Washington, D.C. — The Stimson Center is pleased to welcome Roberto Álvarez, Roque Benavides, and Iván Ontaneda to the Advisory Board of its Latin America Program. Together, they bring decades of leadership across diplomacy, democratic governance, international trade, agriculture, mining, and economic development. Their expertise will help advance the Program’s mission to develop pragmatic ideas that strengthen U.S.–Latin America relations and address public policy challenges across the region.

“I’m honored to count Roberto, Roque, and Iván as members of our team,” Dr. Benjamin N. Gedan, Senior Fellow and Director of the Latin America Program, said. “They exemplify our commitment to bringing together leaders with public service and private sector experience at the highest level to strengthen governance and catalyze economic growth.”

“Roberto Álvarez, Roque Benavides, and Iván Ontaneda bring an extraordinary depth of experience across government, business, and diplomacy at a time that Latin America is navigating a period of profound political and economic change,” said Rachel Stohl, Acting President & CEO, the Stimson Center. “Their perspectives will be a tremendous asset to the Latin America Program as it continues to expand its work on the political and economic challenges shaping the region and U.S.–Latin America relations.

Roberto Álvarez served as Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic for six years, until August 2026. He has more than five decades of experience in diplomacy, human rights, and institutional strengthening. He previously served as Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States, a senior specialist at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and a consultant at the Inter-American Development Bank. He is an expert on democratic governance, regional security, and U.S.–Latin America relations.

Roque Benavides is a Peruvian business leader and civil engineer, and a thought leader in Peru’s world-famous mining sector. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura, where he previously served as CEO. He is an expert in economic growth, competitiveness, and sustainable development.

Iván Ontaneda isan Ecuadorian business leader and agro-industrial entrepreneur, with extensive experience in the cocoa and coffee sectors, international trade, and economic development. He has served as president of the National Association of Cacao Exporters of Ecuador (ANECACAO) and previously served as Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries. He is an expert in economic competitiveness, agricultural development, and trade, and an industry leader in promoting Ecuador’s international economic engagement and sustainable agricultural practices.

Learn more about the Latin America Program Advisory Board.

The Stimson Center’s Latin America Program Advisory Board brings together leaders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to support the Program’s research agenda and foster dialogue on regional security, democracy, economic development, and transnational challenges.

About the Latin America Program The Stimson Center’s Latin America Program works on the most pressing challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean. By engaging government officials, civil society and private sector leaders, and regional experts, it produces ideas and analyses that translate into concrete actions to strengthen democratic governance, improve regional security, promote sustainable development, and deepen relations between the United States and the countries of the hemisphere.

About the Stimson Center

The Stimson Center promotes international security and shared prosperity through applied research and independent analysis, global engagement, and policy innovation.

For three decades, Stimson has been a leading voice on urgent global issues. Founded in the twilight years of the Cold War, the Stimson Center pioneered practical new steps toward stability and security in an uncertain world. Today, as changes in power and technology usher in a challenging new era, Stimson is at the forefront: Engaging new voices, generating innovative ideas and analysis, and building solutions to promote international security, prosperity, and justice.

Download the full press release in Spanish here.

More at www.stimson.org.