Gustavo Carvajal

Gustavo Carvajal serves as an International Expert Partner at Lansberg Gersick Advisors (LGA) and holds a professorial position in the executive-education program "Governance & Continuity in Family Business" at Universidad ICESI in Cali, Colombia. With extensive experience spanning over 30 years in family enterprises across Latin America, he specializes in complex corporate governance matters and board development for family businesses.

His academic background includes a BA in Economics and Political Science from Adelphi University and an MBA from Babson College, supplemented by executive courses at Stanford, Harvard, and Northwestern Universities. This strong educational foundation supports his practical work with family enterprises throughout the region.

Carvajal's research and professional interests center on developing effective governance structures for multi-generational family businesses. His expertise includes designing Family Governance Systems, establishing Family Councils, and creating successful Family Offices that balance family dynamics with business objectives. He has developed frameworks for board effectiveness specifically tailored to the unique challenges of family-controlled enterprises.

As an active practitioner, Carvajal frequently speaks at prominent organizations including FBN, Owners Council, IDB-Invest, and TEC Monterrey. His insights bridge academic theory with real-world application in family business contexts across Latin America.

His professional leadership extends beyond academia to significant board roles. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of CARVAJAL S.A. (where he previously served as Chairman for six years), chairs the CARVAJAL Foundation, and sits on the boards of ICESI University and BOLIVAR Group in Colombia.

Carvajal's international experience includes serving as Ambassador of Colombia to France and UNESCO in Paris, where he played a pivotal role in Colombia's accession process to the OECD. He also served concurrently as Ambassador to Monaco and Algeria, bringing global perspective to his work with family enterprises.

• Partner at Lansberg Gersick Advisors (LGA)
• Professor, Executive Education Program, Universidad ICESI
• Board Director, CARVAJAL S.A.
• Chairman, CARVAJAL Foundation
• Board Member, ICESI University
• Former Ambassador of Colombia to France, UNESCO, Monaco, and Algeria