This post is also available in: Español
María Alejandra Palacio is the executive director of the University of Los Andes’ Semillas de Apego, a community-based psychological program that promotes the mental health of caregivers of young children in communities exposed to armed conflict, displacement, and forced migration.
Palacio has more than 14 years of professional experience in the private and public sectors and in academia in matters of public policy, labor, education, security, development, and social inclusion. She served as director of the public policy unit and an advisor to the High Presidential Council for Good Government and Administrative Efficiency of the Presidency of Colombia during the Santos Calderón administration. She has also worked with the Ministry of National Defense, the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, and Harvard University. Additionally, she was the director for future jobs and economic development at ProBogota Region.
Palacio has a master’s degree in public administration and international development from Harvard University and a specialization in economics of security and defense from the University of Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia.
Palacio was an event speaker at the Dialogue.