About FOTD

Our Vision

Together, as a community of leaders, we are driven by the unwavering belief that it is our collective responsibility to foster inclusive societies and organizational cultures that empower every individual to flourish.

We are resolute in our conviction that we hold the power to create significant and transformative change in underestimated communities throughout the Americas.

Each year, we bring our unwavering belief and unwavering commitment to a new city, ignited a ripple effect of positive impact.

Board Of Advisors

Whitney Buchmann

Francisco Gómez

Sandra Mosquera Marmolejo

Jacques M. Jean

TechFides

Lynette Rawlings, PhD

The Policy Academies

Diana A. Buenaños Mena

Calec Abogados

The Team

Cordell Carter, Esq.

CEO FOTD

Maria Velasquez

CO-CEO FOTD / CEO CASA INNOVATION

Catherine Campos

Festival of the Diaspora Chief of Staff.

Zuly Pelaez

Casa Innovation/FOTD LATAM Program Manager

Yesenia Leudo

Director of Communications

Liseth Martinez

Program Associate Consultant

Volunteers

Verónica Rodríguez

ambassadors

The Festival of the Diaspora (FOTD) is an annual event committed to celebrating and connecting humanity by promoting inclusivity and collective impact. In 2025, the festival will take place in Medellín, Colombia, from February 13th to 16th. To enhance the reach and impact of the festival, FOTD is launching an Ambassador Program, inviting highprofile leaders to serve as official FOTD Ambassadors.

Our Esteemed Supporters

Each of these organizations is committed to fostering a sense of belonging within their communities; creating an inclusive workplace culture that values and respects all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.

Through our partnership, we hope to continue to cultivate and celebrate our humanity, while creating international unity and impact. 

FOTD 2025 Themes

History & Culture

Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Colombian traditions and lifestyles.

Led by:

Media & The Arts

Navigate the intersections of commerce and media in today’s interconnected world.

Led by:

Entrepreneurship & Creative Economies

Allow your ideas to take root and flourish by entering dynamic, enriching spaces.

Led by:

Philanthropic Sector & Impact

Address pressing social and environmental issues through resources and capital allocation.

Led by:

Tech & Society

Delve into the interplay between Technology, AI and society, and the transformative potential it holds.

Led by:

Next Stop, Medellin

The 4th Annual Festival of the Diaspora is heading to the City of Eternal Spring in Medellin, Colombia. After breaking attendance records in Rio de Janeiro during February 2024, we are expecting the largest festival in our 4 year history in Medellin!

Whether you’ve attended before or are a first-time festival-goer, we invite you to register today and experience the joy and diversity of our diasporic community.