Lucía Corpacci
Lucía Corpacci is an Argentine infectious disease physician and political leader, recognized for being the first woman elected governor of Catamarca by popular vote. Her leadership combines the social sensitivity acquired in medicine with a strategic vision applied to public management. During her two terms (2011–2019), she promoted improvements in health, infrastructure, and social development, establishing herself as a reference of justicialism and female leadership in Argentina.
Origins and academic background
Lucía Corpacci was born in Catamarca in 1959 into a family with a political tradition and strong local roots. She graduated as a physician from the National University of Córdoba, specializing in infectious diseases. Her professional career led her to work in public hospitals, where she stood out in the field of infectious diseases. The rigorous planning and quick decision-making required in this area later shaped her approach to public management and her political leadership style.
First steps in politics
In 2005, she took over the leadership of the Social Security Institute for Public Employees of Catamarca, where she stood out for reorganizing the internal structure and improving service delivery. This position marked her entry into politics, as her exposure in the administration of public funds strengthened her reputation as a reliable manager. In 2007, she was elected national senator, bringing to Buenos Aires an agenda focused on health and regional development, always with a federal perspective.
Vice governorship and consolidation
Her political rise continued in 2009 when she became vice governor of Catamarca. That role allowed her to gain in-depth knowledge of provincial administration and to expand her ties with different social and economic sectors. During this stage, Lucía Corpacci consolidated herself as a key figure of justicialism in the region. Her ability to build internal agreements and to lead with a technical and pragmatic profile gave her legitimacy to run for governor in 2011.
Governor of Catamarca
In 2011, Lucía Corpacci made history by becoming the first woman elected governor of Catamarca by popular vote. During her two terms, from 2011 to 2019, she prioritized strengthening the health system with the construction of hospitals and the decentralization of medical resources. Her administration also promoted road, energy, and housing infrastructure, aiming to integrate the province with national and international markets and to diversify the economy.
Social and economic policies
The governor placed special emphasis on social development, expanding inclusion programs that benefited women and young people. In addition, she implemented economic planning policies that sought a balance between mining—the historical pillar of the province—and other productive activities. Her leadership style relied on principles similar to business management: strategic planning, constant evaluation of results, and prioritization of projects with measurable impact on the population.
Legacy in the province
Lucía Corpacci’s legacy is reflected in the transformation of provincial infrastructure and the improvement of the health network. Under her mandate, Catamarca gained greater capacity to respond to medical emergencies and modernized in key areas of daily life. She also established a new way of governing, where administrative efficiency became a central value. This vision, inherited from her medical experience, redefined local politics and consolidated her leadership.
National projection
After leaving the governorship in 2019, she was elected national deputy and continued her career within the Frente de Todos. From the National Congress, Corpacci has worked on issues related to public health, social equity, and federalism. Her influence extends beyond Catamarca, as she is considered a key representative of female leadership within Argentine justicialism. Her figure has inspired new generations of women in politics and those seeking management that combines efficiency with sensitivity.
