This fall, Florida International University’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom will host five international figures as Senior Leadership Fellows. The fellows include a former president of Mexico, the Dominican Republic’s minister of industry and commerce, a former secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), the vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and a former deputy minister of defense from the Czech Republic.
Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, founding director of the Adam Smith Center, highlighted the importance of these appointments. “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,” Díaz-Rosillo said. “Their lessons inspire bold thinking and equip our students with the confidence they need to lead in business, government, and beyond.”
Students will be able to attend multi-week study group sessions led by these fellows. The sessions are designed to encourage direct interaction between students and global leaders. These non-credit study groups will cover topics such as leadership in public and private sectors, economic development, global affairs, policymaking challenges, and decision-making in complex environments.
The program’s inaugural event is scheduled for September 10, 2025, at FIU’s MARC Pavilion on its Modesto A. Maidique Campus in Miami. The event is free and open to the public. Registration details can be found at freedom.fiu.edu/events.
The list of Fall 2025 Senior Leadership Fellows includes:
Luis Almagro is a Uruguayan lawyer and diplomat who served as secretary general of the OAS from 2015 to 2025. He previously held roles as Uruguay’s minister of foreign relations, ambassador to China, and senator. Since June 2025, he has been director at the Observatory for Democracy at the CASLA Institute.
“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 currently serves as vice president and managing director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Federation Relations and Coalition Partnerships division. Her previous experience includes service in both national politics and executive leadership roles during George W. Bush’s administration.
“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 has served since 2020 as minister overseeing industry and commerce in the Dominican Republic. His career spans over three decades including four terms as deputy for his country’s national district.
“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 was president of Mexico from 2006 to 2012 where he worked on economic growth initiatives amid challenges like financial crisis and health pandemics.
“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 currently serves as deputy chief of mission at Czech Republic’s embassy in Washington D.C., after holding various roles related to transatlantic security policy.
“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.”
The seminars aim to provide FIU students access to perspectives from senior leaders who have managed complex situations worldwide.
