Cesár Asiatico: Leading with Global Perspective

June 10, 2026

Cesár Asiastico

After 25 years with JA, César Asiático still sees the organization’s greatest strengths in its people and relationships around the world.

“One of the things that really attracted me to be part of this amazing organization is to have friends all over the world,” reflected César, Executive Director of JA Dominican Republic.

That global perspective drew him to the 2025–2026 JA LEAD cohort. Encouraged by colleagues who participated in the program’s first year, César applied, hoping to strengthen his leadership skills by learning from peers across the JA network. “When I joined LEAD, I was excited to understand other people’s points of view, especially those of my colleagues from other regions. I’ve been learning a lot from my peers all over the world.”

The LEAD initiative brings together high-potential leaders from across the JA network to strengthen their leadership capabilities, expand cross-regional collaboration, and prepare the next generation of leaders within JA. The cohort-based learning and mentorship experience cultivates global connections, allows participants to develop new perspectives, and helps them develop practical strategies to advance impact for young people in their JA locations.

Through LEAD, César wanted to deepen his understanding of leadership and cross-cultural negotiation. “It’s the capacity to understand somebody else’s point, especially when this somebody else is somebody from a different region,” he explained.

Each member of the cohort is paired with another executive from one of the five other JA regions. The pairs meet monthly to share insights, discuss challenges, and exchange best practices and ideas. César partnered with Nelo Spies of JA South Africa. Although their exchange visits are still ahead, the two leaders have already begun building a strong professional connection through regular conversations about the similarities and differences in their work.

“She’s dealing with the same issues as me, but in a totally different context,” César observed.

One of the strongest impressions from the cohort so far has come from hearing the experiences of JA leaders working in conflict-affected areas of the Middle East. César described feeling inspired by the resilience of colleagues who continue delivering programs despite enormous challenges.

“My INJAZ colleagues are risking their lives in order to deliver JA programs,” he noted. In conflict-affected areas, “Junior Achievement can be part of the solution.”

The experience has reinforced César’s belief that JA Worldwide is not separate from local organizations, but part of a shared global mission. “I am a local leader, and I am part of JA Worldwide,” he affirmed.

As César continues through the LEAD experience, he emphasized the program has already expanded his understanding of leadership, strengthened his global relationships, and deepened his commitment to the broader JA network.