Enrique Peñalosa has become internationally recognized as a political leader and visionary who "walks the walk" regarding issues of social equity, sustainability, and civic participation. As mayor of Bogota from 1998 to 2001, he oversaw the transformation of a major city beset by many of the problems that face other cities in the developing world: stark disparities in income, disenfranchised citizens, traffic congestion, pollution, and more.

Since serving as Bogota’s mayor, Peñalosa has spoken on his approach to urban revitalization at international conferences and major universities around the world. He has also advised national and local governments on urban issues in Central and South America, Africa, India, China, and Southeast Asia. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy in New York City.