Roberto Lara Aranda

Roberto Lara Aranda is a communications strategist, storyteller, and educator with over 15 years of experience leading narrative, media, and engagement strategies across philanthropy, corporate, and faith-based institutions. He is currently Director of Communications for Global Outreach at the Fetzer Institute, where he leads national and international campaigns at the intersection of spirituality, justice, and social transformation.

A first-generation college graduate and Latino leader, Lara brings a values-driven approach to strategic communication—one that centers inclusion, trust-building, and public witness. His work has earned national recognition, including awards from Forrester (for work with Fortune 500 brands) and the Associated Church Press. He currently serves as Executive Director of Select Learning, expanding access to theological education across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and as Interim Executive Director of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, supporting the full inclusion and leadership of LGBTQIA+ clergy within the denomination. He previously served as President of the Latino Ministries Association and as Chief Communications and Development Officer of the Metropolitan New York Synod.

At Columbia, Lara teaches the Ethical Decision Making for Communicators course and has supported the Industry Insider and Authentic Leader courses. He guides students in navigating complex ethical dilemmas, shaping persuasive arguments, and integrating strategic communications that include long-term social impact.

He holds an Executive M.S. in Strategic Communication from Columbia University and previously led multicultural campaigns for clients such as Meta, Bank of America, and Nestlé.

Fun Fact: Before entering the field of communications, Lara toured internationally as a professional ballet dancer with companies including Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Ballet Hispanico of New York, and the National Ballet of Cuba. He has performed lead roles in Giselle, Don Quixote, and Swan Lake across more than 25 countries.