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PALOMA VALENCIA

Colombian lawyer, philosopher, former senator and presidential candidate known for her voice on democracy, leadership and public policy

  • A leading voice in Colombian public life: Three-term senator and 2026 presidential candidate with extensive experience at the center of Colombia’s political debate
  • A powerful communicator and debater: Known for articulating complex and controversial ideas with clarity, conviction and intellectual rigor
  • A multidisciplinary perspective: Lawyer, philosopher and economics specialist from Universidad de los Andes, with a Master’s in Creative Writing from New York University
  • Leadership from inside democracy: Brings firsthand experience of political leadership, polarization, coalition-building, public decision-making and the pressures facing democratic institutions
  • A distinctive female leadership voice: Offers a personal perspective on ambition, resilience, public scrutiny and the challenges women continue to face in positions of power

Paloma Valencia is a Colombian lawyer, philosopher, public leader and one of the country’s most recognized political voices.

She served three consecutive terms in the Colombian Senate, where her legislative work addressed economic growth, poverty reduction, government austerity, social investment, environmental issues and justice. In 2026, she became a presidential candidate, taking her ideas on security, economic development, education, energy, democracy and social policy to a national audience.

Valencia holds degrees in Law and Philosophy and a specialization in Economics from Universidad de los Andes, as well as a Master’s in Creative Writing from New York University. This unusual combination of law, economics, philosophy and storytelling has shaped a communication style that combines policy analysis with strong narrative and argument.

Throughout her public career, she has participated in some of Colombia’s most consequential debates on democracy, security, economic development, peace, institutions and the future of the country. She has also been a longtime opinion columnist, sharpening a distinctive ability to translate complex political and social questions into compelling arguments.

As a speaker, Valencia brings audiences an insider’s perspective on leadership under pressure, democracy in polarized societies, women and power, and the political and economic forces shaping Colombia and Latin America.

Paloma tailors each presentation to the needs of her audience and is not limited to the topics listed below. Please ask us about any subject that interests you:

  • Leadership in Times of Uncertainty
  • Democracy, Institutions & Polarization
  • Colombia & Latin America
  • Women, Leadership & Power
  • Economic Development & Social Mobility
  • Security, Peace & Democratic Governance
  • Public Policy & Decision-Making
  • Communication, Debate & the Power of Ideas

Three-Sentence Essence

Paloma Valencia’s keynotes explore leadership, conviction and decision-making in an increasingly polarized and uncertain world. Drawing on her experience at the heart of Colombian public life, she offers a firsthand perspective on democracy, institutions, women in leadership and the forces reshaping Colombia and Latin America. With intellectual rigor, powerful communication and personal experience, she challenges audiences to lead with courage, defend their ideas and build bridges across differences.

LATIN AMERICA: IT’S TIME TO CATCH THE TRAIN

AI, Energy and the Region’s New Opportunity

The world is entering a new era. Artificial intelligence, the energy transition and a shifting geopolitical landscape are redefining global competitiveness. In this thought-provoking keynote, Paloma Valencia explores Latin America’s place amid these transformations and asks an urgent question: Will the region seize the opportunity this time?
Latin America has allowed previous economic and technological revolutions to pass by while debating which path to take. Today, two new “trains” are arriving: AI and energy. With extraordinary resources and potential, the challenge is no longer diagnosis—it is execution. A compelling call for business and institutional leaders to move from reflection to action before the train passes by again.

Leadership with Conviction: Making Decisions When Everything Is Contested

Leadership becomes most difficult when there is no consensus, every decision is scrutinized and the stakes are high. Drawing on more than a decade at the center of Colombian public life and a presidential campaign, Paloma Valencia explores what it means to lead under pressure.

She reflects on conviction and compromise, criticism and resilience, communication and trust, and the challenge of remaining true to one’s principles while building bridges with people who see the world differently. A keynote about the human side of leadership that reaches far beyond politics.

Democracy in the Age of Polarization

Why are democratic societies becoming increasingly divided? And how can leaders defend their convictions without turning those who disagree with them into enemies?

Drawing on Colombia’s complex political experience, Paloma Valencia examines polarization, institutional trust, security, populism, political discourse and the growing difficulty of building consensus. She argues for a democracy in which disagreement is vigorous but institutions and respect for difference remain stronger than political divisions.

Colombia & Latin America: Leadership, Growth and the Next Chapter

Latin America faces a defining period. Security, inequality, low productivity, technological disruption, energy, institutional weakness and political polarization are converging at the same time.

From her experience in Colombian politics and public policy, Paloma Valencia explores the decisions the region must make to generate growth and opportunity while strengthening democratic institutions. She offers international and corporate audiences an insider’s perspective on Colombia and the broader political, economic and social forces reshaping Latin America.

Breaking the Ceiling: Women, Leadership and Power

What does it take for women not simply to participate, but to compete for the highest positions of leadership?

Drawing on her own journey through politics and a presidential campaign, Paloma Valencia discusses ambition, courage, stereotypes, public scrutiny and the expectations placed on women in positions of authority. Her message goes beyond politics to examine how organizations and societies can create environments in which female talent can lead, compete and succeed without being forced into predetermined models of leadership.

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