EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
BIOGRAPHY
deliver tailored digital transformation programmes, for example. These cases highlight that when institutions engage with the private sector proactively, they can design highly relevant, applied and future-focused learning experiences. Unlocking the region’s potential For executive education to truly unlock Latin America’s potential, several actors must align their efforts. Business schools must embrace agility, inclusiveness and business relevance. By regularly updating their curricula, they can also match fast-evolving industry demands, embed experiential learning and foster a mindset of innovation. For their part, corporate leaders must think about learning as a long-term investment. They can also incentivise participation by co-creating programmes with educational providers and allocating budgets for continuous upksilling. Policymakers, meanwhile, can amplify the collective impact by supporting university-industry partnerships, providing grants for executive education and recognising lifelong learning as a pillar of national economic competitiveness. Finally, learners must take ownership of their development and seek opportunities to build new capabilities, expand their networks and embrace adaptability in the face of disruption. Well-designed, responsive and forward-looking executive education can transform not just individual careers but also entire organisations. One leadership programme we co‑created with a Peruvian energy company, for example, led to a 35 per cent improvement in team performance metrics and a 20 per cent boost in cross-functional collaboration within six months. Similarly, after launching an international executive coaching initiative, we observed increased innovation outputs and higher employee retention rates. These are just starting points. To fully harness the power of executive education, Latin America must address several systemic challenges. These include expanding access to the format; leveraging technology as a transformative force for personalised, data-driven learning; and fostering an ecosystem where universities, companies, startups, NGOs and governments collaborate to shape the future of work. Latin America has the talent, creativity and drive to become a global benchmark for inclusive, innovative and high-impact executive education. But realising this potential will require bold leadership, strategic investment and a shared commitment to lifelong learning. Business schools, in particular, must embrace their role not just as knowledge providers, but also as ecosystem builders. In an era of uncertainty, complexity and rapid change, schools must help to create pathways of opportunity and shape the next generation of leaders to drive the region forward. After all, the future will not belong solely to those with formal degrees or prestigious titles. It will also belong to those willing to continuously learn, unlearn and relearn – and executive education stands at the centre of this transformation.
Mayra Vega is director of executive education at Centrum PUCP, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), where she leads innovation and programme development across Latin America. Vega holds two doctoral degrees in strategic business administration and is an active researcher in organisational learning and international education
Participant preferences also vary significantly: executives in the technology and finance sectors, for example, often favour fully online or hybrid formats to accommodate fast- paced schedules. Meanwhile, professionals in healthcare or manufacturing tend to prefer in-person, hands-on learning and peer networking. Understanding these nuances is crucial for any institution designing targeted, relevant programmes. Building lifelong learning ecosystems Another important aspect relates to ecosystems. Through university-corporate partnerships, corporate academies, innovation hubs and global bootcamps, North America has long-established lifelong learning ecosystems, while Latin America is just beginning to consolidate these efforts. However, the agility and creativity with which many Latin American institutions are responding to local challenges is to the region’s advantage. Various innovations have been pioneered, including collaborative online international learning (COIL), international masterclasses and short certificate programmes on trending topics. Such initiatives enable executives to access world-class learning without committing to the time and financial investment required for a full MBA. Yet, there is still a significant access gap across the region. In North America, approximately 40 per cent of executive education is financed by corporate funds, compared to only 18 per cent in Latin America, according to a 2023 GMAC report. Additionally, many programmes in the region still focus on traditional subjects, such as strategy, finance and marketing, without sufficiently integrating the new essentials that companies increasingly demand, like critical thinking, cultural intelligence and data-driven decision-making. However, several institutions are making notable progress. For example, Centrum PUCP has partnered with international universities to offer COIL programmes that allow Latin American and European students to co-develop business projects, fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaborative problem-solving. In Costa Rica, Incae has launched executive education programmes focused on sustainability and ESG leadership. Corporate-academic collaborations have also multiplied, with Mexico’s Egade joining forces with major Latin American corporations to
Ambition • ISSUE 5 • 2025 25
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