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Register for ELAS 2025 Today

Join the region’s top emerging leaders and changemakers.

General Audience

19.99 USD
EARLY BIRD until October 31st
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SPECIAL PRICE FOR JCI MEMBERs

19.99 USD
until the event
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What is ELAS?

The Emerging Leaders of the Americas Summit (ELAS) is a regional gathering that brings together young changemakers, professionals, and community leaders from across the Americas — from Canada to Argentina.

Created by JCI America, ELAS is more than an event — it’s an immersive experience to connect, grow, and lead with purpose. Over several days of training, dialogue, and collaboration, participants explore personal leadership, collective action, and innovative strategies to create real impact in their communities.
Regional Leadership Experience
Personal & Professional Growth
Networking with Emerging Leaders
Practical Tools for Real Impact

SPEAKERS

Adriana Robles
Founder & Executive Director of HRIC Executive Search and HerStory Podcast.
HRIC Executive Search
Alejandra Castillo
JCI President Candidate 2026
JCI (Junior Chamber International)
Elena Martín Rojo
Idealist Regional Director for Ibero-America
Idealist
Gabriel Marmentini
Co-founder and Executive Director Politize!
Politize!
Luigi Valdés
General Director of FUNDAIMPULSO
FUNDAIMPULSO
Natalia Bayona
Executive Director
UN Tourism
Rafael Achondo
Co-founder and CEO of Matteria
Matteria
Roberto Rabouin
Expert in Leadership and Managerial Skills – International Faculty, ADEN Business School
ADEN Business School
Shenella Govia
2025 JCI Executive Vice President for America
JCI (Junior Chamber International)
Virginia García Aragón
Country Manager for Mexico at DoGood People
DoGood People

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We, the emerging leaders of America, are coming together.

From Argentina to Canada, we’re building a new kind of leadership — collaborative, purpose-driven, and ready to act.
Discover what ELAS is all about

YOUR EVENT ORGANIZER

Junior Chamber International
(Business is registered, Business registration No. Junior Chamber International)
15645 Olive Blvd , Chesterfield, Armed Forces America 63017 US
ELAS | Emerging Leaders of the Americas Summit

Adriana Robles

Founder & Executive Director of HRIC Executive Search and HerStory Podcast.
HRIC Executive Search

Adriana Robles is the founder and Executive Director of HRIC Executive Search, a boutique firm created in Canada and based in Guadalajara, connecting talent with purpose on a global scale. With over two decades of experience, she has led executive search processes for development banks, foundations, and corporations across Latin America, the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Rooted in Latin America with a global vision, her work is driven by a human-centered approach to leadership. She is the creator of the HerStory by HRIC Podcast, a platform that amplifies the voices of women leaders around the world. Named a Top Women Leader 2024, Adriana champions equality and talent as powerful drivers of transformation.

Inspirational quote: 

“Recruitment is more than connecting someone to a job; the right person changes everything. They don’t just transform their own life — they elevate the organization and the communities it serves.”

Alejandra Castillo

JCI President Candidate 2026
JCI (Junior Chamber International)

Alejandra is a 38-year-old Bolivian leader, Chemical Engineer specialized in Cosmetic Chemistry, and founder of her own veterinary product laboratory. She was a pioneer in Bolivia in developing a natural pet care line, bringing innovation and sustainability to the sector.

She holds postgraduate studies in leadership and management skills, and works as a university professor and trainer focused on developing both technical and soft skills. As a certified facilitator, she has led leadership academies and training programs in over 15 countries, inspiring people from diverse cultures to become transformational leaders.

Alejandra’s JCI journey began in 2006, and since then she has held multiple leadership roles at the local, national, and international levels. She currently serves as JCI World Treasurer and is a candidate for JCI World President 2026.

Inspirational quote: 

“My passion for leadership was born when I was 13, while camping as a scout. I saw a forest I loved being devastated by erosion, deforestation, and fire. That moment made me realize we must act with purpose and responsibility to protect what we love and create change for future generations.”

Elena Martín Rojo

Idealist Regional Director for Ibero-America
Idealist

Elena has over ten years of experience in the social impact sector. She is a journalist, certified coach, and holds a Master’s degree in Social Innovation. Currently, she leads Idealist.org en Español, where she applies a vision of collaborative leadership to connect people with opportunities to create positive change in society and the planet.

Her work blends strategy, communication, and guidance to build from a place of personal responsibility and collective action.

Inspirational quote: 

“Ever since I was little, I remember my father saying: ‘If someone asks for a hand and you can help, don’t ask why — just do it.’ That’s when I learned that in this world, giving is just as important as receiving. And over time, I also realized — ironically and magically — that the more we give, the more we receive.”

Gabriel Marmentini

Co-founder and Executive Director Politize!
Politize!

Gabriel Marmentini is a social entrepreneur from Brazil, with a Bachelor’s in Public Management and a PhD in Management from Udesc Esag. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of ACBG Brasil and Politize! – Civic Education Institute.

Named in Forbes Under 30 and winner of the Folha de S. Paulo Social Entrepreneur Award (2022), Gabriel was also featured in the MIT Innovators Under 35 Brazil (2023) and became a TED Speaker in New York. He is a member of global networks such as the Lemann Foundation Leaders Network, MIT Solve, One Young World, YLAI, and Warriors Without Weapons.

Inspirational quote: 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”– Margaret Mead.

Luigi Valdés

General Director of FUNDAIMPULSO
FUNDAIMPULSO

Luigi Valdés is one of Latin America’s most renowned authorities on strategic innovation and business trends. He is the author of 13 books with over 400,000 copies sold and has delivered more than 3,000 keynotes across 32 countries.

Known for his deep, dynamic, thought-provoking, and entertaining style, he is considered one of the most impactful speakers in the region. He has been featured at global stages such as WOBI, TED, Innovaland, and El Futuro en Español. Expansión Magazine included him in the “Red Circle” of business thinkers shaping Latin America’s entrepreneurial landscape, and América Economía ranked him among the top 5 most impactful Spanish-speaking speakers.

His “Seven-Sided Die” theory was named Mexico’s National Innovation Model in 2018. His latest book, INNOVACIÓN 5.0 (2023), presents major advances for successfully implementing strategic innovation processes.

Inspirational quote: 

“At 25, I had a degree and two master’s, but no clear direction. Attending a conference where 10 powerful speakers transformed the audience with their ideas changed everything. That’s when I knew I wanted to do the same. Years later, after 3,000+ talks and 13 books, I’m honored to share insights on innovation and leadership at the world’s top business forums.”

Natalia Bayona

Executive Director
UN Tourism

Natalia Bayona is the Executive Director of UN Tourism — the first person under 40 to ever lead the organization. Recognized globally for her visionary leadership, she has been named among the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Colombia, 75 Most Influential Latin American Women in Spain, and one of Forbes’ 50 Latin American Leaders to Follow (2024–2025). She also features in Bloomberg’s list of the 500 Most Influential Latin Americans and is part of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (2024).

With a strong background in innovation and sustainable development, Natalia built UN Tourism’s Innovation, Education and Investments Department from the ground up. Under her leadership, the organization has launched over 20 global startup competitions, national challenges, and innovation forums — transforming tourism into a driver of economic growth and opportunity.

She holds an Executive MBA from IE Business School and a Bachelor’s in Government and International Relations from Universidad Externado de Colombia. She is also a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Leadership Program and an Eisenhower Fellow, recognized for her commitment to building a fairer and more prosperous world through tourism.

Rafael Achondo

Co-founder and CEO of Matteria
Matteria

Co-Founder and CEO of Matteria, a talent consulting firm focused on connecting purpose-driven leadership with impactful organizations. He is also the Co-Founder and former CEO of TECHO U.S., the United States branch of the Latin American social organization TECHO. Rafael currently serves on the Board of TECHO Colombia and is a member of the BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network.

Inspirational quote: 

“People I met along the way showed me that anyone — with the right attitude and conviction — can create meaningful, positive change in their environment, and from there, in their community, their city, their country, and the world.”

Roberto Rabouin

Expert in Leadership and Managerial Skills – International Faculty, ADEN Business School
ADEN Business School

Roberto Rabouin is an international leadership expert and executive coach from Argentina. He currently serves as Faculty at ADEN Business School and has over two decades of experience working with leaders and organizations across Latin America and Europe.

He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Jaén, Spain, and has served as General Manager of Banco de Mendoza and CEO of Infonova Consulting. He is the author of several books on leadership and management and is a certified coach with the Association for Coaching (UK).

Inspirational quote: 

“My professional approach changed the day I realized that a person’s work is not about what they do, but about the impact they create in the lives of others through what they do.”

Shenella Govia

2025 JCI Executive Vice President for America
JCI (Junior Chamber International)

Shenella Govia is the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Creative Industries and serves as Leader of Government Business in the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda. She is a passionate advocate for youth development and public service.

Her JCI journey began in 2015 as Local President of JCI Antigua, later becoming President of JCI West Indies, and serving in various international roles including JCI Vice President, Chair of Strategic Planning, and currently, the first female Executive Vice President from the West Indies. She is a JCI Senator, graduate of the American Leadership Academy and the JCI Academy, and has been recognized as JCI’s Most Outstanding Member.

A skilled trainer, speaker, and lifelong leader, Shenella believes in service as a path to meaningful impact.

Inspirational quote: 

“My professional approach changed the day I realized that a person’s work is not about what they do, but about the impact they create in the lives of others through what they do.”

Virginia García Aragón

Country Manager for Mexico at DoGood People
DoGood People

Virginia García Aragón is a sustainability specialist and social entrepreneur currently serving as Country Manager for Mexico at DoGood People.

Born in Madrid in 1999, she holds a degree in Business Administration and International Relations from IE University. She began her career as a Credit Trader in Investment Banking at Banco Santander, where she built a strong strategic mindset and a global network in the financial sector.

Driven by her passion for impact and sustainability, Virginia joined DoGood People, an ESG acceleration platform, and later founded DoGood Mexico in 2023. Her mission is to help Latin American companies integrate sustainable practices and align with international standards.

Combining expertise in finance and international business with a deep commitment to social change, Virginia is dedicated to promoting a business model that delivers economic, social, and environmental value.

Inspirational quote: 

“I became obsessed with the importance of creating impact when I realized there’s no profit without people and planet.”

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