Erika MOUYNES

Bio

Erika Mouynes is a seasoned geopolitical strategist, Wall Street veteran, and influential Latin American leader, whose distinguished career spans senior governmental roles, executive leadership in finance, and extensive legal expertise. Mrs. Mouynes notably served as the 62nd Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, becoming one of the few female leaders in Latin America to achieve such a senior governmental position. She also previously served as Chief of Staff for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, where she led negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Before entering public service, Mrs. Mouynes spent nearly two decades on Wall Street as a C-suite executive, overseeing business and legal operations for a multi-billion-dollar investment firm. Her expertise in financial markets, corporate strategy, and complex negotiations has established her as a trusted advisor to global CEOs, institutional investors, and policymakers. Earlier in her career, she practiced as a senior attorney at the global law firm Shearman & Sterling, specializing in cross-border transactions for Fortune 500 companies and sovereign entities. She continues to shape global discussions on trade, security, and governance through her role on the Advisory Board of the Atlantic Council’s Latin America Center and her involvement with prominent think tanks and policy institutes. In academia, Mrs. Mouynes holds two senior fellowships at Harvard University, where she produces influential research. Her publication in the Harvard Business Review on navigating political risk provides critical insights for multinational corporations and investors operating in today's volatile geopolitical environment. Widely recognized thought leader, Mrs. Mouynes frequently contributes expert commentary to international media outlets such as CNN, Bloomberg, and the BBC, and her writing regularly appears in leading publications including Foreign Policy and the Financial Times. A Fulbright Scholar with postgraduate degrees in law and finance, Mrs. Mouynes holds master's degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and New York University.