FIU’s Adam Smith Center names five distinguished global leaders to serve as Senior Leadership Fellows for fall

October 14, 2024 at 4:16pm

FIU’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom will host five distinguished Senior Leadership Fellows this fall: the former president of Mexico, the former defense secretary general of Nicaragua, the former president of the Central Bank of Argentina, the former U.S. permanent representative to the Organization of American States, and a current member of congress of Mexico who previously served as the country’s first lady.

“I am delighted to welcome this group of five distinguished fellows for another enriching semester,” said Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, founding director of the center. “As members of our seventh cohort, these amazing public servants bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will greatly enhance our university community. I am confident that their insights will inspire our students to pursue impactful careers and encourage them to become leaders who will make meaningful contributions to their communities.”

Fellows will lead multi-week study group sessions, offering students the opportunity for one-on-one interactions in a small, engaging classroom setting. These free, non-credit seminars allow students to participate in exclusive discussions with prominent global leaders while developing valuable leadership skills and gaining unique insights.

The inaugural event with the Senior Leadership Fellows took place on Monday and featured a conversation between Díaz-Rosillo and the fellows. The study groups with the fellows begin this week and are for FIU students only.

The Fall 2024 Senior Leadership Fellows include:

Vicente Fox, former president of Mexico. His presidency marked a significant shift in Mexico’s political landscape as he introduced reforms that strengthened the country’s democratic institutions and economy. During his tenure, Fox successfully controlled inflation and interest rates and achieved the lowest unemployment rate in Latin America. Before becoming president, Fox served as governor, and, before entering politics, he worked for Coca-Cola, where he quickly rose to become president of the company’s operations in Mexico and Latin America, helping Coca-Cola outpace its main competitor, Pepsi. Since leaving office, Fox has remained an influential public figure, speaking internationally on various topics.

“I am thrilled to join FIU's Adam Smith Center as a Senior Leadership Fellow this semester,” Fox said. “From leading the operations of a global soda company to serving as president of a nation, I look forward to sharing my experiences and insights with the students. I hope to provide them with a deeper understanding of leadership, decision-making, and resilience, equipping them with the skills they need to excel in their chosen careers.”

Félix Maradiaga, former secretary general of the Ministry of Defense of Nicaragua. After an active career as a civic society leader, he ran for president of Nicaragua in 2021. He was subsequently arrested by the regime, becoming the third opposition candidate to be detained (there would eventually be five candidates arrested). As a Latin American leader, he is known for his work on nonviolent resistance and democracy building. He is one of the most influential voices within the Nicaraguan democratic opposition and a prominent human rights activist. As president of the Foundation for the Freedom of Nicaragua, Maradiaga has been instrumental in raising awareness about political detainees through the campaign EndArbitraryDetention.org. Despite facing persecution, including 21 months of imprisonment under inhumane conditions for opposing the Ortega regime in Nicaragua, Maradiaga continues to fight for democracy and human rights. Expelled to the United States in 2023, along with 221 other political prisoners, he remains dedicated to his cause. He was recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Through ‘Democracy Unplugged,’ I will guide students in a dynamic exploration of global collaboration networks rooted in civil society, empowering them with practical tools to resist authoritarianism,” Maradiaga said. “Together, we will dive into inspiring case studies and foster synergy between social movements, political parties, and NGOs, with a special focus on student and youth-led initiatives defending freedom worldwide.”

Martín Redrado, former president of the Central Bank of Argentina. Previously, he served as Senior Economic Advisor at the World Bank and worked with the WTO’s Dispute Settlements Unit. He has also held leadership roles at the Bank for International Settlements and CEMLA. Earlier, he was Argentina’s Deputy Foreign Minister and headed the Securities and Exchange Commission. He currently leads Fundación Capital, an influential economic research and policy think tank in Argentina.

“I am looking forward, as a Senior Fellow at the Adam Smith Center, to discuss the megatrends in the world economy and its impact on our hemisphere with the students and faculty,” Redrado said. “The approach will be to evaluate policymaking during turbulent times, with the goal of providing effective tools to tackle the complex challenges facing the future.”

Carlos Trujillo, former U.S. permanent representative to the Organization of American States. In this role, he led the mission of the OAS, the world’s oldest regional organization, and chaired key committees, including the Permanent Council and Budget Committee. Trujillo was also appointed as a U.S. representative to the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations and later nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere at the U.S. Department of State. Before his diplomatic career, he was a state representative in Florida’s 105th District and a founding partner of Trujillo, Vargas, Gonzalez, and Hevia LLP. In addition to his legal and political work, Trujillo is the president of Continental Strategy and Demand Democracy Now and manages real estate holdings in Coral Gables, Florida.

“I am truly honored and excited to join Florida International University as a Senior Leadership Fellow this fall,” Trujillo said. “This fellowship presents an incredible opportunity to engage with the next generation of leaders and share insights from my experiences in public service, private practice, and international diplomacy. I look forward to connecting with students, faculty, and the broader community at FIU, and I’m excited to contribute to the dynamic learning environment the university is known for.”

Margarita Zavala, member of Congress of Mexico and former first lady. She currently represents Mexico City’s 10th District in the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico, a position she has held since 2021 and to which she was reelected in 2024. A former independent presidential candidate in 2018, Zavala also founded the political organization México Libre in 2019. Her political career began in 2003 when she was elected as a Federal Representative for the Partido de Acción Nacional (PAN). She then served as Mexico’s first lady from 2006 to 2012. A distinguished lawyer, she has worked in major law firms and has taught law at top universities in Mexico.

“I am honored to join the Senior Leadership Fellows program at the Adam Smith Center,” Zavala said. “In my study group session, we will explore how to understand our communities through the history of legislation. We will engage in open conversations, guided by relevant historical facts, especially from Mexico and the United States, to recognize how legislative activity can serve as a bridge between our peoples.”