The Center for Inclusive and Sustainable Leadership (CELIS) of INCAE Business School, in partnership with Awards of Happiness and Estrategia & Negocios Magazine, celebrated the second edition of the Transformational Women Leaders Awards. This initiative recognizes women who are leading with purpose, positively impacting their communities, companies, and countries.
This year, more than 60 women from 9 countries, including executives, entrepreneurs, businesswomen, and leaders from the public and private sectors, were honored for their contributions in six key categories:
- Happiness
- Sustainability
- Economic Empowerment
- Entrepreneur
- Innovation and Excellence
- Purpose
Each awardee represents a living example of transformative leadership, from those who promote more humane and resilient corporate cultures to those who lead innovation, sustainable development, or social inclusion.
"Today, more than ever, women's leadership is indispensable to building a more just, collaborative, and sustainable future. These women show us that to lead is not to impose, but to inspire, connect, and transform," said Gabriela Lucke, director of CELIS, in the awards ceremony.
Lizza Bobadilla de Handal, Segmented Audiences Manager and leader of E&N, said "Throughout more than 300 print editions and taking advantage of our extensive digital platform, we have maintained a firm commitment to promote the equity agenda in Central America and make visible the leaders who build a better region, through editions and events such as Mujeres Desafiantes de Centroamérica and 8M. Building a better society goes hand in hand with investing in women, which has a great return on investment and a multiplier effect on development; therefore, for the second consecutive year, we joined this event with two important entities, such as INCAE Business School and Awards of Happiness".
Among the honorees are Silvia Chaves (Florex), Maria José Paiz (Bi Foundation), Luis Fernanda Urcuyo (Banco Industrial), Natalia Soler (Holcim Costa Rica), Claudia Kattan-Jordan (Crowley Logistics), Rosalpina Rodríguez (Rector of Unitec), Rosaysella Ulloa (Banco Nacional), Alexandra Márquez-Massino (Coopeande), Andrea Monge (Castillo Hermanos), Elena Chong (Credicorp Bank), Valeria Ríos (BAC), Elisa Pineda (Diunsa) and many other leaders in areas as diverse as banking, sustainability, technology, agribusiness, education and social entrepreneurship.
"Change is not by chance, it is the result of courageous women who lead with purpose and transform realities. From Awards of Happiness, we celebrate all the Women Transformational Leaders who are rewriting the rules of the game in the region. They don't just blaze trails: they build them, illuminate them, and invite us all to walk differently. Congratulations for demonstrating that leading is impacting and that transforming is just the beginning!" Lesslie de Davidovich, CCO, Awards of Happiness.
The event was also attended by opinion leaders, teachers, and representatives of partner organizations who reaffirmed their commitment to equal opportunities and the promotion of female talent at all levels of society.
The Women Transformational Leaders Awards are aligned with CELIS' philosophy of accelerating women's leadership in Latin America through platforms of visibility, training, and strategic connection.