Santiago Castro

Santiago Castro graduated from the Colombian Military School of Aviation in June 1993. This prestigious institution laid the foundation for his career in aviation and public service. His education provided him with extensive knowledge of aeronautics, which he later applied in various leadership roles in the aviation industry. Castro's academic and military training were instrumental in shaping his approach to aviation regulation and policy development.

Santiago Castro was elected as a congressman to the Colombian Congress in 1998, serving as a key figure in shaping legislation and policy around economic and aviation issues. During his tenure, Castro was involved in drafting and supporting key legislative reforms aimed at bolstering Colombia's economic infrastructure and enhancing the aviation sector's regulatory framework. His contributions were pivotal in aligning national policies with international standards.

In 2001, Santiago Castro was appointed as the Director General of Civil Aeronautics in Colombia, a position he held until 2005. During his tenure, he was responsible for overseeing the regulation and safety of civil aviation in Colombia. He implemented significant reforms that improved the efficiency and safety standards of air travel within the country. His leadership was marked by efforts to modernize infrastructure and adopt international aviation standards.

As Director General of Civil Aeronautics, Santiago Castro initiated several aviation safety programs in 2005. These programs aimed to improve pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and emergency response protocols. Castro's initiatives helped elevate Colombia's aviation safety rankings internationally, ensuring passenger and aircraft safety across the nation's airlines. His contributions were recognized by international aviation bodies for significantly lowering the incident rate in Colombian airspace.

Santiago Castro was appointed as the President of Asobancaria, the Colombian Banking Association, beginning his term in January 2010. In this role, he represented the interests of Colombia's banking sector, working with governmental and international financial institutions to promote policies that benefited economic growth and financial stability. Castro's leadership was instrumental in navigating the banking sector through challenging economic periods, advocating for regulatory improvements, and increasing access to financial services for underserved populations.

In June 2014, Santiago Castro was elected as the Regional Vice-President for the Americas of FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations. In this capacity, Castro played a pivotal role in representing the interests of the Americas in global discussions on freight and logistics. He advocated for better trade facilitation and logistics processes, particularly stressing the need for modernizing customs procedures and improving infrastructure to boost trade efficiency across the continent.

In October 2016, Santiago Castro delivered a keynote speech at the Latin American Banking Conference in which he emphasized the importance of financial inclusion. During his address, Castro highlighted the role of banks in facilitating access to financial services for unbanked and underbanked populations across Latin America. His advocacy focused on adopting new technologies, such as mobile banking, to reach remote and underserved communities, aiming to lift people out of poverty and integrate them into the formal financial system.

In March 2018, under Santiago Castro's leadership, Asobancaria launched a digital banking initiative aimed at transforming Colombia's financial landscape. The initiative focused on promoting the adoption of digital banking technologies among Colombian banks and financial institutions. Castro championed the cause to enhance digital transactions' security and accessibility, ensuring that Colombian citizens could safely and efficiently manage their finances online. This initiative was a pivotal move toward modernizing the country's banking system.

In November 2019, Santiago Castro was awarded national recognition for his leadership in the banking sector in Colombia. During his tenure as President of Asobancaria, he was credited with significant advancements in financial technology, regulatory governance, and economic policy. This recognition celebrated his dedication to enhancing the banking sector's role in Colombia's economic growth and for advocating for policies that promoted financial stability and consumer protection.

In February 2020, Santiago Castro announced his resignation from his role as the President of Asobancaria after ten years of leading the organization. His resignation marked the end of a significant period characterized by substantial influence over the banking policies and economic strategies within Colombia. Under his guidance, the association achieved numerous milestones in enhancing financial services regulations, promoting sustainable banking initiatives, and improving sector transparency. He left to pursue other professional opportunities.