As of 1 January 2026, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, former President of Costa Rica (2010–2014), has assumed the Presidency of Club de Madrid, following the successful completion of Danilo Türk’s terms as President.
Elected by the General Assembly of Club de Madrid, President Chinchilla brings to the role an outstanding record of democratic leadership, public service, and international engagement. A political scientist with a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University, she previously served as Minister of Justice under President Óscar Arias and made history as the first woman elected President of Costa Rica.
During her presidency, she championed citizen security and police reform, open and digital government, women’s rights and childcare programmes, and ambitious environmental sustainability policies, gaining international recognition for her leadership in marine biodiversity conservation.
President Chinchilla has extensive experience working with international and multilateral institutions, including UNDP, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), USAID, and the Inter-American Dialogue. She is also a member of the International Olympic Committee and has held academic appointments at institutions such as Georgetown University, Cornell University, Universidade de São Paulo, and Tecnológico de Monterrey.
Within Club de Madrid, she has played a key leadership role over the years, serving as Vice-President from 2018 to 2023 and as a member of the Board of Directors from 2024 to 2025, contributing significantly to the organisation’s governance and strategic direction.
Upon assuming the Presidency, Laura Chinchilla expressed a profound sense of responsibility and pride in the organisation’s distinguished trajectory, reaffirming her commitment to lead with conviction and loyalty to the democratic values of freedom, social justice, and peaceful coexistence.
With President Chinchilla’s leadership, Club de Madrid enters a new chapter, renewing its commitment to strengthening inclusive democratic practice and improving the wellbeing of citizens worldwide, through dialogue, peer-to-peer support, and cooperation with partners across regions and institutions.
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