Zona de Azar Argentina – Argentina: Former CEO of CODERE Named Secretary of Children, Adolescents, and Family

Argentina – November 13, 2024 www.zonadeazar.com The government has appointed Juan Bautista Ordoñez as the new Secretary of Children, Adolescents, and Family, under the direction of the Ministry of Human Capital, led by Sandra Pettovello.

Ordoñez will replace Yanina Nano Lembo, who will assume a new role within the ministerial structure, as confirmed by Casa Rosada in an official statement following her involvement in a controversy regarding the purchase of an expensive coffee maker.

Profile

For 17 years, Ordoñez served as Director of Communications at Grupo Roggio (1992-2009). Later, he held the position of Corporate Affairs Director at YPF S.A. (2010-2012). He also served as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Herbalife in South America (2012-2015) and as Executive Director at Barrick Gold in Argentina (2015-2017).

One of his most significant corporate roles was as the Director in Argentina for Codere, a multinational gambling operator with online betting. Ordoñez held this position from 2018 to 2022. His experience in this role has raised criticism from the opposition, which views the appointment as a potential conflict of interest.

In addition to his multinational experience, Ordoñez has been a consultant in strategy, change management, and government relations. His professional focus, as he describes it, is to help organizations address challenges “more effectively and profitably.” In 2024, he founded Human Rights Link, a consultancy focused on human rights.

Human Capital Under Congress Scrutiny

Ordoñez takes office during a period of transition and reorganization of the Secretariat for Children. His predecessor, Yanina Nano Lembo, was removed amid alleged irregularities in her administration. Beyond the coffee maker acquisition, sources indicate that Minister Pettovello was dissatisfied with Nano Lembo’s management, with issues becoming evident during her recent appearance before the Budget Committee.

Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com