Where regional leaders align, learn and grow together
Leadership Summit is a flagship gathering that brings together the Executive Directors and Board Presidents of every country in the JA Americas network. In some sessions it also convenes the regional Board of Directors as part of its governance role.
Overview
An annual convening of the JA Americas leadership community: Executive Directors, Board Presidents and Board members shaping the direction of the regional network.
Purpose
Align knowledge of the regional strategy and its objectives, foster ownership of its scope, and build the professional and leadership skills that power our network.
Outcomes
Networking that lasts, trust that compounds, and shared insights on the topics shaping the future of education and impact across the Americas.
Three pillars to thrive together
A focused agenda built around the conversations that matter most for our region's next chapter.
Intelligent Growth
Intentional, data-driven growth focused on impact. How to optimize resources and integrate AI and digital tools to increase reach, efficiency and quality.
Purposeful Leadership
Leaders who can make tough decisions, integrate technology without losing sight of the human touch, and build teams that are ready for the future.
Resilient Impact
How to ensure sustainable impact in a more demanding and competitive financial environment, through innovative fundraising, diversification and strong risk management.
Three days,
one shared direction.
The Summit begins on Tuesday, September 22 at 9:00 AM and concludes on Thursday, September 24 at 4:00 PM. Explore the full three-day schedule below.
Day 1 — Tuesday, September 22
Hotel departure
Arrival / Check-in & breakfast
Opening
Noël Zemborain & Sean Summers
OpeningRelational Intelligence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
César Bernhardt
Coffee Break
The Skills of Tomorrow, Starting Today
Eugenia Schettini
Building Connections, Sharing Experiences
Mariano Ulanovsky
Board Chairs Session
Gary Kalaci
Lunch
JA Americas Board Meeting
Coffee Break
Panel: The Future of Education & Entrepreneurship
Carlos Torrendell · Hernán Carboni · Rodrigo Teijeiro · Alumni
PanelCocktail reception & awards ceremony
EveningDay 1 closing — return to hotel
Day 2 — Wednesday, September 23
Hotel departure
Breakfast
Sustainable Growth: From Data to Strategic Priorities
Adnan Bokhari · Itatí Cabral
Coffee Break
Beyond Impact Measurement
Itatí Cabral
Lunch
Fundraising in the Region: From Trends to Donor Engagement
Juan Lapetini
Storytelling Applied to Fund Development
Mariana Jasper
Day 2 closing — return to hotel
Hotel departure for dinner
Dinner & Cultural Experience
EveningDay 2 closing — return to hotel
Day 3 — Thursday, September 24
Hotel departure
Breakfast
From Fundraiser to Fundraiser
Sam Alpert
Fundraising Best Practices
Coffee Break
AI for Greater Impact: Where to Focus and How to Get Started
Francisco Santolo
Lunch
AI for Greater Impact: Where to Focus and How to Get Started
Francisco Santolo
Coffee Break
Reflect, Connect & Take Forward
Mariano Ulanovsky
ClosingDay 3 closing — return to hotel
An extra JA experience in Buenos Aires
If you happen to be in Buenos Aires over the weekend, you are also warmly invited to visit the JA Argentina – The Company Program Entrepreneurs Fair. From Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27, students participating in the program will showcase their products at Abasto Shopping, one of Buenos Aires' most well-known shopping centers. It's a great opportunity to see our students' entrepreneurial spirit in action and connect with the impact of JA in Argentina.
Dates
Friday, September 25 – Sunday, September 27, 2026
Venue
Abasto Shopping – Food Court
Av. Corrientes 3247, Buenos Aires
Hours
Friday 3:00–7:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 11:00 am–7:00 pm
The voices shaping our conversations
Leaders, entrepreneurs and experts from across the region and beyond, sharing the ideas that will define our next chapter.
César Bernhardt
Managing Partner, Rindo · High-performance psychologist
Psychologist from Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, specialized in high-performance psychology across sports and organizational settings. Managing Partner at Rindo and former national-team basketball player.
Eugenia Schettini
Co-founder, Re-Skilling AI · Neuroscientist & entrepreneur
Psychologist, entrepreneur and PhD candidate in Neuroscience. After 18 years in talent consulting and a stint at Blackbox in Silicon Valley — Google's program for founders worldwide — she co-founded Re-Skilling AI, a platform that measures human potential by combining neuroscience and artificial intelligence, operating across LATAM and entering the North American market. Her PhD explores the intersection of brain, motivation and AI, with a focus on neurodivergence.
Mariano Ulanovsky
Founder & Partner, SKEYLLS / Skills 4 Life
Founder and Partner at SKEYLLS and Skills 4 Life. Former Education Director at JA Argentina, where he worked for ten years. Career development coach for the Executive MBA at Universidad de San Andrés.
Carlos Torrendell
Secretary of Education of Argentina
Secretary of Education of Argentina at the Ministry of Human Capital. Professor of Education Policy and History of Argentine Education at Universidad Católica Argentina, where he has taught since 1996.
Hernán Carboni
Director of Institutional Relations, BBVA Argentina
Director of Institutional Relations at BBVA Argentina since 2019. Previously held the same position at Walmart for thirteen years and served as Head of Public Affairs at Grupo Clarín.
Rodrigo Teijeiro
Founder & CEO, RecargaPay · Board Member, JA Americas
Founder & CEO of RecargaPay, democratizing mobile payments and financial services in Brazil. Founder of Sonico, a social network with 53 million users. WEF Young Global Leader and Board Member of JA Americas.
Gary Kalaci
Founder & CEO, Apertera (formerly Alexa Translations)
Founder and CEO of Apertera — formerly Alexa Translations — an AI language platform for legal, financial and regulated organizations, which he started in 2002. Lawyer and former court interpreter; volunteered with UNICEF during the Kosovo crisis.
Adnan Bokhari
Global Chief Financial Officer, JA Worldwide
Global Chief Financial Officer at JA Worldwide, building financial resiliency and operational excellence in nonprofit organizations. Previously CFO and COO at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and Prosperity Now.
Itatí Cabral
Education & Impact Director, JA Americas
Education & Impact Director at JA Americas, with over 15 years of experience in the social sector. Previously, she held leadership roles at Junior Achievement Argentina and Argentina's National Ministry of Education. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Buenos Aires and a Postgraduate Specialization in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Andrés.
Juan Lapetini
Regional Director of Alliances, Donar Online
Regional Director of Alliances and Institutional Relations at Donar Online, with over 20 years in resource mobilization. Teaches fundraising and nonprofit management at Universidad de San Andrés.
Mariana Jasper
Co-founder & VP, Alurralde, Jasper + Associates
Communication specialist in strategy, sustainability and storytelling. Co-founder and VP of Alurralde, Jasper + Associates, serving companies, NGOs and public organizations. Board member of TEDxRíodelaPlata.
Sam Alpert
CEO, BearFruit · Global Development Consultant, JA Worldwide
CEO of BearFruit and Global Development Consultant for JA Worldwide. Twenty-five years as a fundraiser, writer and marketing executive, including Chief Development Officer at Junior Achievement of Arizona.
Francisco Santolo
Founder & CEO, Scalabl°
Founder & CEO of Scalabl°, leading corporate transformation and AI adoption for organizations across more than 50 countries. Executive education at Harvard, Stanford and MIT; two-time TEDx speaker.
Mercado Libre Corporate Offices
A world-class workspace hosting our regional gathering. A space that reflects the spirit of innovation and intentional growth that defines this Summit.
Address
Posta 4789, C1430EKH, Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires
Dazzler Buenos Aires Palermo
An urban-style hotel in the heart of Palermo Hollywood, one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. Located near the city's main attractions, with personalized service and an excellent location.
Surrounded by restaurants, bars and shopping centers, with easy access to downtown and all forms of public transportation. Palermo Hollywood is known for its diverse culinary scene of cafés, restaurants, bars, wine bars and breweries, and a lively atmosphere chosen by locals and visitors alike.
Address
Humboldt 1650 (C1414)
Buenos Aires City, Argentina
Check-in / Check-out
15:00 / 12:00
Room rate
$147 USD / room / night
Single or double room (excluding taxes). Breakfast included. To make a reservation, please write to reservas@dazzlerpalermo.com indicating “JA Americas” as the reference. Rooms can be booked at this preferential rate until June 30th. After that date, the hotel cannot guarantee availability.
Participation Fee
Per person
Includes all meals, materials, transportation and a cultural experience. Airfare, accommodation and ground transportation are not included.
Getting to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is served by Ezeiza International Airport, located about 30 km from the city center. Several convenient options will get you to your hotel.
Taxi or Private Transfer
The most recommended option, with direct door-to-door service. Travel time is typically 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. Use official taxi counters inside the airport or pre-book a transfer.
Ride-Hailing Apps
Services like Uber and Cabify are available and offer a practical alternative, though pick-up arrangements may vary at the airport.
Shuttle Services
Shared shuttle buses (such as Tienda León) provide a comfortable and more affordable option, with regular departures to central locations in the city.
Top Attractions in Buenos Aires
A vibrant mix of culture, history and architecture, from cobblestone streets in San Telmo to colorful tango heritage in La Boca.
La Boca
Colorful streets and the home of tango heritage.
Recoleta Cemetery
An architectural landmark and resting place of historical figures.
Palermo
Expansive parks, trendy cafés and boutiques.
San Telmo
Cobblestone streets, antique shops and weekend markets.
Teatro Colón
One of the world's most renowned opera houses.
Plaza de Mayo
The political and historical heart of the city, surrounded by iconic buildings.
Everything you need to know before traveling
Currency
Argentinian Peso (ARS). Approx. 1 USD = 1,415 ARS. Rates fluctuate, so check before converting. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are available in USD and ARS.
Languages
Spanish is the main language, but English speakers are common in tourist areas, hotels and venues.
Climate
September is early spring. Mild and pleasant, with temperatures between 12°C (54°F) and 20°C (68°F). Sunny most days, with occasional light rain. Pack a light jacket and umbrella.
Dress Code
Business casual for working sessions. Smart casual for dinners and networking events.
Safety
Buenos Aires is a safe city, but as in any big city stay aware of your belongings and avoid displaying valuable items in public.
City Map
Open the curated map of Buenos Aires with venue, hotel and key attractions.
Contact
Questions? Write to Silvina@jaamericas.org
Tourism Board
Visit the official Buenos Aires Tourism Board for more information.
Plan ahead, explore the city
Questions about the Summit?
For any inquiries, our team is happy to help. Reach out and we'll get back to you.
Silvina@jaamericas.org