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Abra Group
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LATAM Cargo
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Aya

avianca

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Garcia MARTIN

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Betancourt

BioD
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Celso
Ferrer

GOL
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Galpin

ICF

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Thompson

Plaza Premium Group

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avianca cargo

Enrique
Perrella

Business Traveler Magazine
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Eric
Hartmann

TIACA

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Ortiz

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Luna

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avianca
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Araujo

Reuters
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Frias

CNN

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Arruda

Mastercard
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Simpson

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Cadier

LATAM Brasil
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John
Rodgerson

AZUL
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Jose Raul
Vargas

SKY Airline Peru
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Sicilia

Boeing
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Salazar

ICAO
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Cierco

Iberia
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Restrepo

KIU System Solutions
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Salmon

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Noman

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Walker

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Losada

Skyscanner
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Van Oordt

LATAM
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Iberia
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Colunga

Iberia
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Linenberg

Deutsche Bank

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Froes

GE Aerospace
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de Souza

ANAC
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Piñeiro

Venari Partners
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Rousselin

DHL Express Panamá
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Heilbron

Copa Airlines

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Cerdá

ALTA
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Miró

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Vagner

Embraer
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buckman

Amadeus
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Copa Airlines
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IBS Software
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Minister of Trade & Tourism Peru

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Adrian Neuhauser

Abra Group

Adrian Neuhauser has served as CEO of Abra Group since January 2024. Mr. Neuhauser served as President and CEO of Avianca between 2021 and 2024 after joining the company as its Chief Financial Officer in 2019 and leading its corporate restructuring process. He has more than 20 years of experience in the financial sector with a focus on investment banking as well as extensive experience working with transportation companies, including airlines, railroad, and trucking companies. Prior to joining Avianca, Mr. Neuhauser was Managing Director at Credit Suisse covering airlines throughout the Americas. Previously, he held senior positions at Deutsche Bank, Bank of America as well as Merrill Lynch where he was responsible for M&A and capital markets transactions in Chile and the Andean Region. Mr. Neuhauser holds an Economics Degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica in Chile.

Alex de Gunten

HEICO

Alex de Gunten is a highly respected aviation executive with over 30 years of experience. As Sr VP Government & Industry Affairs  at HEICO Aerospace Corporation, a global leader in aerospace products and services, Alex drives strategic relationships with airlines and authorities worldwide and expands the company’s market presence.

Previously, Alex served as Executive Director of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), where he spearheaded initiatives to tackle industry challenges and foster collaboration among member airlines. He also held the role of Vice President of International at LATAM, playing a key role in growing the airline’s global footprint. Earlier in his career, Alex contributed to the strategic growth and operational efficiency of Canadian Airlines International through various leadership roles.

Alex’s contributions to aviation have earned him prestigious accolades, including the Air Transport World’s Decade of Excellence Award,  ALTA’s Federico Bloch Award and the Flight Safety Foundation-Boeing Aviation Safety Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University and an MBA from Queen’s University in Ontario. Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, Alex is a sought-after speaker at global aviation forums.

Andres Bianchi

LATAM Cargo

Andrés Bianchi has been LATAM Cargo’s Chief Executive Officer since April 2017. His experience in the airline business spans nearly 19 years, fourteen of which he has spent in the air cargo business. He has held various positions including VP Finance, SVP Network and SVP Sales & Revenue Management for North America, Europe, and Asia.
 
Prior to joining the cargo industry, he worked at McKinsey and Company. Before that, he was LAN Airlines’ Head of Investor Relations.
 
Bianchi holds a degree in Business Administration from Universidad Católica de Chile and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business, from which he graduated with honors.

Arturo Barreira

AIRBUS

Arturo Barreira was appointed President of Airbus Latin America and Caribbean Region in July 2018, bringing more than 25 years of global aviation leadership experience to the post. In this role, Arturo is responsible for all Airbus commercial activities and customer relationships in more than 40 countries for the three Airbus Divisions: Commercial Aircraft, Helicopters and Defence and Space.
As a leading member of the Latin America and Caribbean sales team, which has delivered record orders over the past 15 years, Arturo has driven the success of Airbus’ regional commercial aircraft sales division, cementing its position as the market leader in the region. In 2012, Arturo was appointed Vice President of Sales for Latin America and the Caribbean, responsible for building relationships with potential customers, generating and tracking orders, and placing aircraft with airlines in the region. He
previously held the position of Regional Sales Director since 2005.
Arturo started his career in 1996 at AENA (Spanish Airports and Air Navigation) in the Corporate Development department. One year later he joined Airbus as Customer Marketing Manager for Western Europe. In 2002, he was appointed Senior Financial Risk Manager. From 2003 to 2005 he was Marketing Director for Airbus in the Middle East.
A native of Madrid, Spain, Arturo holds a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Aeronáuticos de la Universidad Politécnica and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from ICADE Instituto de Postgrado de la Universidad Pontifícia Comillas. Arturo continues to develop his career and has attended various aviation courses at Cranfield University in London and the IATA Learning Centre in Geneva.
Arturo is married with one daughter. He is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, golf, football, traveling and reading.

Carlos Garcia

Oliver Wyman

Carlos Garcia Martin is a Partner in Oliver Wyman’s Transportation & Services practice, primarily focusing on large-scale cost takeout and operations engagements. With over 15 years of consulting experience, he has advised clients in various sectors of the aviation community across the U.S., Europe, South America, and Asia. His expertise lies in commercial aviation, manufacturing, and the MRO market. He has led value creation diagnostics, delivered sustainable operational improvement initiatives for passenger and cargo airlines, designed strategies and processes for airline maintenance organizations, and evaluated fleet and MRO market forecasts. Additionally, he has provided guidance to top-tier Private Equity firms on aviation-focused strategic investments.

Carlos holds an MBA from IESE Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management, where he graduated with honors. He also holds an MSc (Summa Cum Laude) in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Pontificia Comillas.

Carolina Betancourt

BioD

Carolina Betancourt is a Chemical Engineer with more than 17 years of experience in biofuels. As New Business Manager at BioD S.A., she has led the development of innovative energy solutions for the land, aviation, and maritime sectors. Carolina is now leading BioD’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel project, called “A Gift from the Earth to the Sky,” which transforms sustainable feedstocks and ordinary waste into renewable energy for aviation and contributes to decarbonizing the world.

Celso Ferrer

GOL

Celso Guimarães Ferrer Junior is 42 years old, 20 of them devoted to GOL, where he started his professional career as an intern.

Since 2019, Celso has been GOL’s COO, heading the Operations, Operational Safety, Airports, Planning, Air Network, Supplies and Fleet departments. Previously, he worked as Planning Vice President for five years, with extensive experience in Pricing and Alliances. On July 1st, 2022, Celso becomes the new CEO at GOL.

Celso has a degree in Economics from USP and International Relations from PUC-SP and an Executive MBA from INSEAD – France. He is also an experienced airline pilot and is part of GOL’s crew in the Boeing 737 fleet.

Enrique Perrella

Business Traveler Magazine

Enrique Perrella is the aviation director for Business Traveler magazine and is the host of The Business Traveler Show, which airs on the Reach TV network in 95 airports across the United States. With over 18 years of journalistic experience, Enrique has built a solid reputation as a publisher, recognized for steering editorial success in prestigious publications. His work has received international acclaim, with contributions to major media outlets such as CNN, The Washington Post, and France24. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, he excels in fostering effective communication and collaboration with a diverse array of stakeholders. A seasoned professional, Enrique possesses a deep understanding of the aviation industry, which he has cultivated through extensive industry connections, interviews with leading executives, and active participation in global airshows since 2009.

Frederico Pedreira

avianca

Frederico Pedreira  es Chief Operating Officer de Avianca Group desde el 11 de enero de 2021. Regresó a la aerolínea con la misión de liderar los procesos relacionados con la operación y la entrega del servicio en un momento retador para la industria aérea, garantizando vuelos seguros y a tiempo. 

Ejecutivo con una experiencia destacada en procesos de transformación empresarial, crecimiento, experiencia del cliente y gestión del cambio. Por más de 10 años, su trayectoria profesional la ha desarrollado en la industria aeronáutica, desempeñando cargos de Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President y Chief Financial Officer. 

Frederico nació en Portugal. Su formación académica como Ingeniero Aeroespacial la realizó en la Universidad Técnica de Lisboa (Portugal) y SUPAERO (Francia), y cuenta con un MBA de la escuela de negocios INSEAD.

Gabriel Araujo

Reuters

Gabriel Araujo is a breaking news correspondent for Reuters in Sao Paulo, covering Latin America with a focus on the region’s aviation industry. A graduate of the University of Sao Paulo, he previously covered commodities and sports.

Gustavo Arruda

Mastercard

Gustavo is the Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) at the Mastercard Economics Institute, leading the development and delivery of innovative economic analyses on topics such as economics, consumption, public policy, and macroeconomics. His team directly impacts clients, Mastercard’s internal leadership, and public policymakers. Gustavo joined Mastercard in July 2024, bringing with him nearly two decades of solid experience in economic research. Prior to that, he was the Chief Economist for Latin America at BNP Paribas.

He holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in Applied Economics from the São Paulo School of Economics at Fundação Getúlio Vargas, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of São Paulo (USP).

Jerome Cadier

LATAM Brasil

Jerome Cadier has been the CEO of LATAM Airlines Brazil since May 1, 2017, with a focus on operational efficiency, innovation, and improving the customer experience.

He has been with the LATAM Group since 2013, serving as Senior Vice President of Marketing in Santiago, responsible for communications, branding, loyalty, customer experience, market intelligence, and digital initiatives. Prior to that, he worked at Whirlpool in sales and marketing and led the company’s operations in Oceania. He also worked for eight years at McKinsey & Company in Brazil.

Jerome holds a degree in Production Engineering from USP and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University, USA).

John Rodgerson

Azul Brazilian Airlines

John Rodgerson is the CEO of Azul Brazilian Airlines. He started the company in 2008 and was a key driver of its development over the last 10 years. Under the leadership of David Neeleman and John Rodgerson, Azul has become the largest airline in Brazil by number of cities, serving more than 130 destinations in the country. With over US$2.5 billion in annual revenue and more than 13,000 crewmembers, Azul has been rated by Trip Advisor as the best airline in the world. John played a key role in developing Azul’s original business plan, its strong corporate culture, and differentiated customer experience. Prior to becoming Azul’s CEO in 2017, John was the airline´s CFO, responsible for raising over US$ 1 billion in capital and leading its IPO, with simultaneous listings at the New York Stock Exchange and the São Paulo Exchange. Prior to joining Azul, John served as Director of Planning and Financial Analysis at JetBlue from 2003 to 2008, where he fell in love with the airline sector. Before JetBlue, he worked for IBM Global Services. John holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Brigham Young University. John has been living in Brazil for the past 12 years, and besides his busy schedule as Azul’s CEO he volunteers as an English teacher. He is happily married with Brooke and together they have three sons.

Jose Raul Vargas

SKY Airline Peru

Ejecutivo senior, bachiller en economía, MBA con doble maestría en administración estratégica de negocios.

Bilingüe, con experiencia en operaciones, recursos humanos, servicio al cliente y en consultoría de negocios

en empresas del ámbito nacional e internacional. Resultados exitosos mediante liderazgo gerencial, con

habilidades de innovación, negociación y trabajo en equipo, emprendedor y con alta adaptación al cambio.

Habilidad para el análisis, toma de decisiones y manejo de personal.

Jose Sicilia

Boeing

Jose Sicilia is the Vice President of Sales for Latin America and the Caribbean for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Previously, Mr. Sicilia was part of Boeing’s Global Leasing sales team with focus on strategic integration, as well as managing the AERCAP and SMBC relationships.  Other assignments in his Boeing career included the coordination of the 737/787 whitetail sales initiative and leading the commercial integration for the Boeing Brasil Commercial joint venture with Embraer.

Mr. Sicilia was also Sales Director for various countries and customers in Latin America from 2005 to 2018. He joined Boeing as a Marketing Regional Director in January 2003 from Pegasus Aviation leasing. 

Mr. Sicilia started his aviation career in 1996 at TACA airlines in El Salvador.  Mr. Sicilia earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated from Harvard Business School’s General Management Program.

Juan Carlos Salazar

ICAO
The Secretary General of ICAO is head of the Secretariat and chief executive officer of the Organization responsible for general direction of the work of the Secretariat. The Secretary General provides leadership to a specialized international staff working in the field of international civil aviation. The Secretary General serves as the Secretary of the Council of ICAO and is responsible to the Council as a whole and, following established policies, carries out the duties assigned by the Council, and makes periodic reports to the Council covering the progress of the Secretariat activities.
 
The Secretariat consists of five main divisions: the Air Navigation Bureau, the Air Transport Bureau, the Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau, the Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau, and the Bureau of Administration and Services. The Secretary General is also directly responsible for the management and effective work performance of the activities assigned to the Office of the Secretary General relating to Finance, Internal Oversight, Ethics, and seven Regional Offices.
 
The ICAO Council appointed Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar of Colombia as the Secretary General of the Organization for a three-year term, beginning 1 August 2021. On 11 March 2024, the ICAO Council renewed his appointment for a second consecutive three-year term, to begin August 2024.

Juan Cierco

Iberia

Licenciado en Ciencias de la Información, rama de Periodismo, es desde febrero de 2014 director de Comunicación, Relaciones Institucionales y RSC de Iberia, y desde septiembre de 2020, director Corporativo de Iberia con responsabilidad sobre Marketing, Relaciones Institucionales, Sostenibilidad y Comunicación. Anteriormente ejerció también como director de Desarrollo de Personas y Comunicación.

Previamente trabajó en Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica como director de Comunicación y Sostenibilidad, y en los departamentos de Comunicación de Inditex y la Secretaría de Estado de Comunicación del presidente José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Y antes trabajó en varios medios de comunicación, ABC, Telecinco, Antena 3 y Punto Radio.

Juan Felipe Restrepo

KIU System Solutions

Chief Product Officer – Leader in digital product development at KIU System Solutions
«The key is to create simple products that solve real problems with high-impact technology.»

With over 15 years of experience developing digital solutions across Latin America and global markets, I have worked on everything from distribution systems and booking engines to virtual assistants powered by generative AI—always at the intersection of technological innovation and real business needs.

At KIU System Solutions, I lead the creation of accessible, scalable products designed to transform operations and user experiences, driving efficiency and competitiveness for our clients in an ever-evolving global market

Juan José Salmón

LAP

Juan José Salmón is a Peruvian executive, lawyer graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) and has a master’s degree in law from the University of Southampton, England.  With more than 20 years of experience in the shipping, logistics, and airport sectors, he has headed companies in these fields from the top management. Since 2011, he has served as General Manager of Lima Airport, operator of Jorge Chávez International Airport. Since 2023, he has been Vice President of ACI-LAC (Airport Council International Latin America Caribbean).

Juliano Noman

ABEAR

Juliano Noman is the President of the Brazilian Association of Airlines (Abear). He is an economist, graduated from the University of Brasília (UnB), and holds a master’s degree in Air Navigation Management from the École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) in France. With 19 years of experience in the aviation sector, he has held several public positions, contributing to policies aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing regulation, and democratizing access to air travel.

He previously served as Director-General of the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and as Civil Aviation Secretary (SAC) at Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports, and was a member of the Board of Directors at Guarulhos International Airport and Belo Horizonte International Airport. In the federal government, Noman coordinated the aviation sector for major events such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. He also led the Brazilian delegation at the ICAO Assembly that established the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Katrin Dalibor

Lufthansa

Experienced international executive in the airline catering industry, adept at driving organizational readiness for long-term objectives and sustainable transformation. Skilled in building and cultivating relationships and securing buy in from diverse stakeholders across organizations, hierarchies, functions, and cultural backgrounds. Adaptable and open to embracing the new: different roles, organizational set-up, evolving internal and external demands. Systemic and analytical thinker, proficient in translating complex multi-dimensional problems into concrete concepts and actionable strategies.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Spearheaded and managed LSG Group sales process from regional perspective.
  • Developed and effectively communicated 5-year strategy and initiated execution via strategic project portfolio management.
  • Successfully fulfilled temporary assignment as Head of HR Latin America with focus on crisis management and organizational restructuring.
  • Instrumental in driving LSG Group’s 2030 ESG Agenda including co-development of a regional roadmap and build-up of thriving community, which grew to 200+ members
  • Demonstrated leadership prowess through departmental redesign, implementation of career pathing initiatives, and fostering a culture of constructive feedback.

Lourdes Losada

Skyscanner

Lourdes Losada leads Skyscanner’s business across the Americas, overseeing partnerships with the world’s largest airlines, tourism boards, and travel brands. Under her leadership, the region has delivered record growth, establishing Skyscanner as a trusted advisor and innovation partner for carriers navigating digital transformation.
With over 20 years of experience in advertising and travel technology, Lourdes has been at the forefront of driving performance and brand outcomes for airlines and travel partners across North and South America. She is recognized for building long-term strategic collaborations that unlock new demand, optimize distribution, and maximize profitability in competitive markets.
A multilingual leader originally from Spain and now based in Miami, Lourdes combines global perspective with local expertise. She is a frequent industry speaker, advocate for women in technology, and passionate about how AI and data can reshape the future of travel.

Manuel Van Oordt

LATAM

Desde 2018, el Sr. van Oordt lidera con orgullo un fantástico equipo de peruanos que comparten la pasión por gestionar la mejor aerolínea del Perú, garantizando siempre la excelencia en cada viaje.
Durante sus 21 años de trayectoria en LATAM, el Sr. van Oordt ha liderado equipos de ventas, marketing y experiencia del cliente en varios países, ha dirigido la transformación digital de LATAM en Perú y ha liderado la estrategia de sostenibilidad de la compañía. También supervisa las filiales de LATAM en Ecuador y Paraguay.
Es miembro activo y miembro del consejo directivo de varias organizaciones que promueven activamente el desarrollo económico sostenible, el libre comercio, el desarrollo turístico y las iniciativas de integridad en la comunidad empresarial y la sociedad peruana.
El Sr. van Oordt obtuvo su licenciatura en Ingeniería Eléctrica en el Instituto Politécnico de Worcester (WPI) y un MBA en la Escuela de Negocios Ross de la Universidad de Michigan.

Marco Sansavini

Iberia

Marco Sansavini has been CEO of Iberia since April 2024. Previously, where for eight years, between 2012 and 2020, he was Commercial Director. He was part of the team that, led by Luis Gallego, designed and carried out the successful transformation of the company.
In 2020 he was appointed CEO of Vueling, another of the IAG Group airlines. There, he strengthened Vueling with a transformation process that turned it into one of the best low-cost companies in Europe.
Marco Sansavini’s career in the aviation sector began in 1995, when he joined KLM. He held various management positions and participated in its merger process with Air France. In 2004
he joined Air France-KLM as vice-president of Global Business and carried out various roles at the group and its subsidiary, Alitalia, until 2012.
He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Bologna and a master’s degree in business administration from the IMD in Lausanne. His long professional career has allowed
him to live in Milan, Rome, Zurich, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, and Barcelona. Marco Sansavini was born in Bologna. He is married and has three children.

Marina Colunga

Iberia

Marina Colunga is the Sales Regional Director for Latin America on behalf of Iberia and British Airways, leading the commercial strategy and expansion in the region.
In her previous roles, she developed a strong background of more than 20 years of experience in areas such as Tourism, Airlines, Leisure Travel, Hospitality, and OTA’s.
Her career includes a collection of Senior Leadership positions such as Regional Director, Area Manager, Market Director, Sales & Marketing Director, ECommerce, and Public Relations Director for some of the top worldwide hotel brands, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Melia International, and Expedia Group.
Marina Colunga has a Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce from Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE).

Luiz Froes

GE Aerospace

Luiz is the Regional Executive Director & VP Government Relations of Latin America for GE Aerospace based in São Paulo-Brazil. The executive is responsible to develop, lead and execute GE Aerospace government engagement strategies in the region across ministries, embassies, and government entities, and serve as advisory on a broad range of governmental regulatory issues, monitoring regarding
the local geopolitical, macroeconomic policy and regulatory issues that may affect GE Aerospace’s interests. A 22-year veteran in the Aerospace industry, Luiz joined GE Aerospace in 2002 through an internship program at GE Celma maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Petropolis-Rio de Janeiro. Since then, he has been promoted to roles of increasing responsibility including Contracts Fulfillment Coordinator, Customer Program and Support Manager and Sales Support Director. Luiz is one of the graduates from the 2010 class of GE Corporate Commercial
Leadership Program, when he had the opportunity to spend 3 years working internationally based off Cincinnati-US. In 2018, Luiz was appointed as Regional Sales Director for Latin America responsible
for Commercial Engines and Services sales activities in the region based in São Paulo-Brazil.
Luiz holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Arthur de Sá Earp Neto University, and a master’s degree in business management from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Luiz is a bilingual executive who speaks Portuguese and English fluently and is actively working to improve his Spanish proficiency.

Luiz Ricardo de Souza

ANAC

Luiz Ricardo de Souza Nascimento graduated from the Brazilian Air Force Academy (FAB) and has more than 40 years of experience as a military pilot. He is a retired Air Force Major-Brigadier and was Air Navigation Advisor to the Brazilian Delegate at ICAO and Brazilian Commissioner at the ICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC), in Montreal, Canada.

He has a degree in management development from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-RJ); MBA in advanced executive development from Universidade Federal Fluminense; MBA in Management, from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), MBA in Politics and Strategy from Centro Universitário Lins and Safety Management System (SMS) and USOAP auditor course – promoted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in Montreal.

Among the various functions performed, the following stand out: Head of the Accident Prevention and Investigation Section of CINDACTA II Airspace Control; Head of the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Division (D-CNS) of the Airspace Control Department (DECEA); Head of the Airspace Control Security Advisory (ASEGCEA); Commander of CINDACTA II; Director of Economics and Finance of the Air Force (DIREF), Chief of Strategic Planning of the General Staff of the Brazilian Air Force Command.

Luiz Ricardo was appointed Director of the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) in December 2021.

Nelamar Piñeiro

Venari Partners

Nelamar focuses on board, c-level and other executive leadership positions across travel, airlines, hospitality, and tech businesses. She advises clients ranging from large public companies to founder-led and PE-backed growth companies. Her international experience expands beyond global talent advisory, and she has lived and worked in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.

She brings a wealth of executive search experience having worked at Heidrick & Struggles, Spencer Stuart, and True Search. She also built and led the global executive recruitment function at REEF Technology, backed by private equity investors, Softbank, Oaktree, and Mudabala.

Nelamar is based in Miami and is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and French.

Pablo Rousselin

DHL Express

“After starting his airline industry career in Engineering, Pablo also held multiple managerial positions in Technical Operations before moving to Projects related to operations, fleet and systems. He then transitioned into more administrative roles like MRO Director before moving to the cargo industry. He currently leads the 4 cargo carriers covering Latin America as the region’s Vice President while still holding the General Manager position for the one base out of Panama. These business units operate under DHL Express within the Aviation division, serving stations in Latin America and the Caribbean connecting the region thru the Miami hub.

Pablo holds a Masters in Applied Economics & Business Administration in addition to his main educational degree of Masters in Aerospace Engineering.”

Peter Cerda

ALTA

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, holds a master’s degree in Aeronautical Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Cerdá began his career at Iberia Airlines and joined IATA in 1996, where he continues to serve as Regional Vice President for the Americas. He joined ALTA in 2025, working closely with authorities, regulators, and other industry stakeholders.

Ramón Miró

Quiport

Ramón Miró is the President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, since June 2021.

Ramón Miró is an experienced airport executive with several decades of international experience in airport concessions and privatizations, complemented by work in banking, electric deregulation, and management consulting, among other areas. He has been involved in airport concession management for over 15 years, including at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, Ecuador, and Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, Costa Rica.

He studied Engineering at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and obtained the International Airport Professional (IAP) certification in 2013, awarded after completing the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP) offered by the Airports Council International (ACI) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the specialized UN agency for global air transport regulation.

He speaks Spanish and English.

Ricardo Vagner

Embraer

Vagner Ricardo is the Head of Product Marketing for Embraer Commercial Aviation. He leads a team supporting all the Global Regional Sales offices with product marketing materials and technical information on Embraer’s commercial aviation products and solutions.

With over 20 years at Embraer, Vagner began his career as a Product Development Engineer during the E-Jets program launch. He has since held various roles, including Sales Engineer for Executive Aviation, where he supported the sales of over 100 business jets, and Structured Finance, where he sourced financing solutions for airlines. Vagner also managed marketing and communication activities for commercial aircraft lessors.

Before his current position, Vagner was the Airline Strategy Director for the Americas, responsible for monitoring and anticipating regional trends in the airline industry and communicating Embraer’s strategic solutions.

Vagner holds a master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from ITA (Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica) and an MBA in Finance Management from FGV (Fundação Getulio Vargas).

He lives in São Jose dos Campos with his wife and two sons. Outside of work, Vagner enjoys sports.

Robert Buckman

Amadeus

As Senior Vice President of Solution Consulting at Amadeus, Robert empowers businesses to achieve strategic goals through innovative solutions. With over 25 years of experience, Robert combines technical expertise and deep travel industry knowledge to address complex business challenges and deliver impactful solutions. He leads AI-driven personalization, Offer & Order transformation for airlines, and contactless and seamless travel technologies for Global Business Travel Agencies, among other innovative strategies.

Robert’s leadership has been instrumental in defining and driving solutions that support the business strategies of Amadeus’ Airline IT and Travel Distribution customers. His unique perspective, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of the travel industry, enables him to translate complex challenges into tangible business value.

A graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton, Robert is a seasoned industry executive with expertise across supplier, corporate, and agency sales, product management, and commercial strategy. His extensive experience gives him a unique insight into an industry continually on the cusp of change.

Robert Carey

Copa Airlines

Robert Carey is the Executive Vice President at Copa Airlines, joining the company a year ago.  Prior to Copa, Robert was the President of Wizz Air in Europe. 

Starting over 25 years ago in aviation, he  previously worked at EasyJet, Delta Air Lines and America West Airlines. 

Robert also spent more than a decade at McKinsey and Company, working with airlines around the globe as a partner leading the airline practice.

Robert has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Arizona State University as well as a Master in Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School.

Somit Goyal

IBS Software

Somit Goyal serves as the Chief Executive Officer of IBS Software, he brings a wealth of experience in the enterprise software sector, having held leadership roles at globally renowned companies such as Microsoft, SAP, Oracle and AOL.

Somit recently served as President and COO of Pluralsight, a SaaS company, where he oversaw product, engineering and GTM functions. Previously, Somit was at Microsoft for over a decade, where he held several leadership roles across strategy, operations, sales and customer success. In his last role, he managed the global sales of Microsoft’s Modern Work cloud business comprising productivity, collaboration and devices portfolio of solutions. Before that, Somit served as Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft’s Public Sector business worldwide. Somit also conceived and established the Customer Success function at Microsoft, an area of growing importance for IBS Software as it continues to expand globally.

Somit holds an Electrical Engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology and an MBA from INSEAD, France.

Waleska Fortini

LATAM Airlines Group

Waleska Fortini has served as the Emergency Response Manager for LATAM Airlines Group since 2010. She joined the company in 2002 and has held various positions within the Corporate Safety Department, contributing significantly to the development of the company’s safety protocols.

One of her most notable achievements was the implementation of the Aviation Quality System (AQD) for TAM in 2006. In 2007, following the tragic TAM 3054 accident in São Paulo, which resulted in 199 fatalities, she served as Safety Coordinator. Her exceptional leadership during this critical event led to her appointment as Emergency Response Manager in 2010. In this role, she managed the long-term family assistance efforts, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. Since then, she has been responsible for overseeing the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for LATAM Airlines Group, implementing the process across all affiliates in the region.

In addition to her role at LATAM Airlines Group, Waleska Fortini is an active member of the Emergency Response Planning Task Force for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing airlines from the Americas. She also founded the Emergency Response Group for the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA).

Waleska holds a degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Business Management. She has earned certifications from several authoritative bodies related to emergency response and family assistance, including CENIPA and ANAC (Brazil), NTSB/TDA (United States), and IATA.

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