Esteban Morales Herrera’s career journey has been one of relentless dedication to uncovering truth and fostering peace in conflict zones. In 2018, he joined the Truth Commission in Colombia, a crucial role in addressing the nation’s sixty years of conflict with more than ten million victims. During this time, he asked himself, “What is the real meaning of being a leader and peacebuilder?” His work involved understanding and addressing victims' testimonies, a theme that resonates throughout his career. This question led him to attend the Emerging Leaders executive program at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in 2019.
While on campus, he took full advantage of everything HKS had to offer. This included attending a JFK Jr Forum event, where he had conversations about leadership and peacebuilding with Barbara Stewart, Director of the Peace Corps, and Ambassador Caroline Kennedy. He cited this as one of the most valuable moments of his time in Cambridge. “Always stay on the side of the victims,” Ambassador Kennedy emphasized to him; a sentiment Esteban carries forward to this day.
In 2022, Esteban further honed his skills in the Negotiation Strategies: Building Agreement Across Boundaries executive program, led by Faculty Chair Kessely Hong. He attended the program just four months before Colombia’s Truth Commission final report, “There is Future if There is Truth,” was to be released. “I talked to my boss, Francisco de Roux, President of the Truth Commission. I asked him, ‘How do we address the polarization and the reconciliation through the Happening of the Truth?’ I decided I needed elements of discernment as the ones provided in Negotiation Strategies, because what we were facing is not just a strategy of how we deal with our allies, but also the strategy of how we build the bridge with those who are the opposite from us.”
Esteban continues, “I knew that I would be meeting people in the best environment at HKS, where people are advancing knowledge. I was seeking community. I was so excited to see the richness of people all over the world. One of my peers told me: peace is hard, but your transitional justice system is making history.”
Esteban valued the interaction with his program cohort and faculty chair Kessely Hong. He said, “Professor Hong and I had a one-hour lunch to speak about my questions. She helped me to understand the importance of building bridges with the victims from all sides. For me, this was a confirmation of what the Truth Commission was already doing. The truth about the waves of the suffering reveals that everyone was suffering.”
He also loved the collaborative nature of the program. He shares, “The program has so many values, including the high quality of academics, the intensity, the rigorousness of the lectures, the value of the community, the unique and genuine new friendships with other leaders in the world and the transformation. It will be a very life-changing experience.”
Esteban’s work with the Truth Commission remains a significant milestone in his career. Now, as Esteban continues his research and writes his second book, he hopes to answer questions he has yet to resolve from the academia level. After his studies, Esteban shares his hopes for his long-term future. “I want to help in conflict resolution and negotiation, and my experience in HKS executive programs has helped me to do just that.”
Esteban’s journey exemplifies the profound impact of ethical leadership and the enduring importance of truth and reconciliation. His story is a testament to the transformative power of truth, justice, and a deep commitment to public service.