{"id":38860,"date":"2026-07-24T16:36:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T21:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fulbright.edu.co\/historic-edition-of-the-fulbright-excellence-award\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T16:43:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T21:43:13","slug":"historic-edition-of-the-fulbright-excellence-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fulbright.edu.co\/en\/historic-edition-of-the-fulbright-excellence-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Historic Edition of the Fulbright Excellence Award"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Fulbright Commission Colombia\u2019s annual gala, \u201cA Night Full of Bright,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> held at the U.S. Embassy Residence, served as the setting for an institutional milestone: the presentation of the 2026 Fulbright Excellence Awards.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Conoce AQU\u00cd<\/a><\/strong> la galer\u00eda de fotos de la gala<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Since its inception in 2007, this award has been the highest honor bestowed annually by the Commission on former Colombian scholarship recipients for their exceptional careers, academic rigor, and contributions to the country\u2019s development. After having honored former presidents, ministers, and high-ranking government officials in previous years, this year\u2019s ceremony changed its traditional format\u2014which had awarded a single distinction per year\u2014to present five awards in strategic areas,<\/strong> reflecting the diversity and depth of the impact of our Fulbright Alumni <\/em>network. <\/p>\n\n

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Stewart Tuttle, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, introduced the Fulbright Excellence Awards<\/h6>\n\n

Five perspectives, one shared goal of transformation<\/h3>\n\n

This historic edition reaffirms the philosophy of our manifesto: \u201cWe are full of people meant to build a brighter future.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>The 2026 honorees embody the essence of the Outbound<\/strong> programs: brilliant minds who took Colombian talent to the United States and returned home to lead lasting cultural, scientific, business, and social change. <\/p>\n\n

The award was presented in the following five strategic categories:<\/p>\n\n

\ud83c\udf96\ufe0fEn la categor\u00eda Cultural and Artistic Advocacy<\/em>: Leila Cobo, <\/strong>Chief Content Officer, en Billboard.<\/p>\n\n

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\ud83c\udf96\ufe0fIn the Social and Territorial Development <\/em>category: Natalia Ocampo D\u00edaz,<\/strong> Head of Sustainability at Crepes & Waffles. <\/p>\n\n

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\ud83c\udf96\ufe0fIn the Governance and Democracy<\/em> category: Juanita Goebertus Estrada<\/strong>, Director of the Americas Division at Human Rights Watch.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83c\udf96\ufe0fIn the Innovation in Education <\/em>category: Juliana Salazar Borda,<\/strong> Principal of the Buckingham School.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83c\udf96\ufe0fIn the Transformative Business Leadershi<\/em>p category: Juan Carlos Mora Uribe<\/strong>, President of Bancolombia. <\/p>\n\n

A Legacy of Lasting Connections<\/h3>\n\n

Our Fulbright Excellence Award<\/em> not only honors individual achievements but also highlights the social return on investment that educational exchanges represent. By linking academic excellence to Colombia\u2019s most pressing challenges, our former fellows demonstrate that science diplomacy is a driving force for ongoing transformation. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cThis year is very special for us, because we are celebrating 250 years of U.S. independence, and we have yet another reason to celebrate: five former Fulbright scholars are being honored with the Fulbright Award for Excellence in various categories for their leadership and outstanding contributions in areas critical to strengthening knowledge networks between our countries,\u201d <\/em>said Hugo Guevara, Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires at the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Bogot\u00e1.<\/p>\n\n

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STORIES OF EXCELLENCE: MEET THE 5 WINNERS<\/h3>\n\n
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