ATHENALAB | New Executive Direction and Institutional Reinforcement Project a New Phase

AthenaLab begins a new phase of institutional consolidation with the appointment of John Griffiths Spielman as Executive Director, along with the incorporation of new capabilities in its research team and Advisory Council. These changes reinforce its mission to contribute to the strategic debate in Chile and project a long-term vision in international relations, security, and defense.

John Griffiths Spielman is a former officer of the Chilean Army and holds a degree in Military Sciences, as well as a Master’s in International Security from Georgetown University and a PhD in American Studies from the University of Santiago de Chile. He has developed a distinguished academic career as a lecturer at UC, ANEPE, and UAI, with additional studies at Harvard University and King’s College London. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute and has been a fundamental part of AthenaLab since its inception, serving as Head of Studies. His appointment ensures continuity and projection of the work developed by the institution, in a context that demands greater strategic depth and capacity for influence.

In the academic field, Diego Sazo joins as Head of Research in International Relations. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the London School of Economics, and also has a Master’s in Conflict Studies from the same institution and is a political scientist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. His background combines experience in the public sector —including the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense— with a distinguished academic career at UC, Harvard University (DRCLAS), and UAI.

Additionally, Claudio Hohmann, an industrial civil engineer from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and former Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, joins the Advisory Council. With a solid background in both the public and private sectors, he has held roles in SOFOFA, ICARE, Walmart Chile , and the Supermarket Association, in addition to participating in strategic reflection spaces and corporate boards. He currently chairs the National Advisory Council of Clapes UC, leads Hohmann & Asociados, and actively participates in public debate as a columnist.

This set of appointments and incorporations marks a decisive step in strengthening AthenaLab as a platform for strategic thinking, training new generations, and influencing public policy, in an increasingly complex international environment for Chile.