Government officials from El Salvador visited with Dean Dipak C. Jain during his trip to the country in September. From left, Ramon Miro ’97; Patricia Figueroa, foreign investment director of El Salvador; student Carlos Urias; Dean Dipak C. Jain; Ana Vilma de Escobar, vice president of El Salvador; Yolanda de Gavidia, minister of economy; Luis Cardenal, minister of tourism; Eduardo Zablah Touche, chief of staff of El Salvador; and student Alejandro Poma.

Central America

The Kellogg Alumni Club of Central America is looking for new leadership. Interested? Call the alumni office at 847.467.ALUM or email kellogg-alumni@northwestern.edu.

Rebranding El Salvador: In keeping with his vision to globalize the Kellogg School’s presence, contribute to emerging markets and establish closer ties with Latin America, Dean Dipak C. Jain visited El Salvador in early September. El Salvador is one of Central America’s most notable countries. Even though it endured a 12-year civil war, it is now a democratic and dynamic place. According to the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom, El Salvador has the second most open economy in Latin America. The country possesses one of the most stable economies in the region and, at the same time, it is one of only three Latin American countries whose debt is rated investment grade. However, El Salvador cannot rest on its laurels, as its image still carries some negative baggage from its violent past.

As Central America prepares for a free-trade agreement with the United States, El Salvador faces a new challenge: changing its image from a politically unstable, war-stricken country to one of stability with business growth potential, in part to attract foreign investments. To further this goal, three of Kellogg’s own, students Carlos Urias and Alejandro Poma, along with Ramon Miro '97, spearheaded the first official visit of the dean of the Kellogg School of Management to this country. During his visit, Dean Jain met with a number of key government officials and business leaders and discussed the possibility of future collaborations. If carried out, these collaborations could increase the school’s presence in Latin America, a key objective for the Miami program, as well as offer El Salvador a chance to re-invent its country brand. The visit culminated with a presentation entitled “Branding a Region.” Business executives, government officials and alumni from El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala attended the event.