8th Annual Security Challenges in Latin America Forum: Politics and Violence in a Shifting Hemisphere

Iván Marques

Secretary for Multidimensional Security, Organization of American States

OAS

Mr. Iván C. Marques serves as Secretary for Multidimensional Security at the Organization of American States (OAS). He has worked across government, international organizations, and civil society on public security, human rights, and violence prevention. His expertise focuses on citizen security, institutional reform, and regional cooperation in addressing security challenges.

Adam Isacson

Director for Defense Oversight, Washington Office on Latin America

Mr. Adam Isacson is Director for Defense Oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), where he monitors U.S. security cooperation and regional defense trends. He has conducted extensive field research across Latin America, particularly in Colombia, and has produced numerous publications on security and human rights. His work focuses on civil-military relations, security policy, and accountability in the Americas.

Jana Nelson

Senior Director for Latin America, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change; former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs

Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

Ms. Jana Nelson is Senior Director for Latin America at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, where she works with political leaders and institutions to drive reform and strengthen governance. She previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs, advising on regional security and defense policy. Her expertise focuses on governance reform, public policy delivery, and strategic engagement across Latin America.

Yael Sternberg

Johns Hopkins SAIS; former Latin America analyst, Eurasia Group

Johns Hopkins SAIS

Ms. Yael Sternberg is a second-year MAIR candidate who has previously worked as a Latin America analyst at Eurasia Group. Her experience includes political risk analysis and regional policy research. Her work focuses on Latin American political dynamics, elections, and governance trends.

Thomas Shannon

Former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs

Ambassador Thomas Shannon is a senior U.S. diplomat with over three decades of service in the Foreign Service. He most recently served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third-highest position at the State Department, and held the rank of Career Ambassador. His experience includes serving as U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, with expertise in diplomacy, global strategy, and hemispheric relations.

Jim Marckwardt

Founder, SAIS Latin America Studies Initiative; Professor, IADC

SAIS

Monica Palencia

Ambassador of Ecuador to the Organization of American States; former Minister of the Interior of Ecuador

OAS

Ambassador Mónica Palencia is Ambassador of Ecuador to the Organization of American States and former Minister of the Interior of Ecuador. She has led national efforts on public security, governance, and institutional reform. Her work focuses on security policy, rule of law, and regional cooperation.

Carlos Ruiz-Hernández

Head of Practice, RPK Global; Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Panama

Real Politik Group

Ambassador Carlos Ruiz-Hernández is a Panamanian diplomat and international lawyer and founder of The Real.Politik Group, a geopolitical advisory firm based in Washington, D.C. and Rome. He most recently served as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, representing the country at the United Nations Security Council and managing foreign policy during a period of heightened hemispheric tension. His work focuses on diplomacy, geopolitical strategy, and how small states assert sovereignty and strategic agency amid great power competition.

Tahina Montoya

Adjunct Faculty, Inter-American Defense College

Adjunct Faculty, Inter-American Defense College

Dr. Tahina Montoya is Adjunct Faculty at the Inter-American Defense College, a Policy Researcher at RAND, and an officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. She has over 17 years of experience in intelligence and defense policy, including deployments supporting major U.S. operations. Her work focuses on multidimensional security, defense strategy, and Western Hemisphere affairs.

Sarah-Ann Lynch Lynch

Former Civilian Deputy to the Commander and Foreign Policy Advisor, U.S. Southern Command; former U.S. Ambassador to Guyana

Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch is a career U.S. diplomat who most recently served as Civilian Deputy to the Commander and Foreign Policy Advisor at U.S. Southern Command. She previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, where she played a key role in supporting democratic processes and expanding U.S. engagement. Her expertise focuses on diplomacy, regional security, and political-military affairs.

Sergio de la Peña

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs

Mr. Sergio de la Peña is a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs. He previously served for over 30 years in the U.S. Army, including roles in defense policy and regional security strategy. His expertise focuses on defense cooperation, security policy, and U.S. military engagement in the Americas.

Steven Dudley

Co-founder and Co-director, InSight Crime; Senior Fellow, American University

Mr. Steven Dudley is Co-Founder and Co-Director of InSight Crime and a Senior Research Fellow at American University. He is an award-winning journalist and author specializing in organized crime, criminal networks, and security dynamics in Latin America. His work focuses on illicit economies, violence, and governance in the region

Clare Seelke

Specialist in Latin American Affairs, Congressional Research Service

Ms. Clare Seelke is a Specialist in Latin American Affairs at the Congressional Research Service. She has covered security, migration, and U.S.–Mexico relations for Congress since the mid-2000s. Her expertise focuses on regional security challenges, migration policy, and U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.

Francisco González

Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins SAIS; Faculty Co-Lead, The Americas Focus Area

Dr. Francisco González is Associate Professor of International Political Economy and Latin American Politics at Johns Hopkins SAIS and Faculty Co-Lead of the Americas Focus Area. His research focuses on political economy, energy policy, and regional dynamics in Latin America. His work examines governance, economic reform, and international engagement in the region.

David Smolansky

Senior Advisor to María Corina Machado; former OAS Special Envoy for the Venezuelan Migrant and Refugee Crisis

Mr. Smolansky is the Deputy Director of the ConVzla Presidential Campaign, representing democratic opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-Elect Edmundo González in Washington, D.C. He also serves as a Senior Security Advisor and spokesperson for the campaign, supporting strategic communications, policy development, and international engagement.

Miriam Kornblith

Senior Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, National Endowment for Democracy; former Vice President, Venezuelan National Electoral Council

National Endowment for Democracy

Ms. Miriam Kornblith is Senior Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the National Endowment for Democracy. She previously served as Vice President of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council and has held academic positions at the Central University of Venezuela. Her work focuses on democratic institutions, electoral systems, and political development in Venezuela and across the region.

Brian Naranjo

Independent Senior Foreign Service Officer (ret); Independent Strategic Consultant

Mr. Brian Naranjo is an independent strategic advisor and Senior Advisor at Transnational Strategy Group, specializing in political risk, government relations, and crisis management. He served for 32 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, including as Deputy Chief of Mission in Venezuela and senior leadership roles in Mexico and Canada. His expertise focuses on Venezuela, U.S. hemispheric policy, and regional security and migration dynamics.

Cynthia Arnson

Adjunct Lecturer, Johns Hopkins SAIS; former Director, Latin American Program, Wilson Center

Johns Hopkins SAIS

Dr. Cynthia J. Arnson is former Director and former Distinguished Fellow of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and an Adjunct Lecturer at Johns Hopkins SAIS. She was a Fall 2025 visiting professor at Universidad de los Andes in Colombia as part of its Pensadores del Mundo program. Her work focuses on Latin American politics, conflict resolution, and U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere.

Carrie Filipetti

Executive Director, Vandenberg Coalition; former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Cuba and Venezuela

Vandenberg Coalition

Ms. Carrie Filipetti is Executive Director of the Vandenberg Coalition and a Distinguished Fellow at the Wilson Center. She previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Cuba and Venezuela and Deputy Special Representative for Venezuela. Her work focuses on U.S. foreign policy, democratic transitions, and strategic engagement in Latin America.