This 2-day conference, focused on Puerto Rico as an International Insurance Center and an International Banking Center, will join top industry leaders and government officials, who will share insights on latest trends and regulations, compliance, AI, AML, cybersecurity, and much more.
Eduardo Colón
PRIBA
Ella Woger
Invest PR
Heidy Duarte
Kaufman, Rossin & Co.
Eduardo Colón is the President of Advantage International Bank Corp. (AIBC), established in 2016 to cater to specialty insurance companies and their clientele. Having over three decades of expertise in the financial sector, Eduardo's illustrious career includes roles such as the Chief Operating Officer at Citi International Financial Services and First Vice President of Corporate Banking at SunTrust Bank.
His journey also saw leadership stints at Scotiabank Puerto Rico, BBVA Securities Puerto Rico, Santander Securities, and Chase Securities Puerto Rico. Currently, Eduardo presides over the Puerto Rico International Banks Association. An alumnus of the University of Puerto Rico, he graduated Cum Laude with a BBA and later secured his MBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
A Puerto Rico native, Ella possesses two decades of expertise in strategic marketing and management consulting, making her a cornerstone of Invest Puerto Rico's initiatives. Pivotal in shaping InvestPR’s foundational mission and objectives, she passionately champions Puerto Rico as a premier investment hub. Ella consistently ensures alignment between stakeholders and InvestPR’s transformative economic vision.
Throughout her career, she has notably collaborated with Fortune 500 giants, especially in financial services and life sciences, and provided counsel to eminent public and private entities. An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Ella holds a Bachelor's in Economics.
Heidy M. Duarte, a Principal at Kaufman Rossin's Risk Advisory Services, brings over 16 years of expertise in the Financial Services sector, mastering forensic accounting, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Her proficiency encompasses BSA/AML/OFAC, IFRS, and more, catering to a variety of financial entities. Before Kaufman Rossin, Heidy directed the National Forensics Practice of a major global accounting firm, pioneering AML practices across Puerto Rico, LATAM, and the Caribbean. Previously, as the BSA/AML/OFAC Officer at a national bank, she formulated robust compliance standards and Anti-Money Laundering initiatives.
Her leadership extends to serving as an Executive Board Member of “Women United” and as an instructor for Anti-money laundering programs, including the FIBA Foreign Correspondent Bank Certificate. Recognized for her excellence, the South Florida Hispanic Miami Chamber of Commerce honored her with the 2021 “Women of Leadership Award” in Business/Accounting.
With a Master's from Florida International University and a Risk Management certification from Harvard, Heidy's bilingual prowess in English and Spanish further distinguishes her in the financial landscape.
Hugo Córdova
PRIIA
Marilú Jiménez
FINCAdvisors
Manuel Cidre
Secretary of the
Department of
Economic Development
and Commerce
Hugo Córdova has been with Advantage since March 2018 as a Client Services Manager, overseeing life insurance policy issuance, client relations, and business expansion in Puerto Rico. His financial journey began at Banco Santander, Puerto Rico, progressing from a Management Trainee to roles in Commercial Lending and Branch Management.
By 2010, Hugo moved to Aon, offering Insurance Management Services to global insurers within Puerto Rico. A licensed CPA in Puerto Rico, he graduated with a BBA in Accounting from the University of Sacred Heart. Currently, he presides over the Puerto Rico International Insurers Association.
With over 30 years in financial services, Ms. Jiménez is a revered attorney and certified BSA/AML expert. She's made significant strides as the Chief Compliance Officer for a top U.S. Hispanic bank, mastering BSA/AML, the USA Patriot Act, and OFAC compliance. Her prowess extends to guiding executives and boards in robust governance, risk assessments, and compliance strategies, with a notable role as a Senior Advisor to global firms like McKinsey & Company.
A luminary in her field, Ms. Jiménez contributes profoundly to ACAMS, influencing certifications and chairing its Spanish Editorial Board. Her industry leadership is further highlighted by her active roles with the ABA and ACAMS, leading anti-financial crime initiatives. Her expertise garners recognition, including the ACAMS Professional of the Year Award in 2017.
A seasoned speaker and trainer, she's instrumental in U.S.-Latin American financial dialogues and trains Latin American regulators. Her past leadership at Popular, Inc. involved pioneering compliance functions and anti-money laundering programs, with prior impactful roles at Citibank and Banco Santander.
Beyond finance, she's dedicated to community upliftment of the most underserved populations, including the Puerto Rico Bay Estuary, and is the Chairwoman of Espacios Abiertos, created to bring long-term systemic change and socio-economic justice in Puerto Rico.
Manuel Cidre Miranda is the Secretary of Puerto Rico's Economic Development and Commerce Department (EDCD) since January 2021. He is a recognized businessman raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, with more than 46 years of experience.
His professional career began at Upjohn Inter American Pharmaceutical. In 1978 he founded Cidrines, Inc., the first bakery and pastry chain in Puerto Rico. In 1984, he developed and founded Pastelería Cidrines, a bread and pastry wholesaling and manufacturing operation with a strong presence in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and 44 states of the United States of America.
Cidre has also been an active collaborator in multiple educational, community and philanthropic organizations, having occupied leadership positions in the Puerto Rico Commerce Chamber, Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association and Puerto Rico Products Association. He has received countless awards during his career.
In 2016, he entered politics as an independent candidate for Governor of Puerto Rico, motivated by his great commitment to the socioeconomic development of the people and the structural changes that the island needs.
He has a Bachelor's Degree in Management, Finance and Marketing from the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Natalia I. Zequeira
Commissioner of
Financial Institutions
Stephen Muldrow
U.S. Attorney District
Yeissa Rodriguez
Advantage International
Appointed Commissioner of Financial Institutions in January 2021, Natalia I. Zequeira Díaz brought extensive banking industry expertise to her role, essential in a post-pandemic economy. Tasked with steering Puerto Rico's financial system, she focuses on formulating innovative, flexible regulations.
Zequeira aims to bolster the resilience of Puerto Rican financial institutions amid pandemic-induced challenges and anticipated industry evolutions. Her education, including an LL.M. from Fordham University and a JD from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law, underpins her role.
Before her appointment, Zequeira excelled as a legal consultant, known for her prowess in privacy law, internal audits, legal compliance, and risk assessment, with notable experience at Pirillo LLC. She's adeptly represented diverse financial entities, concentrating on regulatory and compliance matters, furthering her acumen in banking laws and project financing.
Her significant contributions extend to regulatory compliance for banking products and services, evidencing her substantial legal skill within the banking sector.
W. Stephen Muldrow was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico on October 4, 2019. Mr. Muldrow previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Puerto Rico U.S. Attorney's Office from 1995 to 2001, serving as Lead Organized Crime Drug Task Force Attorney and Coordinator for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
From 2001 to 2019, Mr. Muldrow served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Florida, including serving as the Acting United States Attorney, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Senior Litigation Counsel in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions.
From 1989 to 1995, Mr. Muldrow worked as a Trial Attorney and Senior Trial Attorney in the Tax Division (Civil Trial Section, Northern Region) in Washington, DC. From 1988 to 1989, he worked as a law clerk for the United States Marshals Service, Office of General Counsel.
Mr. Muldrow earned his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, at The American University, Washington College of Law, and a Master of Arts in Law & International Affairs from The American University, School of International Service. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in Spanish from Bucknell University.
Yeissa Rodríguez brings over 18 years of financial services expertise, with a specialized focus on BSA, AML, OFAC, and comprehensive regulatory compliance. Her career began within a commercial bank in Puerto Rico, advancing to roles as Chief Compliance Officer in various international financial entities within the region.
Her academic foundations are solid, with a BBA from the University of Puerto Rico, majoring in Criminal Justice and a concentration in Law and Society, equipping her with a unique perspective on regulatory matters. Beyond practical experience, Rodríguez possesses several prestigious certifications, affirming her proficiency in the field. She is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), a Certified Risk Management Specialist, and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Additionally, her expertise is broadened by her Identity Theft Investigator Certification and a Private Investigator Diploma.
Rodríguez engages with the industry at large, notably serving as the Director of the Compliance Committee for the Puerto Rico International Bankers Association (PRIBA). In this role, she actively contributes to setting and upholding compliance standards, reflecting her commitment to maintaining the integrity of the financial sector in Puerto Rico. Her blend of hands-on experience, formal education, and an active role in industry leadership positions Rodríguez as a significant figure in steering compliance within the region's financial services industry.