Vicente Fox

Tuesday, May 27 ~ 4:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Open to All Registrants

President Vicente Fox is known as a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the economic and social challenges facing Latin America. He is one of the world's most important voices on the contemporary geo-political landscape and the role of business in the developing world.

When elected to the presidency of Mexico in 2000, Vicente Fox broke the hold that the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party had held on the State for seven decades. A charismatic reformer, President Fox is credited as playing a vital role in Mexico's democratization, and with strengthening the country's economy. During his tenure, he succeeded in controlling inflation and interest rates, and in achieving the lowest unemployment rate in all of Latin America.

Since leaving office, President Fox has continued to be active on the global stage. In January 2007, he founded the Fox Center, Mexico's first presidential library and museum. Much of the Center's programming focuses on promoting democracy and transparency around the world. Fox released his autobiography, Revolution of Hope: The Life, Faith and Dreams of a Mexican President, in September 2007. President Fox will sign copies of his book at the NAFSA conference.

As a young man, Fox studied at the Ibero-American University in Mexico City and took courses administered by the Harvard University Business School. He then joined the working world and began driving a truck for the Coca-Cola Company in 1964. He was quickly promoted, and soon became the youngest executive to ever be appointed president of Coca-Cola for Mexico and Latin America. President Fox began his political career in 1988 with his election to represent his home state of Guanajuato in the Mexican Congress. He then served as Governor of Guanajuato from 1995 until his election as President in 2000.