María Ortiz Pérez is a seasoned executive with over two decades of leadership experience spanning international organizations, think tanks and the private sectors. She has built a reputation for advancing large-scale initiatives with diplomatic and political acumen, that unite governments, corporations, and civil society to address pressing global societal challenges.
She currently serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Initiatives at the Aspen Institute’s Center for Leadership, where she oversees strategic planning, operations, and partnerships. Prior, she was Managing Director of the Institute’s Energy & Environment Program, where she secured significant corporate and philanthropic support, launched global initiatives that convene international thought leaders and decision makers, and designed innovative management practices to foster talent growth and organizational alignment.
Prior to Aspen, Ms. Ortiz Pérez spent over a decade with the United Nations, where she rose to the role of Deputy Chief of Staff at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. She managed operations for a 500-person, multi-country organization, advised senior officials on UN system reform, and spearheaded initiatives that deepened regional collaboration on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Earlier, she led conflict-related projects in the Middle East, including managing a multimillion-dollar project in Iraq and convening high-level officials to reflect on democratic transition following the Arab uprisings.
Her career began in economic development and public policy, including leadership roles at the Pioneer Institute in Boston and the City of Somerville, Massachusetts. She also worked in the private sector for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH), helping open the Mexican subsidiary.
Ms. Ortiz Pérez earned her Master’s in Public Administration from Suffolk University, graduating as Valedictorian, and holds a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard Kennedy School.