Cecilia López Montaño

Cecilia Matilde López Montaño (born April 18, 1943) is a Colombian economist and politician of the Liberal Party who has held several cabinet positions. On September 27, 2009, she was a runner-up in the presidential primary election in Colombia.

Biography
Cecilia began her education at the Parrish and La Enseñanza schools in Barranquilla. She had her degree in economics from the University of the Andes, Colombia. She later received two postgraduate degrees in Demography and the Economy of Education from the Centro de Estudios Educativos, Mexico.

After her graduation, Cecilia started work as the Head of the Department of a unit at the National Planning Department from 1978 to 1980. She has worked as the managing director of Fonade (1981–1982), Vice Minister of Agriculture (1982–1985); Ambassador of Colombia in The Netherlands (1985–1988); Director of the Social Security Department (1990–1992), President of Consenso (1992–1994); Minister of Environment (1994–1996); Minister of Agriculture (1996–1997); Director of the National Planning Department (1997–1998); International Consultant (1998–2006); President of Agenda Colombia Foundation (2002–2006), and Senator of the Republic of Colombia (2006–2010). She has served on the boards of Fedesarrollo and the Natura Foundation. On July 5, 2022, President-Elect Gustavo Petro said he would name her Minister of Agriculture.

Senate of Colombia (2006 - 2010)
At the Senate, Ms. López is recognized for her strong political control on government issues such as: Colombia's economy, debates on the army's Human Rights violations with the Defense Minister, the Carimagua's land situation and its relationship with the displaced people's rights with the Agriculture Minister; the government's management of the financial crisis due to the pyramids case and a thorough study on the convenience for Colombia of the Free Trade Agreements with the United States and the European Union.

Concerning legislation, her most notable work is the presentation of the Bill for social transformation. This law promotes to redefine the national development model forcing the State to provide access to all Colombian citizens to a minimum amount of good quality services.

Acknowledgements
On July 20, 2008, the Senator was appointed the Colombian Liberal Party's spokeswoman. By the end of that year, she was nominated by her colleagues, and won Senator of the year award. A nationally recognized award presented by Canal RCN. At the same time, she was chosen by Revista Cambio, as the best member of the Colombian Congress.

Throughout her professional career, she has received the Cruz de Boyacá Medal, the most important recognition given by the Colombian Government to the citizens that have served the nation with honor. She also received the highest congressional decoration for her contribution to the country's development, and the Queen Beatrice of The Netherlands decoration for her role as Colombian Ambassador in that country.

Senator Lopez was the only female of seven Liberal Party candidates running for the party's nomination for the President of Colombia in 2009.

Writing
López has published and edited 14 books as well as academic and newspaper articles.