DGA Group Welcomes Former Starbucks Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Kobori and Former Colombian Trade Minister Amb. Luis Guillermo Plata as Senior Advisors
Washington, D.C. – June 18, 2026 – DGA Group, an expert-led advisory firm, today announced the appointments of Michael Kobori and Ambassador Luis Guillermo Plata as Senior Advisors, further strengthening the firm’s ability to help clients navigate sustainability, trade, supply chain, and geopolitical challenges around the world.
Michael Kobori is a globally recognized leader in corporate sustainability and social impact. He currently serves on the Board of Avalo, Inc., an AI-powered plant breeding company, and is a Trustee of The Asia Foundation. He previously served as Starbucks’ first Chief Sustainability Officer, leading global sustainability and ESG strategy across 40,000 stores in 88 countries and helping advance more than $400 million in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure investments. Mr. Kobori also served as Vice President of Sustainability at Levi Strauss & Co., where, in partnership with IFC and the World Bank, he helped pioneer what became the $2 billion Global Trade Supplier Finance program. Mr. Kobori has also served on the board of Bunge Global SA, a global agribusiness and food company, where he was a member of the Enterprise Risk and Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Committees.
Ambassador Luis Guillermo Plata is an internationally recognized business and policy leader with deep experience in trade, economic development, investment, and crisis management. He most recently served as Colombia’s ambassador to Spain and previously as Colombia’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, where he led major trade negotiations and helped drive growth in exports, foreign investment, and tourism. He also led Colombia’s COVID-19 response as Chairman of the response task force. Earlier in his career, he was an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. He continues to serve on the boards of leading public and private companies across the region, and is a successful private equity investor.
“Michael and Luis have built distinguished careers helping organizations navigate complexity, drive growth, and create long-term value,” said Dan K. Rosenthal, Americas President at DGA Group. “Michael brings deep expertise at the intersection of sustainability, supply chains, and corporate strategy, while Luis offers a unique perspective shaped by leadership in government, international trade, investment, and diplomacy. Together, they strengthen our ability to help clients anticipate risk, seize opportunity, and succeed in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace.”
About DGA Group
DGA Group is a global advisory firm that helps clients protect – and grow – what they have built in today’s complex business environment. We understand the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly regulated and interconnected world. Leveraging the experience and expertise of Albright Stonebridge Group, a leader in global strategy and commercial diplomacy, and a deep bench of communications, public affairs, and government relations consultants, we help clients navigate and shape global policy, reputational, and financial issues. To learn more, visit dgagroup.com.