Laura Chinchilla was elected the first female President of the Republic of Costa Rica on February 7, 2010, for a constitutional term of four years. Previously, she served as minister of public security (1996-1998), congresswoman (2002-2006), minister of justice (2006-2008), and vice president (2006-2008).
During her political career, President Chinchilla prompted police and justice reform measures to tackle crime and violence, digital and open government, the promotion of women’s rights, and early childhood protection. She also promoted environmental sustainability policies, especially on preserving marine biodiversity, for which she was distinguished with international awards.
President Chinchilla has worked as a consultant with various international organisations, such as: the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She has been part of the advisory boards of the UNDP’s Human Development Report and the Global Happiness Report. President Chinchilla is also a board member of the International Olympic Committee, the World Leadership Alliance – Club de Madrid, the Inter-American Dialogue, the Concordia Summit, and the Euro-America Foundation. She has headed various Electoral Observation Missions in the Americas and chaired the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age. She has taught at the Institute of Politics and Public Policy of Georgetown University (USA), the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey (México), and the Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil).
President Chinchilla holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the Universidad de Costa Rica. She holds honorary doctorates from the University for Peace of the United Nations, Georgetown University, and Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. President Chinchilla is a visiting professor at the Government School at the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, where she is leading the Latin America Class on Democracy and Citizenship.