Leadership Team
Meet the people who lead GLM’s different areas and support the development of our educational community.
Our Founders
María Mercedes de Brigard Merchán
Principal
Educator, philosopher, and master’s degree holder in Educational and Social Development. She is a co-founder of Gimnasio La Montaña and has led the institution as principal since 1988, supporting the development and evolution of its educational project.
Her career has been marked by a deep vocation for education and the conviction that it is a tool for transforming lives and building a better society. She has also actively participated in educational and social impact initiatives, including the founding of Red PaPaz and leadership in organizations committed to strengthening education in Colombia, such as Alianza Educativa.
Today, as Principal of Gimnasio La Montaña, she continues to promote an education that integrates academic excellence with human development, critical thinking, and commitment to society.
Lucila de Brigard Merchán
Mentor
Educator with experience in preschool education, whose vision and expertise were instrumental in the early years of Gimnasio La Montaña. After nearly four decades of service, she continues to support the School today as an advisor, contributing her experience and perspective on the institution’s legacy and future.
Leopoldo García Arévalo
Mentor
One of the founders of Gimnasio La Montaña and a fundamental part of its development over nearly four decades. His career has been closely tied to the growth and consolidation of the School’s educational project. Today, as an advisor, he continues to contribute his experience and knowledge to guide the path of new generations.
María Mercedes de Brigard
Fundadora y Rectora
Educadora, filósofa y magíster en Desarrollo Educativo y Social. Cofundadora y rectora del Gimnasio La Montaña desde 1988, ha dedicado su trayectoria a transformar la educación y contribuir a una mejor sociedad.
Ha participado en iniciativas como la fundación de Red PaPaz y el liderazgo de la Alianza Educativa. Hoy impulsa una educación que integra excelencia académica, formación humana, pensamiento crítico y compromiso social.
Lucila de Brigard Merchán
Fundadora y Consejera
Educadora con experiencia en educación preescolar, cuya visión y conocimiento fueron fundamentales para los primeros años del Gimnasio La Montaña. Después de casi cuatro décadas de servicio, hoy continúa acompañando al Colegio como consejera, aportando su experiencia y su mirada sobre el legado y el futuro de la institución.
Leopoldo García Arévalo
Fundador y Consejero
Uno de los fundadores del Gimnasio La Montaña y parte fundamental de su construcción durante casi cuatro décadas. Su trayectoria ha estado ligada al desarrollo y consolidación del proyecto educativo del Colegio. Hoy, como consejero, continúa aportando su experiencia y conocimiento para acompañar el camino de las nuevas generaciones.
Senior Council
Carolina Piñeros Ospina
Industrial Engineer from Universidad de los Andes, with a specialization in Personal and Family Development from Universidad de La Sabana. She has been involved with Red PaPaz since 2003, an organization she co-founded through the Gimnasio La Montaña Parents’ Association and has led since 2004. Her experience in education, family, childhood, and social leadership brings Gimnasio La Montaña a strategic perspective on holistic education and engagement with families.
Jaime Enrique Medina Serrano
Alumnus, Class of 2004 Lawyer, with specializations in Corporate Law and Financial Law and a master’s degree in International Financial Law. He has extensive experience in the financial sector and currently works as a Senior Lawyer at Bancolombia. His background in corporate law, financial legislation, and banking brings the Senior Council a legal and financial perspective to institutional decision-making.
María Cristina Zea de Durán
Lawyer from Universidad Santo Tomás, with specializations in Administrative Law and University Teaching, as well as training in Early Childhood Education. Her professional career has been dedicated to public service, combining her legal background with a strong educational perspective. Her experience brings GLM insight into public management, education, regulatory frameworks, and institutional development.
Sandra Marcela Núñez Trujillo
Physician and master’s degree holder in Health Administration from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, with a specialization in Epidemiology from Universidad del Rosario, where she has also taught at the graduate level. She has built her career in healthcare administration and currently serves as Medical Director at Novo Nordisk. Her experience and expertise in management, healthcare, leadership, and strategic decision-making are valuable to the work of GLM’s Senior Council.
Rafael María de Brigard Merchán
Diocesan priest, philosopher, and theologian from the Major Seminary of Bogotá, and psychologist from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He currently serves as Territorial Episcopal Vicar for Padre Misericordioso and Director of the Communications Office of the Archdiocese of Bogotá. His experience brings Gimnasio La Montaña a perspective grounded in spiritual formation, values, human accompaniment, communication, and social commitment.
Board of Directors
Guillermo Alberto Isaza Mejía
Economist from Reed College and MBA from Universidad de los Andes. He currently leads CION, integración cooperativa, and previously held executive positions at Álvarez & Marsal and Citibank. His experience in the financial sector and in mergers and acquisitions brings the Board expertise in strategy, finance, business management, and organizational transformation.
Javier José Suárez Esparragoza
Civil Engineer from Universidad de los Andes, with master’s degrees in Actuarial Science and Finance from Georgia State University. He currently serves as President of Davivienda and Chairman of the Board of Asobancaria. His extensive experience in the financial and insurance sectors brings a strategic perspective on management, risk, finance, and corporate governance.
Jorge Hernando Hoyos Maya
Industrial Engineer from Universidad de los Andes and MBA from Instituto de Empresa in Madrid. He served as Financial and Administrative Vice President of Reaseguradora Hemisférica, President of Seguros Atlas, and Manager of Forjar Inversiones and Prominsa. He also has more than 25 years of experience as a university professor and serves on several boards. He brings expertise in strategy, sustainability, finance, education, and corporate governance.
Juana Morales Sáenz
Psychologist specializing in childhood, parenting, child development, and socio-emotional regulation. She is Director and Founder of Vueltacanela, an early childhood initiative with more than 30 years of experience, and co-creator of the Crianza con el cerebro en mente model. Her work with children, families, teachers, and caregivers brings a specialized perspective on child development, well-being, and education.
María Claudia García de Brigard
Lawyer from Universidad Javeriana, specializing in contract law and the mining and energy sector. She has 20 years of experience in national and international contract negotiations, corporate governance, administration, and strategic planning of legal processes. She is currently a Senior Lawyer at Repsol Colombia. Her contribution to the Board is particularly relevant in legal, contractual, strategic, and corporate governance matters.
María del Mar García de Brigard
Alumna, Class of 1999 Lawyer from Universidad Javeriana, with a master’s degree in Private Law and a specialization in Financial Law from Universidad de los Andes. She has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance sector and currently serves as Vice President of Claims at Chubb Seguros. Her legal, financial, insurance, and risk management expertise, together with her connection as a GLM alumna, represents a valuable contribution to the school.
Rodrigo Cabrera Liévano
Alumnus, Class of 2003 Business Administrator from CESA and MBA from INALDE Business School, with experience in the airport, financial, and marketing sectors. He has been with Crepes & Waffles for more than 11 years and currently serves as its General Manager. His business, commercial, and leadership experience, together with his background as a student representative and student council president at GLM, brings a strategic perspective closely connected to the school community.
Yolanda Reyes Villamizar
Educator, writer, and columnist for El Tiempo. She leads the Espantapájaros bookstore and early childhood center and advises national and international institutions on education and reading policies. Her career is closely connected to early childhood, literature, and the development of readers. Through this experience, she contributes to GLM’s strategic direction with an educational and cultural perspective on childhood, reading, and education policy.
School Leadership
School Management and Planning Team
This is Gimnasio La Montaña’s strategic direction and institutional management body. It makes decisions that guide the school’s course, defines priorities, policies, and programs, and coordinates different areas and sections to move in the same direction.
A space to think strategically, make decisions, and help GLM continue to grow with purpose.
Academic Council
A space to discuss, analyze, and make decisions about the pedagogical heart of Gimnasio La Montaña: its focus is on building a strong, relevant, and continuously evolving academic offering.
From there, the curriculum and assessment processes are designed and managed, academic challenges are analyzed, and strategies are promoted to address them. It also supports special academic programs, participates in the assessment of teachers’ academic competencies, and contributes to the review of the Institutional Educational Project – PEI.
Here, reflection on education becomes decisions that evolve our academic offering.
