When Forbes Colombia released its list of the best CIOs of 2025, four names stood out for a remarkable reason: all of them are alumni of the Engineering program at Universidad de los Andes. These distinguished leaders are not just managing servers; they are leveraging technology to enhance daily life across diverse sectors including social services, banking, insurance, and food production in Colombia and Latin America. Their career narratives reflect a transformative blend of technical acumen, people skills, and visionary leadership, which collectively transform IT departments into robust engines of innovation, sustainability, and substantial social impact.
Forbes Colombia’s 2025 CIO List: Its Significance
A Chief Information Officer (CIO) plays a pivotal role in aligning technology strategies with business objectives. They guide organizations in selecting the right tools, ensuring data protection, and fostering better customer experiences. The Forbes Colombia list of 2025 highlighted 25 CIOs who have led significant transformations in their organizations, particularly through advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital service offerings. The recognition serves not only to spotlight individual achievements but also illustrates the advancements in technology and its evolution from a support function to a central component of innovation and strategic planning.
Ana Maria Tobar: Technology with a Social Mission at Colsubsidio
Ana Maria Tobar, a systems and computing engineer from Uniandes, currently spearheads technology efforts at Colsubsidio. With additional postgraduate studies completed in Spain and the United States, she has directed a transformative digital initiative centered on enhancing user experience. One of her notable achievements is the development of the Mi Colsubsidio app, enabling millions of affiliated families to efficiently manage payments and access essential services through their smartphones.
Under her leadership, Colsubsidio ascended from 26th to 1st in ANDI’s National Innovation Ranking in 2025. This leap was driven by her emphasis on data analytics, process automation, and enriching user experiences. Tobar’s journey underscores the genuine impact technology can have when it is harnessed to dismantle barriers and promote equitable access to benefits in education and health services.
Alvaro Carmona: The Digital Backbone of Bancolombia
Alvaro Carmona, an experienced systems engineer and a Uniandes alumnus, boasts over 25 years in the financial sector. Currently serving as the vice president of technology services at Bancolombia, he has led a groundbreaking tech makeover involving cloud migration, modern architectural strategies, enhanced cybersecurity, and intelligent automation. This extensive overhaul supports daily services utilized by millions, including mobile banking and other digital channels, where potential failures could undermine trust and economic activity.
Forbes recognized Bancolombia as one of the most digitally evolved organizations in the region, a testament to Carmona’s commitment to operational excellence and reliability. His leadership reinforces the notion that robust technology frameworks can reinforce trust and facilitate economic growth.
Innovation Engines at Seguros Bolivar and Alianza Team
German Sanchez, a systems engineer with a specialization in technology management and innovation from Uniandes, currently leads technological advancements at Seguros Bolivar. He has fostered an atmosphere of open innovation by creating platforms like Ignite Lab, where multidisciplinary teams collaborate to develop AI applications, advanced analytics, and automation to enhance insurance service offerings. His background includes significant experience in publishing, having worked at El Tiempo Casa Editorial.
Maria Paula Rios, an industrial engineer and mathematician with an MBA and a Ph.D. in statistics and econometrics, steers innovation and digital transformation at Alianza Team. Her efforts focus on implementing AI and predictive modeling within production processes, promoting sustainable technologies, and developing innovative recyclable packaging solutions that address health and environmental challenges.
Both Sanchez and Rios illustrate how data-driven decisions and experimental environments can reinvigorate large, traditional organizations, transforming them into more agile, collaborative, and sustainable entities.
Four Uniandes Engineers, a Shared Vision for the Digital Future
The four accomplished engineers recognized by Forbes Colombia as CIOs of the year in 2025 epitomize a generation that embraces technology as a catalyst for change rather than merely a support tool. Their diverse contributions span a range of sectors—from banking applications to insurance platforms and essential social services to food innovation. Their leadership not only builds trust and opportunity but also enhances the well-being of millions across Columbia.
Their stories collectively resonate with a vital message for emerging engineers and students: a strong foundation in technical skills, combined with curiosity and a sense of purpose, can pave the way to impactful roles where technology is leveraged as a means to sculpt the future of the nation.
