Méndez Chiari (‘10) Pursues his Passion for Public Affairs

Upon graduation from SLU-Madrid, political science major Ernesto Méndez Chiari (’10) returned to his home country of Panama to work for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, where he quickly ascended through the ranks until reaching the position of chief of staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

There he was directly involved in the negotiation process for 32 international diplomatic treaties and he wrote over 200 speeches for the president, first lady and various ministry officials.

Outside of the office, he volunteered at Casa Esperanza, a center dedicated to combating child labor exploitation through education and health care. He is also involved in initiatives with the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community.

After four years in the public sector, Méndez Chiari transitioned to a position as project management consultant for the NGO, Sumarse, Panama’s local hub for the United Nations Global Compact. As the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, the UN Global Compact offers a principle-based business framework for the implementation of universal sustainability principles and socially responsible policies.

Driven to further his education, he returned to Madrid to study for his MBA at IE Business School. Currently, he is studying for a Master of Advanced Management at the Yale University School of Management in the United States.

Méndez Chiari said he chose to complete his undergraduate education at SLU-Madrid because he was eager to learn more about the intersection of business and society in Europe. His worldview already drew from experience on SLU’s campus in the United States, his study abroad experience in Beijing and his Latin American background.

“My goal after graduation [from Yale University School of Management] is to work as a communications and strategy consultant, where I can exploit my passion for public affairs while adding value to society through the private sector,” he said.