Posted on March 30, 2026
For four days, Panama became the meeting point for a new generation of leaders in the Latin American maritime and port sector. The fourth edition of the LIFE Program – Women’s Leadership for the Maritime and Port Sector , promoted by PR PORTS and Multimodal, brought together 58 women from 16 countries , who participated in an intensive program of training, professional exchange, and networking within the industry.
More than a training program, LIFE has established itself as a regional leadership platform , designed to strengthen the professional capabilities of women who currently hold or aspire to hold strategic positions within the maritime, port and logistics ecosystem.
The academic agenda addressed some of the key competencies that leadership in the industry demands today.
The main topics highlighted included emotional intelligence, adaptive leadership, strategic thinking, managerial management, influential leadership, and executive communication , with the participation of renowned international specialists.
The opening of the program was marked by the welcome cocktail and the presentation of the LIFE Seal, an award recognizing organizations that actively promote female participation in the industry.
During the academic session, prominent figures shared leadership tools and experiences:
- Beatriz Tórrez Ticona , CEO of Elemental Logistics, addressed the role of emotional intelligence in adaptive leadership.
- Margaret Rose Grigsby , professor at INCAE Business School, delved into strategic thinking, managerial management, and influential leadership.
- Cibeles de Freitas , an international speaker, worked on executive personal brand building and strategic communication.
One of the highlights was the intervention of Antonio Domínguez , President for Latin America of AP Moller Maersk, who shared the senior management’s vision on diversity, talent and competitiveness in global shipping .
The program also included technical visits to strategic facilities of the Panamanian port system , allowing participants to experience world-class operations firsthand.
Among them was the tour of the SSA Marine MIT terminal in Colón , where Commercial Vice President Natalia Varón Perea shared a human perspective and her experiences on leadership and commercial management in global port operations.
The agenda continued with a visit to the Panama Canal , including the Agua Clara Locks and the Gatun Lookout , an experience that allowed us to appreciate the magnitude and strategic impact of this infrastructure for international trade.
According to Zulma Dinelli, President & CEO of PR PORTS, “Each edition of the LIFE Program confirms something we have been clearly seeing throughout the region: female leadership is no longer a promise, it is a reality that is transforming the maritime-port sector.
LIFE is now a regional platform where women not only receive training, but also connect, empower themselves, and build networks that directly impact the future of our industry. At PR PORTS, we deeply believe in creating these spaces, because we know that when leadership grows within a community, the transformation becomes irreversible.”
Female leadership with real impact
The final day was dedicated to analyzing female leadership models that are generating real opportunities within the industry .
The panel brought together international experts such as:
- Clara La Calle López-Gay , Secretary General of State Ports (Spain)
- Carla Ramírez , Head of Corporate Affairs & Legal at APM Terminals Guatemala
- Marlitt Lemus Valenzuela , advisor to the National Port Company Santo Tomás de Castilla.
Within the framework of the LIFE 2026 Program, the Ellas Inspiran (They Inspire) series once again established itself as a space for close and transformative dialogue among women leaders in the maritime-port sector of Latin America, represented by:
- Iliana Fernandez , President of INER Consultores, SA – Venezuela
- Angelina F Cavalli , Head of Infrastructure & Engineering – Portonave – TIL – Brazil
- Iliana Gonzalez , Executive Director of ASOTEP – Ecuador
- Javiera Ruiz-Tagle González , Head of Commercial – SAAM TOWAGE – Mexico
During the webinar, real leadership experiences, career lessons learned, challenges faced in traditionally male-dominated environments, and concrete strategies for building professional paths with purpose, resilience, and a regional vision were shared.
LIFE is much more than a training program: it’s an experience that strengthens confidence, broadens perspectives, and creates bonds that support women throughout their professional careers. Seeing how this community continues to grow throughout Latin America confirms that we are building a space where each participant can discover her potential and, at the same time, pave the way for other women in the industry,” says Elvia Bustavino, Partner at Multimodal
As a grand finale, and one of the most emotional moments was the “Inspiring Trajectories” space , in which the renowned sector leader Carlos Urriola shared reflections on leadership, experience and commitment to the development of new generations in the industry.
The certificate presentation ceremony and closing luncheon marked the end of an edition that once again demonstrated that female leadership is no longer a future aspiration, but a growing reality within the Latin American maritime-port industry .
