Speakers
Carlos Buqueras
With three decades of distinguished Florida port leadership, Carlos Buqueras is renowned for his achievements in all facets of seaport business development and operations, including containerized, bulk and breakbulk cargos, as well as cruise and ferry industry prominence.
Since assuming leadership of SeaPort Manatee in 2012, Mr. Buqueras has guided the diverse Gulf Coast port to unprecedented accomplishments, marked by record-breaking tonnage throughput and containerized and bulk cargo activity.
Prior to coming aboard at SeaPort Manatee, Mr. Buqueras held the position of director of business development at Port Everglades in South Florida’s Broward County for 22 years.
Mr. Buqueras is currently serving as the Chairman of the Florida Ports Council, which functions as the professional association for Florida’s fifteen public seaports.
Mr. Buqueras is fluent in five languages – English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Catalán– and holds a master’s in business administration degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University of Madison, N.J.
Eric M. Myers
Esq, JD, MIBA, joined CULTIVA as a Partner in 2015, bringing over two decades of experience in law and international business. Mr. Myers has applied his legal expertise and strategic thinking to enhance the company’s initiatives in economic development, international commerce, and trade policy. His work involves navigating complex legal and regulatory environments, which is crucial for managing international trade and ensuring compliance across different jurisdictions.
Previously, Mr. Myers has worked with major financial institutions such as Bank of America and Goldman Sachs, where he provided strategic business advice in high-stakes situations, contributing to significant advancements in business practices within these institutions. At CULTIVA, he continues to leverage his skills to support corporate strategy and policy formulation, particularly in areas that impact international trade and economic growth.
In addition to his role at CULTIVA, Mr. Myers is an accomplished professor of International Business, International Law, and Business Law both in the US as well as in Colombia. His academic work complements his professional endeavors; he focuses on bridging theory with practical application, thereby enhancing the educational programs he is involved with. His commitment to education enriches his students’ learning experiences and prepares them to effectively address future challenges in international business and trade policy.
Laura Guzmán Garcia
is a lawyer from the University of Envigado, with expertise in business and trademark law. She is a conference speaker in the field of intellectual property; Manager and CEO of Kronos Legal Tech, a company dedicated to the defense and legal assistance to companies and startups; she is a member of the management board of Guayabal, the advisory board of the Foundation “Herencia de Timbiquí” and Foundation “Palma Chonta”.
She was born in the city of Tuluá – Valle del Cauca, grew up in the city of Guadalajara de Buga and settled in Medellin, approximately ten years ago, to explore a little more the Antioquian culture and its entrepreneurial mentality, and to carry out her professional studies in this last location.
This allowed her to expand her business mentality and understand the need for a good networking environment.
Laura has developed social and business projects that have allowed her to have a much more humane vision for social growth and thus being able to support people, companies and artists in their process of professional and personal fulfilment.
Cesar Gomez
holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia and boasts a robust background in legal practice, primarily focusing on advising corporations, non profit entities, and individuals on business-related matters in Colombia. Subsequently, he transitioned his career to the United States. During his tenure as the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce from 2007 to 2010, Mr. Gomez demonstrated exemplary leadership skills, resulting in a significant expansion of the chamber’s membership, thereby enhancing its visibility and influence across local, state, and federal levels. His outstanding contributions were acknowledged through various accolades, solidifying his standing within the regional business community.
In 2012, while concurrently working with Jaensch Immigration Law Firm, Mr. Gomez assumed leadership roles within professional organizations, notably serving as the Vice-Chair of the ABA Section of International Law: Young Lawyers Interest Network and contributing to the board of the Community Leadership Council of the University of South Florida. In 2016, Cesar embarked on an independent path, establishing Gomez and Associates LLC, where he has since provided invaluable legal counsel to numerous investors seeking to establish their enterprises in the United States. He remains actively involved in the international community, leveraging his expertise to deliver informative conferences across Latin America, facilitating the establishment of companies and investments in the USA.
Ramón Peralta Reyes
was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on August 15, 1964. He is a writer, educator, political consultant, and director of the digital newspaper PlanetaRD, based in Santo Domingo Este.
A graduate of the University of the Caribbean with a degree in education, he holds a Master’s in Social Economy from the School of Formative Business in Spain, a Master’s in International Economics and Business from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), as well as a Master’s in Political Journalism from TECH University. Additionally, he holds a Master’s in Political Science and Electoral Administration, and has completed diplomas in International Cooperation, Electoral Campaigns, and an International Certification in Political Consulting.
With 20 years of work experience in the Dominican government, he has served roles such as customs inspector, market division manager in Santo Domingo Este, supervisor of educational centers for the Presidency of the Republic, and head of International Relations for the City Council of Santo Domingo Este. In the private sector, he has worked as a political consultant, writer, and has directed political campaigns for congressmen and mayors.
His political vision focuses on advocating for peace and fostering connections between cities, linking Dominican cities with those abroad that host the Dominican diaspora. This aims to ensure that Dominicans abroad maintain their roots and contribute to the development of their parents’ homeland
Melvin Brown
is a panamanian of Caribbean ancestry born in Panama City. Melvin Brown Consultas is his Law Firm in the heart of the community of Parque Lefevre.
Melvin is a entrepreneur, poet, commumity improvement activist, with a pasion for Sustainable Development, plans, programs and projects.
This year he was selected to receive the Arikana Excellence Award as a recognition for his work.
Recently The State of the African Diaspora voted Melvin to serve as President of Parliament until 2029.
Dr. Hung-bin Ding
is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management and Associate Dean of the Sellinger School of Business and Management of Loyola University Maryland. He received his Ph.D. in Management from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Ding’s research interests are in the areas of family business, family office, entrepreneurship, and corporate sustainability. His recent research projects focus on the Family Offices and sustainability practices in the family businesses. Dr. Ding has taught strategic management, corporate strategy, international business, and entrepreneurship courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels in the U.S., China, and Taiwan.
In addition to the business management profession, Dr. Ding is also very active in the Taiwanese American Community and the Asian American Community. He is a co-founder of Taiwan Sister Cities, a non-profit organization aiming to develop and support sister city relationships between cities in the United States and Taiwan. He served as a Commissioner of Overseas Community Affairs Commission (OCAC) of Taiwan from September 2018 to December 2021. As an OCAC commissioner, he is responsible to advance the interests of Taiwanese Americans in the United States and to facilitate the exchanges and understandings of Taiwan and the United States. Dr. Ding is also the vice chair of the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (APAA). APAA is one of the eight ethnic commissions under the Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives.
Iván Mutis Katunaric
President and CEO of Gooljar, Mutis & Lombana Strategic Consultancy for New Markets, specializing in opening and developing international markets, particularly in the U.S. and Latin America.
He holds an engineering degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Chile and an MBA from ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. Born in Chile in 1956, he has lived in Barcelona since 1982 and permanently settled in Florida, USA, in 2017.
Mr. Mutis has over 20 years of experience in development consulting and new business implementation across Europe, North America, and South America. He has worked with major transnational companies such as Master Builders Technologies, Euco, and Ciments Molins.
He advises Spanish and European businesses on investing in American and Latin-American markets and promotes the internationalization of U.S. companies, especially in South Florida. He is a member of the executive committee of FITCE in Broward County and coordinated the International Trade HUB at Port Manatee until 2020.
Currently, through GM&L, Mr. Mutis focuses on helping foreign companies enter the U.S. market, identifying distribution channels, and implementing e-commerce strategies. He played a key role in establishing the sister city relationship between Fort Lauderdale, U.S., and Mataró, Spain.
Since 2020, he has been on the Board of Directors of Sister Cities International of Florida, overseeing the Business Development Area.
PAULA ANDREA HENAO CARMONA
is a business consultant with emphasis on Project Management and Strengthening of companies from their Growth Strategy. She designs and implements strategies aimed at business productivity and competitivity through the efficiency of the processes and people. Experienced in boosting and strengthening the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem from the territories. Passionate about entrepreneurship and making dreams come true through sustainable business over time.
Certified Master Consultant – Certified in Disciplined Entrepreneurship Training (Bill Aulet Methodology – MIT), Scrum, PMP and Development of Entrepreneurship Bootcamps and Business Models. She has been a consultant and project coordinator for the formulation, management, control and monitoring of National Entrepreneurship Projects, business strengthening and digital transformation of companies throughout Colombia.
Although she lives in an intermediate city called Manizales, she has lived in different cities in Colombia and has taken advantage of remote working to expand her activities to Argentina, Chile and the United States.
Of her 24 years of work experience, 14 of them have been focused on Project Formulation and Management, entrepreneurship and business growth, she has developed international strategic alliances to leverage city processes.
ANGELA MARIA LOPEZ
Angela Lopez is currently a Management Executive at Plaza Mayor Medellin, Colombia. She is a Production Engineer and a Master in Engineering from EAFIT University in Medellin, Colombia; born in Medellin, Colombia in 1988.
Angela has excelled in optimizing production and administrative processes, implementing innovative management strategies with a focus on continuous improvement, leadership, empathy, process management, detailed analysis and strategic planning, and is skilled in suppliers management, quality control, data analysis, sustainability and research.
Throughout her career, she has held relevant positions in various institutions and companies:
Administrative Executive at Plaza Mayor Medellin.
Coordinator of Interventoría Buen Comienzo Liaison at Institución Universitaria Colegio Mayor de Antioquia.
Financial and Administrative Controller at Institución Universitaria Pasqual Bravo.
General Manager and Owner in Architecture and Construction.
Angela has participated in various courses and seminars, such as Data Analytics for Business Decision Making, Sustainability Master Conference, Service Management and Customer Experience, Ceremonial Protocol, Foundations of a Quality Management System ISO 9001:2008, Occupational Health and Safety Management System SG-SST, among others.
TOM WENTZEL
LUIS ANTONIO MARTINEZ
His purpose is to leverage people and organizations to grow.
Engineer in electronics and telecommunications, specialized in strategic management and forecasting; worked in the ISA Group for 16 years, 4 of which in Central America as country manager and leader of the Board of Directors of a project for 6 countries in the region, Mexico and Spain, with a budget of USD 19 million.
He has 23 years of experience in digital transformation and 14 years in strategy and business development in Latin America.
Consultant, facilitator and speaker on strategy, transformation and digital culture, innovation, trends and entrepreneurship; he is also a trainer of consultants and a part of the team of advisors and facilitators of several institutions in Colombia and abroad.
He is passionate about learning, sharing and generating disruptive knowledge, and he does it through his brand producTICvidad® whose essence is to raise digital awareness.
SUSANA BEJARANO RUIZ
She is a political scientist with an emphasis in Public Law from EAFIT University and a master’s degree in Applied Economics from the same institution.
She currently works as Strategic Coordinator at FENALCO Antioquia, where she leads regionalisation strategies, generational conversation and representativeness, strengthening institutional presence and generating connections between the private sector and different actors such as the public sector, academia, youth and international organisations.
She is co-founder of the podcast ‘350 Miligramos’ and columnist for Al Poniente and El Colombiano, where she writes about politics and current affairs. She has worked as a consultant for Innovations for Poverty Action and for the Departmental Assembly of Antioquia. She also completed an internship at the ProColombia Trade Office in Buenos Aires and was an administrative and research monitor for the EAFIT University, general and human resources director of the Political Science Student Committee and co-director of CYMEC (Semilleros de Mejoramiento de Procesos) at the same university.
MARIA FERNANDA VARGAS
Maria Fernanda Vargas is a highly experienced Financial Advisor with a remarkable 15-year tenure working alongside the financial planning team of a Fortune 500 company. Specializing in business and personal financial planning, Maria Fernanda is renowned for designing highly effective strategies and offering excellent money management advice, benefiting clients from all walks of life. Her unwavering dedication to helping people achieve their financial goals stems from her unparalleled knowledge of financial planning.
WILLIAM KLINGER BRAHAN
FEDERICO RESTREPO
Founder of Impact Hub Medellin, Cali and Bogotá. He stands out as a visionary entrepreneur and innovator, accumulating more than a decade and a half of experience focused on sustainability and development for employment and entrepreneurship. Founder of Impact Hub Medellin, Cali and Bogota, business development and impact-focused entrepreneurship organizations, where he has guided over 1,400 organizations through incubation and acceleration programs. He is also founder of “Energía Vectorial” Vectorial Energy, a startup dedicated to decarbonizing mobility by converting gasoline vehicles to electric. Federico has extensive international experience leading organizations and collaborating in projects with institutions such as the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank and the African Development Bank. He is also the driving force behind Youth for Global Goals, an initiative that mobilizes youth around the world to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, generating significant impact with more than 10,000 projects in 120 countries. Internationally recognized, he has been selected by the US State Department to participate in the Young Leaders of Americas International program, and has been distinguished by the United Nations Foundation as a +SocialGood Connector. In addition, C40 has him as a high-impact entrepreneur in the fight for carbon-free streets. He has a strong educational background that includes studies in law, marketing management, and a master’s degree in marketing, sales and sustainable development. Federico Restrepo Sierra is an undisputed reference point in accompanying organizations on issues of planning, indicators and impact.
NICOLÁS OCAMPO
Sociologist by profession with a specialization in project management and a master’s degree in social intervention in knowledge societies. More than 19 years of experience in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of social intervention projects, many of them with international cooperation agencies, others with local NGOs and others with the public sector. Trainer in different projects and institutions on topics such as project formulation, international cooperation, organizational development, strategic planning, among others. Experience with different entrepreneurship matters in accompanying micro projects with people with disabilities and other populations. He also worked at the Participatory Budget programs for productive units of the Medellin Mayor’s Office. Since 2022, he works as a professional of the CEmprende strategy of INNpulsa for Medellin and the department of Antioquia.
MARCELO LARRONDO
Is a corporate leader, currently holding the position of CEO of CRC Chile and CRC USA, with extensive experience in international markets, in productive and service sectors, both public and private. Developing in more than 25 years strong experience and skills in administration, management, marketing, production, human resources, negotiation, operation, physical resources, communication, finance, accounting, sales, marketing, information technology and project development, achieved across a broad spectrum of businesses.
He has extensive experience in administration, business development and team building achieved in public/private environments specializing in the opening and development of international markets, particularly in the United States and Latin America.
He has a degree in industrial civil engineering and diplomas from the University of Chile and an MBA from the University of Miami. In addition to having dual Chilean North American nationality, residing in both countries.
The company that he currently manages is an international company, which brings together a multidisciplinary human team, with vast experience in national and international markets, development in internationalization processes in external markets, penetration into new market niches, as well as a strong experience in repositioning productive businesses, with the ability to quickly adapt to new markets and develop innovative and profitable business solutions.
CLINT M. CONLIFFE
is a mission-driven Economic Development Analyst / Miramar Sister Cities Liaison with the City of Miramar, Florida. He has over two decades of experience assisting residents and businesses via outreach, programs, and special projects to facilitate business and community development. As a South Florida Economic Development professional, he combines research and resource utilization to create collaboration through networking and relationship-building to foster economic growth. Clint is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) with Toastmasters International.
PAUL NJOROGE
serves as the Analytics Manager and Protocol Officer for the City of Miramar, Florida, bringing extensive expertise in international economic development to his role. He collaborates closely with Miramar-based companies, assisting them in identifying, exploring, and securing business and commercial opportunities across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. With a particular emphasis on the Aviation, Technology, and Finance sectors, Paul plays a pivotal role in fostering global connections and facilitating growth opportunities for businesses within the Miramar community.
DAVID ARAUJO ESTRADA
was born in El Triunfo, Choluteca, Honduras, on September 20, He holds a degree in Political Science. He has extensive experience in the privatesector with COHEP as an RSE Project Coordinator, where he designed an Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. He served as Executive Director of PRIDE Honduras for 12 years and as General Director in two State Secretariats. As an international consultant, he specialized in strategic plans, project evaluation, and social process systematization.
Currently, Araujo is with ARAS Global Business Consultants in Florida. One of his notable achievements is organizing 11 International Missions for Fund Management and Business Opportunities in the U.S. since 1998, involving over 150 municipal officials, NGOs, foundations, entrepreneurs, and business people from Honduras. These missions have resulted in securing funds for projects and improving coffee prices for small producers in the U.S. Araujo has received two international awards: the Spirit of Liberty from PRIDE International (1993) and recognition for Best RSE Practice in Latin America by the ILO (2006). His work in drug and violence prevention with children and youth earned him an invitation to the IVLP by the U.S. Department of State in 1995. He is a member of ANADISH and Idealist.
DIANA DEL CARMEN LOBO MUÑOZ
Diana was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on November 6, 1975. She holds degrees in Education, Administrative Law, and a Master’s in International Business. Her professional experience includes teaching at primary and secondary levels, serving as Legal Director at the Francisco Morazán Departmental Education Directorate, and as Legal Assistant in the Government Legal Team from 2010-2014.
She has been a Consultant on Child Policies for UNICEF and several municipalities in Honduras. Currently, she is the Administrative Manager at ARAS&ADS Consultants and the Honduras Representative for Miami Technology & Arts University (MTA).