CIFI’s General Counsel Highlights the Role of Purpose in Leadership at IBA Conference

Panama, March 21, 2025 – Invited by the International Bar Association (IBA) to speak at the Biennial IBA Latin American Regional Forum Conference: The Road to 2030 in Latin America held from March 19 to 21, José H. Salaverría, General Counsel at CIFI, joined a panel of distinguished legal professionals to discuss the topic “Purpose in the Legal Workplace.” The panel brought together experienced voices from across the region, offering a rich and diverse conversation on leadership, motivation, and the evolving nature of work in the legal field.

In his remarks, Salaverría explored the role of purpose not only as a driver of motivation and excellence in legal teams, but also as a strategic asset for institutions operating in complex, high-impact sectors such as infrastructure and energy. Drawing from over two decades leading CIFI’s Legal Department, he reflected on how cultivating a sense of shared purpose helps teams go beyond transactional work to become enablers of sustainable development and innovation across Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Purpose is not an abstract ideal—it’s a practical foundation for accountability, autonomy, and resilience,” Salaverría noted, adding that when employees connect their work to a larger mission, their impact deepens well beyond traditional metrics of billable hours or profitability.

He also addressed how rigid business models in law firms can erode motivation and well-being, especially in environments that prioritize output over outcomes. “When professionals feel reduced to numbers, they lose sight of the value they bring—not just to clients, but to broader societal goals,” he emphasized.

Salaverría underscored the importance of aligning personal and institutional values to attract and retain talent, particularly in the context of a generational shift in the workforce. While younger professionals seek purpose, inclusion, and flexibility, seasoned practitioners bring structure, mentorship, and institutional memory. “The challenge is to evolve in a way that honors both perspectives—preserving legacy while adapting to the future,” he said, quoting Simon Sinek on the importance of helping people connect to their “why.”

For CIFI, a non-banking financial institution focused on promoting responsible infrastructure and energy projects across the region, these reflections go beyond internal culture—they speak to the core of how impact-oriented institutions can thrive. By nurturing purpose-driven leadership, organizations like CIFI can continue supporting projects that improve lives, foster sustainability, and empower local communities.

Through his participation, Salaverría helped bridge the conversation between the legal profession and the broader development ecosystem, reinforcing how legal teams—when driven by clarity of mission—can be instrumental partners in shaping a more inclusive and purpose-driven future for Latin America and the Caribbean.