Gus Maxwell, chair of Akerman’s cutting edge Cuba practice, helps Fortune 500 and other U.S. companies develop viable business interests on the island. A Cuban-American, Maxwell's clients appreciate his first-hand knowledge and understanding of Cuba’s culture, government, and business climate. Ranked by both Chambers Latin America and Chambers Global, where he is described by clients as “extremely knowledgeable, well connected and responsive.” He is the only U.S. lawyer ranked by both organizations.

Joe Garcia is a co-chairman of Mercury, based in Miami, Florida. Garcia is a life-long public servant who leverages his extensive policy expertise for clients.

Most recently, Garcia served as congressman for Florida’s 26th District. During his time in Congress, Rep. Garcia served on the Committee on the Judiciary, including the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Border Security, and the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law. He was also a member of the Committee on Natural Resources and several of its subcommittees.

Michael J. Bustamante (PhD, Yale University) is associate professor of History and the Emilio Bacardí Moreau chair in Cuban and Cuban-American Studies. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Miami, he served as assistant professor of Latin American History at Florida International University. He is the author of Cuban Memory Wars: Retrospective Politics in Revolution and Exile, published by the University of North Carolina Press in 2021.

Kezia McKeague, regional director at McLarty, advises multinational companies on Argentina, Cuba, and regional Latin American issues as well as on engagement with multilateral organizations at the global level.

Ambassador Louise Blais was Canada’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2017-2021.  During this time since, she also served as Vice President on UNICEF’s Executive Board.

Louise Blais began her professional career as an Art Theft Analyst at Interpol. She then managed the Development Program at the National Archives of Canada before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1996.

Senator Peter M. Boehm holds a Ph.D in History from the University of Edinburgh, a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Wilfrid Laurier University.