María Fernanda Espinosa

While Espinosa may not have a shelf full of trophies, her career is defined by historic firsts. She became the first Latin American woman to preside over the UN General Assembly, a breakthrough that resonated across the region. Her two terms as foreign minister and her tenure as defense minister placed her at the center of Ecuador's most consequential policy decisions.Her 2026 campaign for UN Secretary-General, though ultimately unsuccessful, brought attention to the need for institutional reform. She used her platform to push for gender parity in global leadership, a cause she continues to champion through GWL Voices.