32 minute read
Carlos Abrams Rivera
CARLOS ABRAMS-RIVERA'S pathway to corporate success started in Puerto Rico where he was born and grew up. He went to the mainland to earn a degree in economics but came home because he wanted to contribute to Puerto Rico. He served two years as a government aide before he went to the University of Michigan to earn his MBA in 1994. Abrams-Rivera's first stop in a 25-year corporate career was Kraft Foods. Subsequently, he held management positions with several food companies in the U.S. and Mexico including well-known brands such as Campbell and Nabisco. Eventually, he returned to Kraft and in 2020 became U.S. Region president for Kraft-Heinz. At this time, he took on a new role, as a member of the board of directors of another iconic company, Energizer Holdings. "In Energizer Holdings," Abrams-Rivera said, "I felt I had a passion for what it is, an American icon," and "saw a company that has a future vision for growth and that I also can contribute to the future." AbramsRivera has found board work is vastly different from his ongoing senior management functions. "You are there to make sure you are giving guidance, you are there representing the shareholders in the long-term view of the company, you are there to also provide advice to the senior team. You bring unique skills that you can provide advice to the senior leadership absolutely, but it is not to run the company."
Also, Abrams-Rivera saw governance as a forum where he could give back the help he received in his career in a different way, creating opportunities, opening doors and inspiring people to better their lives and "achieve all the best."
Picking the right board, the Energizer director said, is very important. "You have to find both the cultural fit within the company and also within the board," he said. There also are responsibilities to be addressed. For shareholders, he said the board needs to provide for the sustainability of the company, no matter what happens. "We also have to do the right thing," he said, and make sure we do it with the right level of compliance. "I am very proud about how Energizer has managed that," he said.
Then there is ESG, Environmental Social Governance. "People are thinking about what is the role of a company in having a point of view on society issues, what is the role we have in regard to the environment and how we can create a transparent community as we work.” He continues, "We are at a moment of great change and as a board member or executive it is hard to think about the possibilities and what you can do to prepare for all of them." But, he said, it is important for a director to spend time with management thinking about what are the capabilities the company needs to be around not only around for next three years, but also next twenty or fifty years. By investing in these capabilities, "we don't have to be afraid of what the future brings."
As for leadership, Abrams-Rivera has developed strong feelings about what traits are essential. These are a strong vision, strong courage and empathy. There are people, he said, who have a vision of the future and how their business can grow, and also accept the obstacles because "nothing worth doing is going to be easy." However, the Kraft Heinz president said empathy is just as important. This encompasses the ability, he said "to understand and relate at a human level in a way that is going to help us connect so that we achieve more than we felt possible because we are working in a way that we can sustain empathy and bring that into the corporate environment." He added, "I think that is strength that has helped in my corporate career."
Adams-Rivera finds Latinos are in a different places today than when he started his career as the son of a casino dealer and a member of a family that owned a small pharmacy. "People like us, by the time we get to corporate America, we have gone through so many challenges, we have overcome so many obstacles, that we also have a diversity of thinking and a tenacity that comes through in everything we do," Abrams-Rivera said.
Today, there are more companies, he said, that believe diversity of opinions and thoughts are going to make them a better place to work and create an environment in which they can actually achieve business results. "As we go forward, Latinos should be seen as one community that can help drive change for the better in the country that we have chosen to live."
LATINAS; THE GROWING POWER OF THIS COUNTRY
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I remember reading a Nielsen report focused on the power of Latina women. It described how we are a force to be reckoned with, a growing power in this country – both culturally and economically. I felt a surge of pride. My inner voice said, “Yep, that’s me.” I’d held corporate officer positions in Fortune 500 companies and was beginning a new executive role with Providence. Though at the same time, I was aware that those of us who had worked our way into positions of influence were still few and far between. The report about the “Latina Power Shift” masked the daily economic insecurity burdening many Latina and other women of color.
I grew up and attended high school in Texas. One day I overheard a teacher writing off my future. “It’s too bad she’ll never amount to anything.” Early in my career I remember being frustrated when I didn’t feel “seen” professionally for who I am, a woman of color capable of doing anything I set my mind to. This wasn’t exclusive to my professional context; it happened within my own extended family and culture – from both men and women. Some men behaved in a paternalistic manner toward me, and several women told me to mind my place.
These experiences told me that I should occupy small and quiet spaces – for people considered “less than.” People who know me would tell you that I’m anything but quiet. My life speaks of drive. I’ve found that I can do anything. My color and identity are assets, gifts granted me by God. They are vital components of my she-power, my personal brand or secret sauce that makes me a one-ofa-kind creation… a masterpiece in God’s own image. I’ve always been inclined toward letting my light shine brightly and not fretting about others feeling uncomfortable, threatened, or insecure. Our strength grows when we remain grounded, steadfast in who we are and assert ourselves as proud women of color. Along the way, I pray for the grace to do my best, remain humble and grateful, and to lift others up with my words and behavior.
DEBRA A. CANALES
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AT PROVIDENCE ST. JOSEPH HEALTH BOARD DIRECTOR FOR AMICA MUTUAL INSURANCE
JOSE ALVARO AVALOS
President, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Austin GIS, Inc.
jose-alvaroavalos-0565082 Senior executive with significant experience in digital optimization, businessdevelopment, and growing new ventures/start-up, marketing and technicalorganizations. Austin GIS is a NewCo focused on IOT and 5G Infrastructure Solutions. His strengths include growing new ventures, technical innovation and new product category creation, leading and managing worldwide organizations, and extensive experience conducting international business in over 40 countries. Previous to Austin GIS, he was VP at the Internet of Things Group and General Manager of RBHE Vertical Markets at Intel Corporation. There he led Intel's worldwide visual, transactional and edge compute solutions business, which entailed delivering platforms for Digital Signage, Interactive Kiosks, Interactive Whiteboards, Smart Vending, ATMs, POS, Thin Clients and Edge Compute into Retail, Banking, Hospitality, Restaurants and Education Industries. Jose was the Founder and GM of the Digital Signage and Visual Solutions business at Intel (today a $1B+ business). Earlier in his Intel career, he served as director of marketing for the consumer electronics business unit and general manager of the ultra-wideband networking operation. Avalos holds a BS EE from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a MS EE from Arizona State University. He also completed the general management executive program at Harvard Business School.
JOHN CHINA
Division President-SVB Capital, SVB Financial Group
johndchinasvb Growth and transformation financial services leader focused on supporting entrepreneurs and startups at their earliest stages. Since joining SVB in 1996, John has consistently — and enthusiastically — facilitated connections between entrepreneurs, investors, the Fortune 500, bankers and even winemakers. John is responsible for growing the funds business, SVB’s Family Office practice, and SVB’s Startup Banking, which supports entrepreneurs and startups at their earliest stages. John is a long-standing member of SVB Capital’s Operating Committee. John has been a partner to entrepreneurs and their investors to help accelerate their growth. He is a part of SVB’s Executive Committee and has led Technology Banking teams across the US specializing in software, internet, hardware, infrastructure, private equity, venture capital and premium wine. He has also been responsible for the company’s Corporate Venturing Group, Early-Stage banking services, SVB’s Global Gateway program, the Credit Solutioning Group and Corporate Finance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University.
NOEL COLON
SVP, Chief Quality Officer, Medtronic
noel-colon6441358b Global quality and regulatory affairs executive in the medical device sector. He partners with the business groups and global regions to assure end-to-end quality, reliability and regulatory compliance, from development through manufacturing, distribution and end-customer use. He is responsible for driving the strategic direction for the quality and regulatory affairs programs through the implementation of policy and standards across Medtronic. He joined Medtronic in 2008 as senior director of Manufacturing and Supplier Quality for Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management. Most recently, Noel served as vice president of quality for the Restorative Therapies Group from 2017-2019. Prior to this role, he was VP of Medtronic Energy and Component Center and CRDM pharmaceutical operations from 2012-2017. From 2011-2012, he served as VP of manufacturing and supplier quality for the Cardiac and Vascular Group. Previously, Noel spent 17 years at Boston Scientific (Guidant), where he held several leadership roles in manufacturing, process development and quality for the cardiac rhythm management division at Minnesota, Ireland and Puerto Rico.
NANETTE COCERO
Global President for Pfizer Vaccines
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Strong background on research and 18 years in Pfizer working with emerging markets, and vaccine development. She had an impressive role with the Covid-19 Vaccine he leads the development, commercialization and delivery of innovative vaccines to drive the prevention of serious and life-threatening conditions managing a diverse vaccines portfolio and a global team of 1,500. She’s been active in biopharmaceutical industry groups such as the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, where served as Chair of the Vaccine CEO Steering Committee from 2019-2020. With 18 years at Pfizer, Nanette has had roles touching every market of the world with an eye toward innovation in the way healthcare is delivered. Prior to leading Vaccines, she was Regional President, Emerging Markets for Pfizer’s Innovative Health business, overseeing business operations for more than 100 countries. Prior to Pfizer, she worked for 10 years as a management consultant and served as a Research Fellow for the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Pharmacology. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Cornell University, a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from The Wharton Business School.
PATRICIO DIAZ
Head of Capital Markets - GWIM, Merrill Lynch
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Investment management executive experienced in capital markets products andplatforms including secondary equities, secondary fixed income, new issues, ultra-highnet worth solutions, and market-linked investments. Patricio Diaz has 16 years of professional experience in the financial advisory industry. Diaz holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses, qualifying them as a securities broker. Diaz can advise customers based out of Connecticut and Texas. Diaz has worked most of his career at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. He also worked with Citigroup Global Markets and Gulf Coast Funding with structuring investments and global markets. Diaz holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and a MS in Mechanical Engineering from University of South Florida. LATINO LEADERS JULY / AUGUST 2021
GUILLERMO DIAZ, JR.
CEO, Kloudspot
guillermo-diaz-jr Transformative global business leader and innovator focused on accelerating culture through people, process, and technology. A transformative global business leader and champion of inclusion and diversity. Before Kloudspot Inc., he was a transformational innovator across Cisco and broadly in the industry, developing a strong track record for accelerating culture through people, process, and technology. Cisco’s Global CIO. His focus was driving the business acceleration critical to the agile, digital transformation of Cisco, its customers, and partners. He then developed the Customer Digital Transformation program, where he and his team leveraged Cisco’s own digital journey and thought leadership to partner with customers on their transformation programs. Guillermo began his career in telecommunications with the U.S. Navy, with a BS degree in BA from Regis University in Colorado. Prior to Cisco, he held senior IT leadership positions with Silicon Graphics, Intelligent Electronics (Ingram Micro), and Alza Corporation.
JOSE GONZALEZ
Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Equitable
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Senior executive with over 25 years of in-house and private practice legal and compliance experience within publicly-listed and private global organizations. Before Equitable, González was EVP & General Counsel for CNA Insurance, serving as principal counsel to the CEO, senior management team and board of directors. He led the Law Department and was responsible for legal affairs, compliance, regulatory and government affairs, corporate secretary affairs, securities and litigation. Prior to joining CNA, he was Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at QBE North America, and Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Torus Insurance. He also held numerous leadership roles over the course of 12 years within the legal function of AIG. González holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor from the Columbia University School of Law.
MIRIAM HERNANDEZKAKOL
Global Head-Management Consulting, KPMG / Partner, KPMG US
miriamhernandez-kakol1123a7115 Operations executive with 20+ years of transformational experience consulting in thecommunications and media industry. She plays a significant, strategic role in building and executing the practice’s strategy and in continuing the business’ double-digit growth momentum. As part of this role, she is responsible for swiftly driving initiatives and programs that impact KPMG’s relevance in the marketplace and ability to drive new solutions – thus enhancing trust and accelerating growth. Her mandate includes driving KPMG’s global priority solutions of Powered and Connected enterprises. Before she led the firm’s Global Customer and Operations practice, which is focused on delivering industry-specific solutions for the front and middle office challenges of Fortune 500 clients. In this role, she oversaw a team of more than 2,000 partners and professionals. Miriam oversees more than 300 partners and professionals serving the client globally. In this role she has helped her client to transform its corporate services organization, namely finance.
OFELIA KUMPF
U.S. Field Vice President, McDonald’s USA
ofelia-kumpf International food and beverage operations executive with over 20 years of experience in quick-service foodservice. Ofelia first joined McDonald’s in 1992 as a manager trainee in the U.S. and later in Latin America. In Latin America, she was responsible for the Operations deployment plans of the Andean countries, Central America, and Puerto Rico. There she served on the Operations Board for the Latin America Group which helped create Operational Excellence, the Mystery Shop Program, and the grading system that supports the Franchising Standards of the McDonald’s Franchising Agreement. In 2013, she served as Vice President and General Manager for the SoCal Region, until July 2018 when she was promoted to her current role. Ofelia earned her MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.
MARIA LENSING
SVP and CTO, Engineering, Infrastructure & Operations at McKesson Consistent and empowering leader with many years of experience of making corporations grow through technology platforms Prior to McKesson, Maria served as Vice President of Healthcare Solutions at AT&T Business, where she was responsible for developing and delivering integrated technology solutions to fuel large-scale digital transformations in the top 1500 healthcare companies worldwide. She held various leadership roles including chief of staff to the CEO for AT&T Business. Maria has a long legacy of engineering, sales and leadership success built on a foundation of innovation. She has a strong track record of delivering results, including transforming an organization to focus on the company’s strategic imperatives and collaborating across many groups to secure its implementation. She was very successful in providing solutions to AT&T’s largest clients to enable their own digital transformations and in accelerating Rockwell Collins’ technical operations to exceed their goals. Maria has a BS in Electrical Engineering and a MS in Engineering Management from Christian Brothers University.
ESTEBAN LÓPEZ
Market Lead - Healthcare and Life Sciences, Americas at Google Cloud
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Results-oriented physician leader recognized as a change agent and healthcare thought leader with proven success in P+L and medical management. López is the Americas healthcare and life sciences Market Lead at Google Cloud with multinational executive responsibility for strategy and solutions development. He previously served as chief medical officer for clinical strategy and innovation at Health Care Service Corporation, the fourth largest health insurer in the U.S. and the nation's largest member-owned health insurance company. Prior to this position, he was president and chief medical officer of the southwest Texas region for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He also currently serves on the board of directors of Addus HomeCare (Nasdaq: ADUS). He earned his B.A. in biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, and his MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas. López remains a practicing physician and he is dual board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics.
MAYBEL MARTE
Managing Director, Head of Leveraged Finance Product Strategy, Global Credit Group, BlackRock
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Financial product strategist delivering solutions in product development, marketing, and client service. Marte focuses on developing credit solutions for both institutional and retail clients, across our Bank Loans, High Yield and CLO offerings. In this role, she is responsible for product development, marketing and client service.Prior to BlackRock, she was a SVP at PIMCO in the US Institutional Client Management group. While at PIMCO from 2010 to 2016, she was responsible for servicing and marketing to large corporations, multi-national agencies and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining PIMCO in early 2010, Marte held positions in fixed income institutional sales for over 9 years, of which 7 years was spent at Goldman Sachs on the High Yield-Distressed Bond desk and the balance at FBR Capital Markets. She received her Masters of Business Administration from The Wharton School and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wellesley College.
RODRIGO MAZON
EVP & GM SVOD Univision Communications Inc.
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Media and entertainment executive driving programming strategy as well as tv/ film co-productions and acquisitions for Latin America, Spain and the US Hispanic market. Rodrigo joined the content team at Netflix in April of 2015, before his current position at Univision. Prior to Netflix, he spent almost 4 years at Hulu, also in content acquisitions, managing various content categories. Rodrigo started his career in media/entertainment in 2001, when he worked in corporate development at MGM Studios managing the film greenlight process. Originally from San Diego, he studied undergrad at Dartmouth College, and received his MBA at Stanford University. He enjoys cooking, skiing, cycling, and lives in Los Angeles with his wife Linda, and his children, Valentina and Lorenzo.
SANDRA RIVERA
Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Datacenter and AI Group at Intel Corporation
sandra-rivera6a24291 Highly effective executive with a high performance record in many areas with a human perspective and working with Corporate cultures. She leads Intel’s development of leadership data center products for a cloud-based world, including Intel® Xeon® and field programmable gate array products. She also drives the company’s overall artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and product roadmap. Before her current role, Rivera was Intel’s chief people officer, leading the company’s Human Resources organization worldwide. She also previously led the Network Platforms Group of over 3,000 employees that drove the transformation of network infrastructure to Intel-based solutions and enabled breakthrough ways to integrate Intel’s silicon and software portfolio to create greater customer value. Rivera joined Intel in 2000 as a marketing director after the acquisition of Dialogic Corp. Before joining Intel, Rivera co-founded and served as president of The CTI Authority and served as president of the computer telephony division at Catalyst Telecom. She holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
CASEY SANTOS
Chief Information Officer, Asurion
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Senior business technology executive with a focus on strategically enabling positive business outcomes via innovative technology and operational change. Casey joined Asurion in March 2021 coming from Alliance Bernstein where she was SVP, Head of Business Process Innovation, Workflow and Automation. She also has previous experience as CIO of General Atlantic, and as Director of Information Technology at McKinsey and Company. She started her career at NASA, supporting over 20 space shuttle missions, including the first MIR docking mission and the Hubble Telescope repair mission. Casey holds an MBA and MA in International Studies from The Wharton School and the Lauder Institute, and a BS in Engineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. LATINO LEADERS JULY / AUGUST 2021
JESUS SOTO, JR.
Chief Operating Officer, Mears Group, Inc. / President/CEO, JSJR & Associates, Inc.
jesus-soto6bb7741 Natural gas industry executive focus on operations and cyber security affecting fieldand pipeline systems. Mears is an industry leading energy infrastructure solutions provider that offers engineering & construction services to the oil & gas pipeline, gasdistribution, electric transmission & distribution, telecom, water & wastewater, and pipeline integrity markets, with operations throughout North America and internationally. Before joining Mears in 2019, Soto was SVP of Gas Operations for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). He led the day-to-day operations of the second largest natural gas system in the U.S. Through Soto’s leadership, PG&E became the first utility in the United States to earn several notable third- party certifications around pipeline safety and asset management. Before joining PG&E in 2012, Soto served as VP of Operations Services for El Paso Corporation’s Pipeline Group in Houston, Texas. He led the technical services and support functions forpipeline operations and oversaw measurement, compression reservoir and pipeline systems and DOT compliance. Soto holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UT El Paso, a master’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.
PEGGY TURNER
VP-Lexus-Customer Retention and Loyalty, Toyota Motor North America
peggy-turner86b378a Extensive expertise in strategic planning, business process improvement, customersatisfaction, and supply chain optimization. Peggy Turner joined PRA Group’s Board of Directors on June 10, 2021. From 1991 to 2020, she held multiple positions at Toyota Motors including Vice President, Lexus Customer Satisfaction and Vice President, Toyota Customer Relations. She is actively involved in Toyota Motors’ diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, serving as the executive advisor to Social Innovation, a diversity and inclusion support member on the Diversity Advisory Board, and the Executive Sponsor of the Latino Employee Resource Group and representing Lexus at events such as the Women in Automotive Summit and Women Panel for New York Auto Show. Turner holds her M.B.A. from Loyola Marymount University and B.A. from University of California Irvine.
ANILU VAZQUEZUBARRI
Partner/Chief Human Resource Officer, TPG Global
anilu-vazquezubarri-2aa67031 Global human resources executive focused on evolving and driving the firm’s leadership, talent and diversity strategies. TPG is based in San Francisco. Prior to joining TPG in 2018, Anilu was with Goldman Sachs for more than 11 years, where she most recently was the firm’s Global Head of Talent and Chief Diversity Officer. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Anilu was an associate at Shearman & Sterling LLP in the Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits group from 2002 to 2007. Anilu received an AB in History and Latin American Studies, cum laude, from Princeton University and a JD from Fordham University School of Law. Anilu currently serves on the Boards of Teach for America-Bay Area, Greenhouse, Upwork and the Fordham University School of Law Alumni Board.
CARLA VERNON
VP Consumables Categories, Amazon
carlainspired Accomplished executive and dynamic enterprise leader widely recognized for catapulting consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands through innovation. In a 21-year career, she lead financial, strategic and environmental stewardship strategy for a portfolio of acquired businesses including Annie’s, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and EPIC at General Mills until 2020. Previously, Carla led the $1.5 Billion portfolio of snack brands including Nature Valley and Larabar and the $1.7 Billion portfolio of family favorite General Mills Cereals. She has also worked in Corporate Strategy and M&A. Carla is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, a member of The Executive Leadership Council, and The Alumni Society (for Latino senior leaders). Prior to joining General Mills, Carla worked for U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun and The Nature Conservancy. She received her BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Texas, Austin (as a Consortium Fellow).
HEATHER VON ZUBEN
Partner/Head of Private Equity Client Engagement and Product Strategy, Alternatives Capital Markets and Strategy, Asset Management, Goldman Sachs Experienced business development professional skilled in Investment Management, Capital Markets and Investment Strategies, including Private Equity, Credit, Real Estate and Hedge Funds. Heather has a 16-year career at Goldman Sachs performing in roles like Managing Director, Vice President and Partner. In 2006 she left Davis & Wardell to Join Goldman Sachs.
MEXICAN BOARD CANDIDATES FOR F500 CORPORATIONS.
In Collaboration with Korn Ferry Mexico, Latino Leaders researched for some relevant executives in Mexico, that are or could be doing a fantastic job as Board Directors for F500 Corporations. Below are just a few we selected.
Jorge Arce Chief Executive Officer of the HSBC Financial Group in Mexico
Victor Cairo
Chief executive Officer of ArcelorMittal Mexico
Jaime Chico Pardo
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ENESA He reports directly to Headquarters of HSBC in London. He has had extensive Board Experience as noted in his cv including principally Grupo Coppel, Mexico’s largest private retail and financial sector company
A highly successful and effective CEO of the giant steel and mining Mittal operation in Mexico. Pivotal to the grow of the Mexico operation and is in constant communication and involvement with the leaders of the industry at a global level.
An experienced and successful Chief Executive Officer with a long story of managing, investing and with Board practice as well.
Silvia Davila
She has full responsibilities for the region with annual sales of $2 billion dollars.
Regional President for Mexico/Latin America of the Danone Food Group. Arce was appointed HSBC Mexico Chief Executive Officer and led the Bank through the worst health and financial crisis in Mexico and the world in many generations. This happened while he was leading the digital transformation of the bank. Between 2016 and 2019, he was the Deputy General Director of Santander Mexico, in charge of its Wholesale Banking business with annual revenues of over 600 million. Jorge spent 21 years at Deutsche Bank in various roles. Between 2011 and 2016, he was CEO and President of Deutsche Bank Mexico, SA. where he led several landmark transactions such as the Initial Public Offerings of Banco Santander Mexico, IENova, Volaris, Nemak and Credito Real. Also, Deutsche Bank Mexico executed Pemex’s sale of its Repsol equity stake and led the issuance of the America Movil’s convertible bond into KPN shares. Before that he had several leading positions in the asset and wealth management areas. He earned a BA from Pace University.
Cairo was appointed CEO in July 2013, since then has led the company to make an investment of 1,000 million dollars in Lazaro Cardenas for the generation of added value and take the company to a new level of 5.3 million tons of steel per year (main producer of crude steel in the country). Among his main achievements since 2013 is the reduction of 20% of effective personnel, reduction of fixed and variable costs to improve the profitability of the company and its growth. Victor entered to ArcelorMittal group in 2000 as Plant Manager for the construction and start-up of the tubular plant and steel service center in Monterrey to support the automotive industry (built in record time, within plan and on budget). He has extensive professional experience in the steel sector, in the general manufacturing sector, as well as steel processing and generating value throughout the supply chain thanks to his time at Caterpillar (10 years) and Prolec-General Electric (4 years).
He held various executive positions in some of Mexico's most important and influential companies, including CEO of Euzkadi-General Tire de Mexico, president and CEO of Grupo Condumex, S.A. de C.V., and as a senior executive at Fimbursa, an investment bank. By 2005, under his leadership as vice chairman and CEO, TELMEX (Telefonos de Mexico), the country's largest private sector company, experienced tremendous growth and expansion. Chico Pardo oversaw TELMEX's transition into a deregulated long-distance market and emphasized that “going outside Mexico was a necessity” to staying competitive. TELMEX acquired a series of new assets in 2005, many sold at bargain prices by U.S. players exiting the region or in bankruptcy. Integrating these new holdings and adding value for TELMEX was a challenge, which Chico Pardo addressed by pursuing a local strategy in each nation while leveraging the pan-regional network. To stay at the top, Chico Pardo sought to reinvent TELMEX from a local telephone monopoly into a global high-tech multimedia company. Jaime Chico Pardo holds an MBA in 1974 from the University of Chicago.
She excels at leading significant business transformations – from financial turnarounds and re-igniting growth in core businesses to building manufacturing operations, distribution capabilities and digital transformations. Silvia began her career in 1989 at McDonald's Mexico, joined Procter & Gamble in 1992, as part of the Marketing staff, in 1999 she was Marketing Director based in Caracas. In 2004, she signed with Mars Mexico, where she performed the roles of General Manager for the Chocolates division and General Manager for the Pet division. In 2014, she became VP and CMO for Global Food and was based in Belgium. In 2017, she joined Danone as Regional President LATAM, Dairy and Plant based. Since 2020 Silvia is Member of the Global Executive Committee in Danone, and now she oversees all the Waters and EDP business in the Region. She graduated with honors from the BA of Marketing at UNITEC, then completed a Master’s in Business Economics at the ITESM CM.
Luiz Ferezin
Retired as Accenture's Mexico office head. Global Executive with large experience in Latin America, having also worked in the US and Germany. Broad experience in different areas and supported large clients throughout their transformation process integrating Strategy, People, Process and Digital to achieve relevant results. Strong connections in Mexico and Brazil in most sectors enabling a very good understanding of each countries challenges and opportunities. Digital Evangelist and Investor. After a 16-year long very successful career as head of Accenture Mexico he retired and currently serves in two very prominent Boards in Mexico: The Alsea Group of several restaurants chains for Latin America and parts of Europe including such major brands as Starbucks, Domino’s, etc,. etc. Recently he was chosen for one of Mexico’s prestigious Boards, The ABC’s Hospitals
Jeronimo Gerard
President and CEO of MRP Group
Paulo Maia
Chairman of HSBC Latin America One of the brightest Senior Executives in Mexico, currently President/CEO of Mexico Retail Properties, and investment and management platforms for alternative assets in real estate, infrastructure and private equity.
A Brazilian executive who has resided in Mexico for six years as President of HSBC for Mexico and Latin America. Recognized as one of the largest institutional fund managers, the real estate arm of MRP Group has invested over 1.25 billion in more than 80 assets including commercial, office and hospitality. He founded Institutional Infrastructure (I2), an infrastructure investment platform, which was acquired by Blackrock in 2015. He recently created Mexico Opportunity Fund (MXO), a private equity platform with over US$ 400 million in capital. Prior to MRP, he served as CFO for Telefonica Moviles Mexico, the largest mobile phone operator company in Mexico. Before that, he worked as CEO of Telefonica B2B as responsible of the operations restructuring in the US, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. He worked for Goldman Sachs & Co in the M&A and investment banking practice in NY. Gerard graduated from the MBA program of the Stanford Graduate School of Business and holds a Bd in Economics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM).
A seasoned international executive with a solid background and track record in financial services in developed and emerging markets. He started his career in Brazil in 1982 with JP Morgan Chase before joining the HSBC Group in 1993. He has worked and lived in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, UK and USA. Until the end of March 2021 he was a Group Managing Director of HSBC Holdings PLC and CEO of Latin America since 2015 based in Mexico City. Other relevant positions included President & CEO of HSBC Bank Canada 2012 - 2015, CEO of HSBC Bank Australia 2009-2012 and Deputy CEO of HSBC Bank Brazil 2007 – 2009. He was a member of the Group Management Board, the HSBC Group highest executive committee, from 2013 to 2020. He obtained his Bachelor´s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in and later attended a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering at the same university.
Jose Antonio Meade
Former Candidate for Mexico's Presidency
Roberto Mercade
President of the Mexico Zone for Coca-Cola Co.
Experienced public
administrator that was one of the financial gurus for many recent administrations in Mexico's PRI governments. He has a remmarkable reputation which led to his candidacy in 2018 Meade is currently Board Director for HSBC and Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation which seeks to enhance political visibility of climate resilience, a non-executive Director of ALFA General Board, a petrochemical company listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange, and performs consulting, project finance and academic activities. From 2011 and 2017 he held Cabinet-level positions in the federal government of Mexico, including acting as Secretary of Finance and Public Credit, Secretary of Social Development, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Secretary of Energy. Prior to his appointment to the Cabinet, he served as Undersecretary and as Chief of Staff in the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, among many other government administrative positions. He studied economics and law from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, before receiving a PhD in Economics from Yale University.
He has an outstanding experience and achievements with the Coca-Cola Company in four continents and currently residing in Mexico City as President of the Mexico zone which is Coca-Cola’s second largest market in the world. His current scope of responsibility also includes the Stills Beverages business for all of the Latin America Region. Previously President of the Latin Center Business Unit with base in Colombia, where he championed a new regional vision that reversed losses and delivered the highest engagement and net promoter scores companywide. Prior to that, as President of the South Pacific Business Unit in Australia, Roberto widened his repertoire to include developed market expertise. It was his role as General Manager of South Africa that gave Roberto a better understanding of the full value chain of the franchised distribution model. Roberto’s career also includes leadership over Venezuela and the Caribbean as General Manager during severe sociopolitical unrest. Through strategies focused on market-share retention and business continuity, he proved his ability to create resilient organizations and carry them through crises. He earned his Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
A seasoned banker with a long experience in investment and commercial operations. Also very well versed in managing bank relationships at the highest level of regulation agencies and governemt.
Luis Peña Kegel Founding Partner & Co-Chairman of Silvergreen Capital For seven years (2008 – 2015) Luis served as CEO of HSBC Mexico having increased profitability substantially and as of 2016 he was promoted to Vice-Chairman, Global Banking and Markets for the entire Latin America Region. Before joining HSBC Luis served as CEO for Banorte, the largest Mexican commercial bank with 1200 branches and 17,000 employees (between 2004 – 2008). After finishing his MBA at Stanford University, Luis joined Citibanamex where he developed a fast growth career between 1983 and 2004. He obtained a BA in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Iberoamericana and an MBA from Stanford University.
John Santa Maria
As a strong example of Mexicans/ Americans working in Mexico in high level positions, John Santa María, is the Chief Executive Officer of Coca Cola FEMSA, the largest Coca Cola bottling franchise in the world (a public company).
Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola FEMSA.
Luis Tellez Kuenzler
Doctor’s Degree in Economics from MIT, and a vast experience as top financial advisor and cabinet member for the Mexico’s government. He currently serves on the Global Board of Chubb Insurance and formerly for five years also on the Global Board of Sempra Energy.
President of KKR Private Equity Firm for Mexico. With previous experience in McKinsey & Company and PepsiCo, he joined Coca-Cola FEMSA in 1995 where he served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Mexico, Strategic Planning and Mergers & Acquisitions Officer, Strategic Planning & Commercial Development Officer, and COO of Coca-Cola FEMSA’s South American Division. As of January 1, 2014, the Board of Directors appointed him to the position of CEO of Coca-Cola FEMSA. He is currently a member of the Board of Coca-Cola FEMSA; a member of the Board of Gentera, leaders of financial inclusion with a presence in Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala. He holds both a Bachelor and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Southern Methodist University.
Chairman and CEO of the Mexican Stock Exchange from 2009 to 2014. He served as Mexico’s Secretary of Communications and Transportation and Secretary of Energy. He also served as Chief of Staff to President Ernesto Zedillo from 1994 to 1997. Since 2015, he has led the operations in Mexico of KKR & Co. Inc. He served as President of the NTT consulting firm Everis in Mexico Prior to the MSE, he was Managing Director of the Carlyle Group (investment firm) in Mexico (2003-2006) and CEO of Desc (2001-2003), a Mexican industrial conglomerate. Tellez earned a PhD in economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He currently serves as a director of two public companies in Mexico, Cultiva and Grupo Aereoportuario del Pacífico, and was a director of Sempra Energy until 2015.
