Cristina Umani

Biography

Cristina Umani is the Global COO of the Latin American Leadership Academy (LALA), where she drives strategy, governance, and operational excellence to scale impact. With 15 years of global leadership experience in both corporate and third-sector organizations, she has led transformational change, stakeholder engagement, and leadership development worldwide. Having focused deeply on Latin America in the past years, Cristina is committed to bridging knowledge, networks, and best practices between regions, fostering cross-border collaboration. Previously, she held leadership roles at BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, European Venture Philanthropy Association, and BMW Financial Services. A strategic thinker and systems leader, she is dedicated to shaping purpose-driven organizations for sustainable impact and empowering the next generation of changemakers.