Highlighting Our April 2023 Programming in Mexico City

On April 25, more than 40 senior finance executives from multilatinas, multinationals, and major Mexican companies convened at the Four Seasons Hotel to discuss the evolution of the finance sector to kick off the our 2023 CFO Forums Series. Topics included Mexico’s outlook, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), and nearshoring opportunities. This private, by-invitation-only forum was moderated by Bank of America Mexico Managing Director Martín Barrios followed by a presentation on Mexico’s economic landscape and future expectations by Deputy Governor of Banco de México Galia Borja.

The forum's second session focused on AI’s transformative role in financial operations, with expert insight provided by Jaime Marijuan, Global Product Marketing Leader, OneStream Software; Narciso Campos, Partner, Capital Markets, White & Case; and Diego de Bel Belluz, CFO Mexico, Novartis. The last session of the forum focused on nearshoring and Mexico’s opportunity to attract North American production, with insights from Fernando Álvarez Toca, CFO, Fibra Uno (FUNO); Jose Antonio Martinez Gonzalez, CFO Mexico & LatAm North, Medtronic; Alejandro Raya, VP of Business Development, DHL Supply Chain Mexico; and Carlos Diaz de la Garza, Country Head, Moody’s.

On the same day, the Council of the Americas hosted a private reception and dinner for corporate members in Mexico City. Over 30 executives came together to discuss key topics for Mexico, such as the economic potential for nearshoring. The session was chaired by AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal and was part of COA’s 2023 Mexico Series, sponsored by MetLife.

AS/COA held a Women’s Hemispheric Network conference in Mexico City for the sixth time, on April 28. Nearly 300 attendees joined the half-day event for networking and to hear panels, advice, and conversations with top officials, entrepreneurs, and private-sector leaders. Topics ranged from boosting flexibility in the labor market to inclusion in the finance sector and the digital economy. Speakers included Deputy Finance Minister of Mexico Gabriel Yorio, Dalia Empower’s Gina Díez Barroso, Stori Card’s Marlene Garayzar, Senator Claudia Ruiz Massieu, and more. 

Speakers also discussed the obstacles. Telefónica’s Ana de Saracho pointed out that out of seven people studying for a STEM career, only one is a woman. Seguros Monterrey New York Life’s Guadalupe Huerta told the audience: “We have to be wiling to risk failure. It’s hard for us, and I think that even more than a company punishing you, it’s your internal voice that’s punishing you all the time. So go for it—take the risk of failing. Open yourself up to it.”

• Learn more about the Women’s Hemispheric Network at: www.as-coa.org/women
• Watch individual videos of panels and conversations at the conference. 
• Watch the video of the full program below: