Isabel de Saint Malo

Biography

Isabel de Saint Malo is a global leader in governance, sustainability, and multilateralism, recognized for advancing transparency and resilience in international institutions. She served as Vice President and Foreign Minister of Panama (2014–2019), becoming the first woman to hold both roles. During her tenure, she advanced transparency, social inclusion, and international cooperation. Her career spans government, multilateral organizations, and the private sector, with a focus on strategic policy and stakeholder engagement. Isabel currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the IFRS Foundation, which develops global accounting and sustainability disclosure standards to enhance transparency and comparability across markets. She sits on the Board of Mercantil Servicios Financieros Internacionales, a multinational financial organization. She acts as Advisor to the United Nations Development Program and Vice Chair of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, championing inclusive, accountable governance to accelerate progress, sustainability and resilience in the digital economy. A Harvard University and Aspen Institute Fellow, she has been recognized by Forbes, the Truman Institute, and Americas Society, reflecting her impact on peacebuilding and women’s empowerment. She contributes to several international networks, including the Global Women Leaders (GWL), Americas Quarterly Editorial Board, the Inter-American Dialogue, and Women Political Leaders Global Forum (WPL). She has led multiple Electoral Observation Missions for the Organization of American States, reinforcing democratic processes across Latin America.