Mexico City, March 14, 2024.- The Business & Management Alumni Society of Mexico City, Mexico, March 14, 2024. Business & Management of the Universidad PanamericanaThe Business & Management Alumni Society, Ciudad Panamericana campus, held the Being a Woman, Entrepreneur and Leader Congress. This event served as a tribute to the strength, creativity and determination of women who defy limits and transcend expectations, highlighting that female leadership is not only crucial for social progress, but also a reflection of the inherent dignity of every woman, deserving of celebration and empowerment.
The congress was attended by Dr . Fernanda Llergo Bay, General Rector of UP and IPADE; Dr. Santiago García Álvarez, Rector of Campus Mexico; Ms. Cecilia Canal Garrido, Vice Rector; Dr. María José García, Director of the Panamerican High School for Women; and Ms. Catalina Echavarría, Secretary of Student Affairs of Ciudad Panamericana, on behalf of Universidad Panamericana.
Living without a narrative that divides
Dr. Llergo emphasized: "Today being a woman is to live without a narrative that divides, but that adds up. This relationship should not be understood as living in competition between men and women, on the contrary, it should be added as it always integrates unity, both contribute equally.
"For this reason, we must join in the family, at work, in our social, political and community relations. Our country needs citizens committed to these ideals," he said.
Prospects for success
At the first panel entitled Perspectives of Success, women in leadership positions, the guests discussed how women are defying stereotypes and occupying leadership roles in various sectors and organizations.
Claudia Ruiz Sántiz, first indigenous Mexican chef to be included on the list 50 nextShe said: "I had to break down the barriers, which are so pitiful, from my village, my community; break down the machismo from my father, brothers or partner".
She also shared: "I started to do different things, I prepared myself, I sought a professional degree, since my goal was to improve the quality of life for me, for the women in my family and for my fellow countrywomen. I looked for job opportunities where I had to break with machismo and the idea that only chefs should be men in the kitchen, and tell them 'I can do it'. Today my projects benefit above all the people who are in the same condition I was in.
Pola Salmún, director of Institutional Relations of the Museum of Memory and Tolerance, said: "For me, prejudices and stereotypes are a mental laziness. If you are going to be a leader of something you must be human and know that you are dealing with human beings, give people opportunities, so you have to fight against that vision that limits".
Maria Ariza, CEO of BIVA MX, commented: "Those of us present here are beneficiaries of most of the facilities that allow us to have a university career, therefore, today that we live in a transition project, this commits all women, we must be aware that we can, that we are responsible for returning to our community and to our country, what it has given us.
Alumni, mother and director
At the dialogue table Being an alumni, mother and directorThe discussion focused on how to dignify the work of caregiving. Not only the challenges, but also the satisfactions of integrating these vital roles were explored.
In this regard, Luisa Suárez, CEO of Vitalmex and Panamericana alumni, said: "You need to change the paradigm and have a system that allows us to have a stay for our children while we work (...) It is very difficult to be a mother and a director, because there is a lack of support, so I believe that success in this is to achieve balance, to live an integral life, that the support of men for women is not lost, that chivalry is not lost and, above all, that support among women is not lost".
While Andrea AmozurrutiaDirector of Finance and Sustainability at Grupo Herdez, also an alumna, said: "For me, success is focused on enjoying the present moment. I feel privileged to be able to enjoy every moment of my life. She also added: "Today the feminism movement is no longer only about women and I support them, men also have a great responsibility and must work to change the culture.
Integral development, self-care and leadership
Finally, in the panel on Integral development, self-care and women's leadershipRomina Contreras, municipal president of Huixquilucan, State of Mexico; Azucena Álvarez, CHRO of Bacardí Mexico; and Maricruz Arruabarrena, Head of Business Strategy at Isomar Capital, participated in the panel on Integral development, self-care and women's leadership.
In this, several questions related to self-care practices, the promotion of gender equality in Mexican society, necessary structural changes and how to establish female leadership in unfavorable environments were addressed.
Romina stressed the importance of respecting sleep hours and time discipline, while Maricruz emphasized solidarity among women and the need to set limits. Similarly, Azucena mentioned energy management as a key to success.
Education as a fundamental pillar
Finally, Marielena Servitje, president of the company Siete Colores, and Vice Chancellor Cecilia Canal, highlighted the importance of education in the formation of conscious leaders.
Dr. Garcia concluded: "The most valuable thing about this type of forum is to see testimonies of life, of concrete people, in this case many successful women, who have given us their life experience and have given us practical experiences of how to overcome these challenges and, without a doubt, it is a great learning experience to listen to these voices.
In closing, Rafael Guerra, president of the Business & Management alumni society of Ciudad Panamericana, invited those present to share the knowledge acquired and advocated for equity, urging men to be allies and break glass ceilings.
Learn more about the Business & Management degree at: https://www.up.edu.mx/educacion-facultad-de-empresariales-oferta-academica-licenciatura-en-administracion-y-direccion-cdmx/
