Mexico City, March 5, 2026.—In observance of International Women’s Day, the Student Association of Ciudad Panamericana organized the forum Being a Woman: Voice, Decision, and Action, a forum where prominent professionals shared their reflections on the challenges and opportunities women face in the professional sphere.
Real-Time Justice: The Power to Tell Stories, Validate, and Take Action
The first panel featured Ana Cecilia Giorgana, Corporate Counsel at Google; Dalia Grinberg, Corporate Affairs Operations Manager at Bitso; and Claudia Robles Martínez, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Government and Economics at the Universidad Panamericana, who served as the event’s moderator.
During the discussion, the panelists emphasized the importance of ongoing professional development, the visibility of women's talent, and active participation in decision-making forums.
In this context, Ana Cecilia Giorgana, M.A., noted: “We must continue to study and specialize; it is also important to highlight our achievements, what we do, and what we do well.”
In turn, Dalia Grinberg stated that it is important to start taking up space, listening, speaking out, and taking the initiative without waiting for someone else to tell you to do so first.
Both agreed on the need to strengthen support networks and promote sisterhood as a key element in the professional growth of more women.
Finally, they concluded that there is feminism is being rediscovered and that it is not merely a matter of choosing between a career and motherhood, but of moving toward a model of work-life balance under conditions of greater equity.
Exponential Impact: Multiplying Change
The second panel featured Gabriela León Gutiérrez, an engineer and developer of the Nbelyax nanomolecule; Norma Castro, executive director of Financial Inclusion and general manager of Tuiio Santander; Karla Vargas, marketing director at Viva Aerobus ; and Maria Fernanda Peña, president of the Industrial Engineering student body and vice president of the Student Association at the Universidad Panamericana, who served as moderator.
This session highlighted the role of women as agents of change within organizations, emphasizing that leadership does not depend solely on holding management positions, but on the ability to make an impact from any role.
In turn, Karla Vargas emphasized the importance of understanding the impact organizations are seeking to achieve.
“You don’t need to be in a leadership position; what’s important is learning to recognize the impact you can have on your companies and teams. This will add a lot of value, not only for you, but also for the environment around you,” he said .
Transforming the community
The forum addressed the main challenges women face in their professional development, including persistent structural barriers and gender stereotypes.
In this regard, the topic of motherhood and work was discussed. Gabriela León Gutiérrez spoke about the importance of supporting women in organizations: “When we give a woman an opportunity, we are giving an entire family an opportunity.”
Karla Vargas also spoke about becoming a sponsor for younger women—an experience in which, beyond simply being a mentor, one acts as a leader who actively fosters their growth by opening up opportunities and highlighting their talent.
What can we do when we encounter these obstacles?
In light of the challenges that still remain, the panelists shared strategies for addressing them. Norma Castro outlined three steps that have helped her throughout her career:
- Consistent preparation, as the foundation for building trust and credibility.
- Building networks and partnerships, recognizing that growth is not a solitary journey.
- Results-oriented execution, demonstrating professional competence through concrete achievements.
“To deliver compelling results, to prove through action that, as a woman, I could indeed achieve what her narrow-mindedness thought I couldn’t. To demonstrate that ability and not be afraid or downplay ourselves just to fit into those environments,” she shared .
An institutional commitment to women's leadership
The forum concluded with a call to view professional development as a driver of social transformation, in which individual growth translates into collective impact.
Through this event, the Universidad Panamericana its commitment to holistic education and to fostering environments that promote leadership, participation, and professional development among women in Mexico.
