Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado

Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado has over 20 years’ experience in consulting, development, and implementation of public policies in Latin America. She became the first woman elected Vice-President in Panama.

Started diplomatic career with posts at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Permanent Mission in New York. Worked for 15 years with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Panama, occupying different positions, including Program Manager. Led team that designed and executed Agreements Panama 2000, where framework for the legislation of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) was created.

Has been a member of different boards of directors. Founding member of Women Corporate Directors Association of Panama, the Global Shapers Chapter of Panama, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, and is fellow of the Central America Leadership Initiative (“CALI”) and the Aspen Institute.

For her contributions to national consensus over two decades, received Woman of the Year award (2012), by the Panamanian Business Executives Association. Distinguished by the Harry S. Truman Institute for the Promotion of Peace and later honored by the Council of the Americas with the Bravo Awards 2018.

The Vice-President is a champion in sponsoring issues related to transparency, sustainable development, gender equality, and human rights. As the Latin American and Caribbean Champion for the UN Women-ILO-OECD initiative “Equal Pay International Coalition,” and the leader of the IDB-WEF Panama´s Gender Parity Taskforce, she has been instrumental in promoting policies to ensure gender equality internationally.

She has been guest speaker at prestigious academic institutions, including the London School of Economics, Columbia University, Saint Joseph’s University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, John Hopkins and Harvard. Also, prestigious television and newspapers globally have interviewed and cited her.

Ms. de Saint Malo de Alvarado has a Degree in International Relations and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Married to Omar Alvarado, they have three children.