Moores Dean and Professor of Management, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and a Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford.

Before joining the School in 2022, he was Professor of Management and the former founding Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University, New York. Previously, he was the Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean of the Johnson Graduate School of Management (Cornell University) and a Deputy Dean at INSEAD. Soumitra is the Chair of the Board of the Global Business School and is on the advisory boards of several business schools including HEC Montréal (Canada), Centrum Catholica (Peru), University of Los Andes (Colombia), and ESADE (Spain). Previously he was the Vice Chair and Chair of AACSB International, the leading accreditation body for business schools worldwide.

He received a B. Tech. in electrical engineering and computer science from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, an MS in both business administration and computer science, and a PhD in computer science from the University of California at Berkeley. In 2017, he received the Distinguished Alumnus award from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA (2018-2022)

BIO: 

Former President of the Republic of Colombia (2018–2022), Politician, Writer, Philanthropist, and Entrepreneur.

Iván Duque, a visionary leader and trailblazer, served as the youngest elected President in Colombia’s history, taking office at the age of 41 in 2018. As a devoted husband to Maria Juliana and father of three, Duque's commitment to family values is as strong as his dedication to public service and global initiatives.

Currently, Iván Duque is a Leadership Council Member at Concordia, a Distinguished Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center, Oxford University, WRI, FIU – Adam Smith Center, Bezos Earth Fund, Cornell Emerging Markets Institute (EMI), Yale – Jackson School of Government, EI University and at Barna School of Management. He also serves on the Jane Goodall Foundation Council for Hope, is an Ambassador for the World Coalition for Nature, and a member of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) Steering Committee. His board memberships include Conservation International, the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the McKinsey Sustainability Advisory Council, and the FIFA Foundation Advisory Board.

A recognized global expert in security affairs, migration, sustainability, conservation, green finance, and energy transition, Duque has consistently driven impactful initiatives. In 2022, he launched the Concordia Amazon Initiative, which unites leading minds to protect the Amazon rainforest. Additionally, he founded the I+D Foundation to foster young innovators from Colombia's most remote regions.

In 2024, Duque is set to further his legacy with the launch of the Iván Duque Center for Prosperity and Freedom at the Wilson Center. This initiative aims to advance dialogues and policies that promote prosperity, freedom, and sustainable development on a hemispheric scale.

Iván Duque's relentless dedication to these causes exemplifies his enduring impact on the world stage, making him a pivotal figure in contemporary global affairs.

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION

BIO:

Alex Gladstein is the chief strategy officer at the Human Rights Foundation. He also serves as vice president of strategy for the Oslo Freedom Forum. 

In his work, Gladstein has connected hundreds of dissidents and civil society groups with business leaders, technologists, journalists, philanthropists, policymakers, and artists to promote free and open societies. 

Gladstein’s writing and views on human rights and technology have appeared in media outlets across the world, including The Atlantic, BBC, CNN, Fast Company, The Guardian, Monocle, The New Republic, The New York Times, NowThis, NPR, Quartz, TIME, The Wall Street Journal, and WIRED. He has spoken at universities ranging from MIT to Stanford, presented at the European Parliament and US Department of State, and participated in Singularity University events worldwide, where he serves as faculty and lectures on bitcoin and the future of money. 

CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, ECOVILLA

BIO:

Sebastian is a serial entrepreneur in the digital age with a solid financial and technology background and experience in the USA and EU. From his first experience at Apple Computer, he has developed a passion for innovation. Former Chairman and CEO of Valtech, a French public company that he bought in 2010 for U$D40 Million at the brisk of bankruptcy, turned it around to become the world's leading business transformation agency. Valtech was sold to BC Partners, a UK-US Private equity fund for U$D 1.4 Billion in October 2021. 

Sebastian is currently co-founder and Chairman of Smart Immune, a French clinical-stage Biotechnology company. He co-founded Smart Immune with three remarkable women and scientists. Sebastian is a board member of DKMS, the world-leading, and biggest bone-marrow donor’s transplantation bank.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL (RET.) H.R. MCMASTER

BIO:

H.R. McMaster holds esteemed positions as the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and as the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute. Additionally, he serves as a lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.

Upon graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1984, McMaster embarked on a distinguished 34-year career in the U.S. Army, retiring in June 2018 at the rank of lieutenant general. Notably, he served as the 25th Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs. Between 2014 and 2017, McMaster played a pivotal role in shaping the future army as the director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center and deputy commanding general, futures, of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). As the commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, he oversaw all training and education for the army’s infantry, armor, and cavalry forces.

His wartime command experience includes leading the Combined Joint Inter-Agency Task Force—Shafafiyat in Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2010 to 2012; the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment in Iraq from 2005 to 2006; and Eagle Troop, Second Armored Cavalry Regiment during Operation Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991. McMaster also served as an advisor to senior commanders in the Middle East, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

McMaster holds a Ph.D. in military history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He previously served as an assistant professor of history at the U.S. Military Academy. He is the author of the bestselling books "Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World" and "Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies that Led to Vietnam." In August 2024, he published his latest book, "At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House." His extensive essays, articles, and book reviews on leadership, history, and the future of warfare have been featured in The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, National Review, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.

CEO, FORWARD GLOBAL

BIO:

Renee Kaplan is Forward Global’s Chief Executive Officer. Formerly she was Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Programs at the Skoll Foundation where she oversaw the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, the Skoll World Forum, strategic alliances, and communications.

Renee has more than 20 years of business experience in the corporate, entrepreneurial, and foundation sectors. Her professional background includes eight years at Microsoft in corporate and international marketing–working directly with executive leadership and spending considerable time in India, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Following Microsoft, she was the founder and CEO of an e-commerce startup, FutureWorkplace, Inc., which was eventually sold. As an entrepreneur, she was active in the Young Entrepreneurs Organization (Y.E.O.) and was named to the “40 Under 40” list by the Puget Sound Business Journal recognizing the region’s visionary business leaders. After selling her business, she spent six years as executive vice president of the Casey Family Programs Foundation, focusing on improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families in the U.S. Before her role at Skoll, she was the principal of RKaplan Consulting and partnered with clients including The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Giving Pledge, Trusera Corporation, the Palo Alto Unified School District, Stanford University Center on Philanthropy and Civic Society, and The White House Council on Community Solutions. Renee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Edward R. Murrow School of Journalism (with an emphasis in International Studies) at Washington State University and has a passion for advising entrepreneurs and social ventures. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two sons and is a competitive soccer player.

CEO, FEDI  

BIO:

Obi Nwosu is a leading figure in the Bitcoin industry, serving as the CEO of Fedi and advocating for the mass adoption of Bitcoin. With a wealth of experience in the field, he founded the Coinfloor Bitcoin exchange and currently holds influential positions on the boards of ₿trust and The Reynolds Foundation. Additionally, Nwosu lends his expertise as a board advisor at Gridless Compute. As a seasoned Bitcoin industry veteran, Obi Nwosu is at the forefront of applying Bitcoin’s privacy and smart contract architecture to address complex challenges faced by democracies worldwide. His innovative approaches are paving the way for advancements in the integration of Bitcoin technology into various sectors, fostering transparency and efficiency. Nwosu's dedication to leveraging Bitcoin's capabilities for positive societal impact underscores his commitment to driving meaningful change on a global scale.

SWAZI HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND CEO, THE THULANI MASEKO FOUNDATION

BIO:

Tanele Maseko is a Swazi human rights activist and the widow of Thulani Maseko, a renowned Swazi human rights lawyer and peaceful pro-democracy leader. She campaigned for her husband’s release when he was imprisoned in 2009 for criticizing the absence of democracy in the kingdom, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, and again in 2014, after he was jailed for criticizing abuse of power in the judiciary. That year, she spoke at the Oslo Freedom Forum and read a letter her husband had written in his prison cell.

Despite the traumatic experience of witnessing her husband’s January 2023 assassination, she’s carrying on pro-democracy and human rights activism with exceptional resilience and grace. She is the vice chairperson of Southern Defenders, a network of human rights defenders in southern Africa, and the CEO of the Thulani Maseko Foundation.

ZIMBABWEAN CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND MOVEMENT BUILDER, PASTOR AND LEADER, #THISFLAG CITIZENS MOVEMENT.

BIO:

Evan Mawarire is a civil rights activist and pastor whose April 2016 Facebook protest video against political repression and the worsening economic crisis in Zimbabwe went viral and inspired the #ThisFlag campaign, which resulted in a mass movement of Zimbabweans shutting down the capital in a series of protests against corruption and abuses by Robert Mugabe’s regime.

Mawarire was charged with inciting public violence and “attempting to overthrow the government.” The court later threw out the charges and released him. Mawarire is the Director for Education at the Renew Democracy Initiative and the host of the “Frontlines of Freedom” podcast, which highlights dissidents confronting authoritarianism globally.

NBA PLAYER, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND FOUNDER, THE ABRAHAMIC ATHLETIC ACADEMY

BIO:

Enes Kanter Freedom is a human rights activist, NBA star, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee who lost his NBA career for speaking out against human rights violations in China. Raised in Turkey, Freedom began to call out human rights violations by President Erdogan in his home country. Turkey then canceled his passport, put his name on Interpol list, imprisoned his father, and set a $500,000 bounty on his head.

During a 2017 visit to Indonesia, Freedom was nearly kidnapped by the government with intentions to send him back to Turkey. Later that year, he hardly escaped police officers in the Romanian airport that the Turkish government sent after him. In 9 years, Freedom received 12 arrest warrants and countless death threats.

After debuting his “Anti-CCP” shoes during the season opener, every Celtics game was banned in China and Turkey. In many interviews and with the art on his “Freedom Shoes”, he has spoken out for the rights of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers, Taiwanese and others facing Chinese oppression. 7 years after having his Turkish citizenship revoked, Freedom became an American citizen. While becoming a citizen, he changed his last name to Freedom.

ECONOMIC FREEDOM AND EDUCATION ADVOCATE AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BENDUKIDZE FREE MARKET CENTER (UKRAINE).

BIO:

Nataliya Melnyk is the Executive Director of Bendukidze Free Market Center (BFMC), an independent Ukrainian think tank established in Kyiv in 2015. With a background in political science and European studies, she has also conducted research on political identification in Ukrainian society at the Kuras Institute of Political and Ethnic Studies.

Nataliya has served as a Development Manager at various organizations, contributing to her extensive experience in the field. She holds a Master's Degree in European Studies and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

RWANDAN FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST

BIO:

Paul Rusesabagina is a Rwandan hotel manager and humanitarian known for hiding and protecting 1,268 refugees during the Rwandan Genocide. None of those refugees were hurt or killed during the attacks. He was the assistant manager of the Sabena-owned Hôtel des Mille Collines before he became the manager of the Hôtel des Diplomates, both in Rwanda's capital of Kigali. During the genocide he used his influence and connections as temporary manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines to shelter Tutsis from being slaughtered by the Interahamwe militia.

Rusesabagina's efforts were the basis of the Academy Award-nominated film Hotel Rwanda (2004). Rusesabagina also founded the Hotel Rwanda Foundation, with which he managed to ensure that hundreds of African children can go to school and their families have more resources to live.

RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY ADVOCATE AND CHAIR, HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION

BIO:

Yulia Navalnaya is a prominent Russian human rights advocate and the widow of Alexei Navalny, the late opposition leader and outspoken critic of the Russian government.

Her courage and determination have made her a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism, as she continues to speak out against corruption, censorship, and the repression of dissent in Russia.

She was recently elected Chair of the Human Rights Foundation, where she leads global efforts to promote human rights and democracy, continuing to fight for freedom in Russia and beyond. Yulia Navalnaya remains a symbol of resilience and a powerful advocate for those oppressed by authoritarian regimes.

FORMER MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE, COSTA RICA. PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, INCAE BUSINESS SCHOOL

BIO:

Alberto Trejos, with a distinguished academic background including a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, has left a significant mark both in academia and public service. His tenure as Minister of Foreign Trade in Costa Rica, where he spearheaded pivotal negotiations such as CAFTA, underscored his expertise in international trade and economic policy. 

Additionally, his contributions as President of CINDE, along with his involvement in shaping regulatory frameworks like CONASSIF, demonstrate his commitment to fostering economic growth and stability. Beyond his governmental roles, Trejos' influence extends globally through his leadership positions in organizations like the Brenthurst Foundation and the Democracy Lab, where he continues to advocate for sustainable development and democratic principles. As a trusted advisor to governments, international bodies, and corporations across diverse regions, his insights and guidance have played a crucial role in shaping policies and strategies aimed at promoting economic prosperity and social progress. 

Currently, he continues to leverage his expertise as Vice President at Cuestamoras Corporation and through his engagements with BAC-Credomatic Bank, alongside his consultancy roles at CEFSA and DRP, ensuring his ongoing impact on economic and social development initiatives worldwide.

DEAN, SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

BIO:

Dr. Keren Yarhi-Milo is the dean of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and the Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Relations. She is a globally recognized expert in international security and crisis decision-making. Joining Columbia University in 2019 after a decade at Princeton, she became SIPA's youngest dean in July 2022 and previously directed SIPA's Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies.

Her research focuses on how leaders make foreign-policy decisions, particularly regarding the use of force, and she has authored award-winning books on the psychology of leadership in international conflict. In 2023, she founded the Institute of Global Politics (IGP) at Columbia SIPA, chaired by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. The IGP aims to foster open dialogue and develop policy-relevant ideas addressing global challenges.

Dr. Yarhi-Milo is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA from Columbia University. 

JOSEPH A. STRASSER PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, MAXWELL SCHOOL OF CITIZENSHIP AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

BIO: 

Tina Nabatchi is the Joseph A. Strasser Professor of Public Administration and Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, where she also serves as Director of the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC). An elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, Dr. Nabatchi's research focuses on collaborative governance, citizen engagement, conflict resolution, and challenges in public administration. Dr. Nabatchi has won several university, national and international awards for her research and teaching. She holds a B.A. from American University, an MPA from the University of Vermont and a Ph.D. from Indiana University.

GENERAL SECRETARY, WORLD LIBERTY CONGRESS

BIO:

Leopoldo López is a Venezuelan opposition leader and prodemocracy activist. He founded the Venezuelan opposition party, Voluntad Popular, and served as mayor of the Chacao municipality in Caracas. In 2014, Leopoldo was arrested on trumped-up charges for leading peaceful, nationwide protests denouncing Nicolás Maduro’s regime. After a 19-month show trial, he was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison.

He spent the first four years in solitary confinement in a military prison. He was subsequently placed under house arrest as a result of international pressure and outrage within Venezuela. Amnesty International named him a prisoner of conscience in 2015. Leopoldo escaped house arrest and was hosted at the Spanish embassy in Caracas. After a daring escape from Venezuela in October 2020, Leopoldo was reunited with his family in Spain, where he now lives in exile.

Today, he continues to be a leading voice in calling for democracy not only in Venezuela, but also across the globe. Leopoldo is a co-founder of the World Liberty Congress, which he strongly believes will be instrumental in unifying prodemocracy and human rights activists to combat the global trend toward authoritarianism.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION (HRF)

BIO:

A human rights advocate and film producer, Thor Halvorssen founded the Human Rights Foundation in the spring of 2005. Halvorssen began advocating for human rights in 1989 in London by organizing opposition to South African apartheid while in school. He is CEO of HRF, founder of the Oslo Freedom Forum, and patron of the Prague-based children’s peace movement, the Centipede Children.

Halvorssen’s opinions and views have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, The Economist, TIME Magazine, New York Post, The Atlantic, and British GQ, as well as television outlets such as Al-Jazeera, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, BBC and HBO. Halvorssen has produced several films that focus on freedom and human rights. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with concurrent undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science and history.

PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE

BIO:

He leads IRI’s team of nearly 1000 global experts to link citizens and governments, motivate people to engage in the political process, and guide politicians and government officials to be responsive to citizens. IRI works in over 100 countries and is a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy.Previously, Dr. Twining served as Counselor to the President and Director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund, as a Member of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s Policy Planning Staff handling Asia during the George W. Bush administration, as the Foreign Policy Advisor to U.S. Senator John McCain, and as a staff member of the U.S. Trade Representative.

He has been an Associate of the U.S. National Intelligence Council, taught at Georgetown University, and served as a military instructor associated with the Naval Postgraduate School. Dr. Twining serves on the Bush Institute’s Advisory Council, the Wilson Center’s Asia Advisory Board, and the USAID Administrator’s Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid. He testifies regularly before the U.S. Congress on international affairs, has been a columnist for Foreign Policy and Nikkei, and has written for Foreign Affairs, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and other publications. He has served as an advisor to six presidential campaigns. He graduated with highest distinction from the University of Virginia and from 2004-7 was the Fulbright/Oxford Scholar at Oxford University.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST, AUTHOR, AND EXPERT IN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

BIO:

Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world.

Her celebrated TED talks have garnered more than 20 million views and her international bestseller Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence became a global phenomenon translated into 25 languages. Her newest book is the New York Times bestseller The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity (HarperCollins). Esther is also an executive producer and host of the popular podcast Where Should We Begin?

LATIN AMERICAN GRAMMYS PERSON OF THE YEAR 2024 AND FOUNDER, TRAS LA PERLA

BIO:

The celebrated Colombian singer, songwriter, and actor, has become a prominent figure in Latin music through his unique fusion of vallenato and contemporary pop. With a career spanning decades, Vives has garnered widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including Grammys and Latin Grammys, establishing himself as a cultural icon.

Known for infusing traditional Colombian rhythms into his music, he has left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. Carlos Vives' charismatic stage presence and dedication to preserving Colombian heritage make him a beloved and influential artist in the Latin American entertainment scene.

PRESIDENT AND CEO, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY (NED)

BIO:

Damon Wilson is the President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), an independent nonprofit supporting global freedom. Before joining NED, he played a key role in transforming the Atlantic Council into a leading global think tank as its executive vice president.

Wilson's extensive experience includes serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council, where he worked on NATO enlargement, countering Russian aggression, and partnering with Europe to support global democracy. He also served as Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad during a time of conflict, managing one of the largest U.S. embassies.

Earlier in his career, Wilson was involved in NATO's response to 9/11 and operations in Afghanistan and the Balkans while serving as Deputy Director in the Private Office of NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson. He has also worked on European security at the State Department and served in U.S. embassies in Beijing and Baghdad.

Wilson holds a master’s degree from Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs and graduated summa cum laude from Duke University. He has also studied in France, conducted research on democracy in Estonia, and worked in Rwanda and Croatia on humanitarian issues.

REYNOLDS FAMILY FELLOW FOR GLOBAL SECURITY

BIO:

Mary Beth Long is an attorney, political advisor, and former government official. She was the first woman to be confirmed by the Senate as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and spent more than a decade as a CIA officer. She has also served as a senior advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and chaired NATO’s High-Level Group responsible for nuclear policy. Long is the founder of M. B. Long & Associates.

PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER, DIGITAL CITIZEN FUND

BIO:

Roya Mahboob is Afghanistan’s first female tech CEO and entrepreneur, making a significant impact beyond the business world. She leverages her tech success to foster education and empowerment for Afghan women and girls and champions their rights. Mahboob founded the Digital Citizen Fund (DCF) to improve Afghan women’s technological and financial literacy. She is also the co-founder of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team and supports their endeavors while promoting robotics education through the Inoura platform. She is launching Zalla, an online platform to elevate the voices of Afghan women and journalists.

Roya Mahboob’s commitment to STEAM education and economic opportunities for women, with a strong emphasis on human rights, has earned her global recognition. She was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2013, received the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award in 2014, and received other prestigious accolades, such as the Advancement of Gender Equality through Education Award. She was a Young Leader at the World Economic Forum in 2015, an Asia Game Changer in 2019, and received the Doha Forum Award in 2022. Her contributions have been honored with the Lantos Human Rights Awards, the Presidential Leadership Scholarship, and an honorary Doctorate of Science from McMaster University.