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This fall, FIU’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom will host five distinguished Senior Leadership Fellows: a former president of Mexico, the Dominican Republic’s minister of industry and commerce, a former secretary general of the Organization of American States, the vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and a former deputy minister of defense of the Czech Republic.
“A defining feature of the Adam Smith Center is the caliber of world-class leaders who join us each year to share their experiences with our students,” said Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, founding director of the center. “Their lessons inspire bold thinking and equip our students with the confidence they need to lead in business, government, and beyond.”
Students will have a unique opportunity to participate in multi-week study group sessions with the fellows, fostering meaningful, one-on-one connections with these distinguished global leaders. These free, non-credit learning study groups offer an exclusive forum for discussion, where fellows lead engaging conversations on topics such as leadership in the public and private sectors, economic development, global affairs, and the practical challenges of policymaking and decision-making in complex environments.
The inaugural event with the Senior Leadership Fellows will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the MARC Pavilion at FIU’s MMC Campus (10975 SW 17th St, Miami, FL). The event will feature a conversation between Díaz-Rosillo and the fellows and is free and open to the public. To register for the event, please visit freedom.fiu.edu/events.
The Fall 2025 Senior Leadership Fellows include:
Luis Almagro is a Uruguayan lawyer, diplomat, and former secretary general of the Organization of American States (2015–2025). During his decade-long leadership at the OAS, he focused on strengthening democracy, human rights, and regional cooperation throughout the Americas. He previously served as Uruguay’s minister of foreign relations (2010–2015), ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (2005–2010), and senator (2015). Since June 2025, he has served as director of the Observatory for Democracy at the CASLA Institute, continuing his commitment to advancing democratic governance in Latin America.
“I deeply appreciate the invitation to add my contributions as a Senior Leadership Fellow at FIU’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom, a program recognized for its excellence in promoting good governance, good management, democratic values, and the development of political institutions to strengthen democracy in the countries of the Americas,” Almagro said. “I feel extremely honored and challenged at the same time.”
Sara Armstrong is an accomplished American leader with nearly three decades of experience at the highest levels of national politics, executive leadership, grassroots advocacy, and strategic planning across the White House, political campaigns, and the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She currently serves as vice president and managing director of the Federation Relations and Coalition Partnerships division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she leads relationships with state and local chambers and national trade associations across the country. Previously, Armstrong served at the RNC and in the George W. Bush administration (2002–2009), where she was special assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush, and director of the White House Visitors Office.
“I am honored to serve as a Senior Leadership Fellow at Florida International University’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom,” Armstrong said. “I look forward to supporting the center’s mission to inspire our future generation of leaders with sessions that will explore the intersection of government, politics and business, and how free enterprise has improved economic growth and prosperity around the world.”
Víctor “Ito” Bisonó is the Dominican Republic’s minister of industry, commerce, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MICM), a position he has held since 2020. As a seasoned politician and public servant with over 30 years of experience, he has spearheaded efforts to modernize the country’s industrial and commercial policies, enhancing competitiveness, fostering innovation, and attracting investment. A four-term deputy for the national district (2002–2020), he has long championed the country’s economic and social development. He is also the founder of the Center for Public Policy Analysis (CAPP) and the author of five books, including his most recent, “Desde Adentro: Hacia el país que queremos,” offering reflections on national transformation and policy innovation.
“It is an honor to share the lessons learned along the journey of transforming the public sector in times marked by uncertainty. Leading with resolve is not just about making firm decisions, but about building trust, delivering results, and expanding the boundaries of what is possible through public service,” Bisonó said. “I look forward to this space of exchange on how ethical and courageous leadership can drive meaningful change in Latin America and around the world.”
Felipe Calderón served as president of Mexico from 2006 to 2012, leading efforts to promote economic growth, strengthen the rule of law, and increase investment in infrastructure, education, and competitiveness. During his administration, he championed free trade, deregulation, and private investment, even in the face of the 2009 global financial crisis. He chaired both the G20 Leaders’ Summit and the UN COP 16 Climate Change Conference, and currently serves as honorary chairman of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate. Calderón is also the founder and president of the Human Sustainable Development Foundation and has held leadership roles with the World Resources Institute and the FIA (International Automobile Federation) Environment and Sustainability Commission. His international recognition includes being named “Statesman of the Year” by the World Economic Forum and “Champion of the Earth” by the United Nations.
"I am very happy to share with the students my experiences and knowledge acquired through a life dedicated to public service, not only as president of Mexico, but for years before, as a fighter for democracy and opposition leader during the democratic period," Calderón said. "As president, I needed to face enormous challenges: the economic crisis of 2009, the AH1N1 flu pandemic, and the violence unleashed by drug trafficking. I made the decision to face organized crime and narcotraffic with the full weight of the law, and that was the right decision. In the end, we were able to contribute to making Mexico a highly competitive nation in economic terms and a full democracy. We will talk about all those issues this autumn at FIU."
Jan Havránek is a Czech diplomat, foreign policy expert, and former deputy minister of defense, with over two decades of experience at the nexus of transatlantic security, strategic leadership, and defense transformation. He currently serves as the deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C., where he has led international cooperation, defense planning, and crisis response during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kabul evacuation, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He has held senior roles at NATO as well as research and policy roles with leading think tanks.
“This seminar is about more than foreign policy – it’s about leadership in context,” Havránek said. “I’ve watched world leaders make tough choices, negotiate with rivals, and build unlikely alliances. Foreign policy doesn’t happen in a vacuum; real people with histories and constraints are behind every decision. This program asks students to examine not just what happened, but why – and what leadership it required.”
“A defining feature of the Adam Smith Center is the caliber of world-class leaders who join us each year to share their experiences with our students,” said Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, founding director of the center. “Their lessons inspire bold thinking and equip our students with the confidence they need to lead in business, government, and beyond.”
Students will have a unique opportunity to participate in multi-week study group sessions with the fellows, fostering meaningful, one-on-one connections with these distinguished global leaders. These free, non-credit learning study groups offer an exclusive forum for discussion, where fellows lead engaging conversations on topics such as leadership in the public and private sectors, economic development, global affairs, and the practical challenges of policymaking and decision-making in complex environments.
The inaugural event with the Senior Leadership Fellows will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the MARC Pavilion at FIU’s MMC Campus (10975 SW 17th St, Miami, FL). The event will feature a conversation between Díaz-Rosillo and the fellows and is free and open to the public. To register for the event, please visit freedom.fiu.edu/events.
The Fall 2025 Senior Leadership Fellows include:
Luis Almagro is a Uruguayan lawyer, diplomat, and former secretary general of the Organization of American States (2015–2025). During his decade-long leadership at the OAS, he focused on strengthening democracy, human rights, and regional cooperation throughout the Americas. He previously served as Uruguay’s minister of foreign relations (2010–2015), ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (2005–2010), and senator (2015). Since June 2025, he has served as director of the Observatory for Democracy at the CASLA Institute, continuing his commitment to advancing democratic governance in Latin America.
“I deeply appreciate the invitation to add my contributions as a Senior Leadership Fellow at FIU’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom, a program recognized for its excellence in promoting good governance, good management, democratic values, and the development of political institutions to strengthen democracy in the countries of the Americas,” Almagro said. “I feel extremely honored and challenged at the same time.”
Sara Armstrong is an accomplished American leader with nearly three decades of experience at the highest levels of national politics, executive leadership, grassroots advocacy, and strategic planning across the White House, political campaigns, and the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She currently serves as vice president and managing director of the Federation Relations and Coalition Partnerships division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she leads relationships with state and local chambers and national trade associations across the country. Previously, Armstrong served at the RNC and in the George W. Bush administration (2002–2009), where she was special assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush, and director of the White House Visitors Office.
“I am honored to serve as a Senior Leadership Fellow at Florida International University’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom,” Armstrong said. “I look forward to supporting the center’s mission to inspire our future generation of leaders with sessions that will explore the intersection of government, politics and business, and how free enterprise has improved economic growth and prosperity around the world.”
Víctor “Ito” Bisonó is the Dominican Republic’s minister of industry, commerce, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MICM), a position he has held since 2020. As a seasoned politician and public servant with over 30 years of experience, he has spearheaded efforts to modernize the country’s industrial and commercial policies, enhancing competitiveness, fostering innovation, and attracting investment. A four-term deputy for the national district (2002–2020), he has long championed the country’s economic and social development. He is also the founder of the Center for Public Policy Analysis (CAPP) and the author of five books, including his most recent, “Desde Adentro: Hacia el país que queremos,” offering reflections on national transformation and policy innovation.
“It is an honor to share the lessons learned along the journey of transforming the public sector in times marked by uncertainty. Leading with resolve is not just about making firm decisions, but about building trust, delivering results, and expanding the boundaries of what is possible through public service,” Bisonó said. “I look forward to this space of exchange on how ethical and courageous leadership can drive meaningful change in Latin America and around the world.”
Felipe Calderón served as president of Mexico from 2006 to 2012, leading efforts to promote economic growth, strengthen the rule of law, and increase investment in infrastructure, education, and competitiveness. During his administration, he championed free trade, deregulation, and private investment, even in the face of the 2009 global financial crisis. He chaired both the G20 Leaders’ Summit and the UN COP 16 Climate Change Conference, and currently serves as honorary chairman of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate. Calderón is also the founder and president of the Human Sustainable Development Foundation and has held leadership roles with the World Resources Institute and the FIA (International Automobile Federation) Environment and Sustainability Commission. His international recognition includes being named “Statesman of the Year” by the World Economic Forum and “Champion of the Earth” by the United Nations.
"I am very happy to share with the students my experiences and knowledge acquired through a life dedicated to public service, not only as president of Mexico, but for years before, as a fighter for democracy and opposition leader during the democratic period," Calderón said. "As president, I needed to face enormous challenges: the economic crisis of 2009, the AH1N1 flu pandemic, and the violence unleashed by drug trafficking. I made the decision to face organized crime and narcotraffic with the full weight of the law, and that was the right decision. In the end, we were able to contribute to making Mexico a highly competitive nation in economic terms and a full democracy. We will talk about all those issues this autumn at FIU."
Jan Havránek is a Czech diplomat, foreign policy expert, and former deputy minister of defense, with over two decades of experience at the nexus of transatlantic security, strategic leadership, and defense transformation. He currently serves as the deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C., where he has led international cooperation, defense planning, and crisis response during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kabul evacuation, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He has held senior roles at NATO as well as research and policy roles with leading think tanks.
“This seminar is about more than foreign policy – it’s about leadership in context,” Havránek said. “I’ve watched world leaders make tough choices, negotiate with rivals, and build unlikely alliances. Foreign policy doesn’t happen in a vacuum; real people with histories and constraints are behind every decision. This program asks students to examine not just what happened, but why – and what leadership it required.”