Juan Carlos Echeverry stands as one of Colombia’s most distinguished economists and policy makers, with a career marked by pivotal roles in both the central bank and government. Renowned as a leading keynote and event speaker, Echeverry has significantly shaped Colombia’s investment landscape through influential legislation and policy initiatives. During his tenure as Finance Minister from 2010 to 2012, he earned international acclaim, repeatedly recognised by global media, including AméricaEconomía, Emerging Markets, and Financial Times as the best in his field across Latin America and the Americas.
With expertise in economics and leadership, Echeverry recently concluded his role as President and CEO of Ecopetrol, where he successfully navigated the company through challenging periods by enhancing cost efficiencies, boosting production and reserves (notably in partnership with Pemex), and establishing a regulatory framework for unconventional energy sources. During his earlier stint as Minister of Economic Planning (2000-2002), he initiated Colombia’s fiscal restructuring plan and championed critical reforms in the National Congress.
Echeverry’s extensive experience includes roles as Director of Macroeconomics and Inflation at Colombia’s central bank, where he developed the influential “Quarterly Inflation Report”. His tenure in influential positions like Director of National Planning and Dean of the School of Economics at Universidad de los Andes underscores his profound impact on economic policy and education. He has also been a consultant to the Inter-American Development Bank and served on numerous high-profile boards including the National Federation of Coffee Growers and Ecopetrol.
As an accomplished author, Echeverry has penned works such as the novel, En Sitios Más Oscuros and Un Año de Soledad: Crónicas y Lecciones de un Político Primíparo, drawing from his experiences in Colombia’s presidential campaign.
A founding partner of EConcept, a leading economic consulting firm, Echeverry is also an expert in public policy and crisis management. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Economics from New York University and a B.A. in Economics from Universidad de Los Andes, coupled with a philosophical grounding from Universidad Complutense in Madrid.
