mxconference2025.com

21,22,23

Feb

Harvard Kennedy School

INTRODUCTION

We are a student-led conference from the Harvard Kennedy School, dedicated to exploring Mexico’s vibrant and complex political, social, economic, and cultural landscape. Since its inception, the Mexico Conference has served as a platform to foster meaningful dialogue, bringing together experts, policymakers, academics, and leaders from various sectors to engage in thoughtful discussions about the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the country.

The 2025 edition marks the eighth year of this impactful tradition, underscoring our commitment to creating spaces for exchange and collaboration. This year, we aim to address a wide array of critical issues, from governance and economic development to social justice, innovation, and cultural expression. Our goal is to inspire actionable insights, generate fresh perspectives, and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future for Mexico.

PANELISTS

Jorge Álvarez Máynez

Claudia Ruiz Massieu

Luis Arturo Villar Sudek

José Manuel Torres

Regina García Cuellar

Víctor González Herrera

Julio Santaella

Reyes Rodríguez Mondragón

María Isabel Grañén Porrúa

Elizabeth Martínez Álvarez

Kenneth Smith

Juan Carlos Natale

Mariana Calderón Aramburu

Mateo Diego-Fernández Andrade

Jorge Schiavon

Elena Ríos

Minés de la Fuente

Rodrigo Pérez-Alonso González

Martín Vivanco

Eunice Rendón

Carlos Cardini

Silvia Olmedo

Iván Durán

Mónica Lugo

Mauricio Meschoulam

Arielle Ortiz-Bollin

Isaac Kohab

Jorge Álvarez Máynez is a prominent politician and member of the Movimiento Ciudadano party. He holds a degree in International Relations from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO) and a Master’s in Public Administration and Public Policy from the Tecnológico de Monterrey. Álvarez Máynez began his political career as a local deputy in the Congress of Zacatecas from 2010 to 2013. He later served as a federal deputy in the LXIII and LXV Legislatures of the Mexican Congress, where he was known for his advocacy on transparency, anti-corruption, and human rights issues. In January 2024, he was nominated as Movimiento Ciudadano’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections, positioning himself as a youthful alternative in Mexican politics.

Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas, born on July 10, 1972, in Mexico City, is a prominent Mexican lawyer and politician. She earned her law degree from the Universidad Iberoamericana and holds a master’s in comparative politics from FLACSO Mexico. Ruiz Massieu has held significant positions, including serving as Secretary of Tourism from 2012 to 2015 and as Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2017 under President Enrique Peña Nieto. She also served as President of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) from 2018 to 2019. In 2024, she was elected as a federal deputy representing Mexico City for the Movimiento Ciudadano party

Luis Arturo Villar Sudek, better known as Luisito Comunica, is a Mexican content creator, entrepreneur, and traveler born on March 20, 1991, in Puebla, Mexico. He is one of the most popular YouTubers in the Spanish-speaking world, renowned for his travel and lifestyle channel, where he documents cultural and culinary experiences from around the globe. Villar Sudek studied Communication Sciences at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), but his passion for creating content led him to explore the digital world before completing his degree. He began his YouTube journey in 2012 with a channel called “Piano para Gente Cool,” but rose to fame by shifting his focus to travel and global everyday life under the name Luisito Comunica.

In addition to his YouTube success, where he has amassed over 40 million subscribers, Luisito has ventured into various projects. He has published books such as Lugares Asombrosos and Japón con Ji and launched his own clothing brand, “Rey Palomo,” as well as a tequila brand, “Gran Malo.” He has also worked as a voice actor, radio host, and entrepreneur. His authentic, charismatic, and approachable style has made him an influential figure on social media, serving as a bridge between cultures and traditions worldwide.

José Manuel “Chumel” Torres Morales is a prominent Mexican comedian, presenter, and YouTuber. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Chihuahua and worked in project management for eight years before transitioning to media. In 2012, he gained recognition through his satirical commentary on social media, leading to the creation of “El Pulso de la República,” a YouTube channel that critiques political and social issues with humor. The show’s success led to “Chumel con Chumel Torres” on HBO in 2016 and “La Radio de la República” on Radio Fórmula in 2018.

Regina García Cuéllar is a distinguished Mexican economist with over 25 years of experience across sectors such as banking, telecommunications, health, and energy. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University. Throughout her career, García Cuéllar has held key positions, including roles at IZZI Telecom, Citibanamex, Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), and the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP). Notably, in September 2024, she was appointed as the first female Director General of the Mexican Bank Association (ABM), marking a historic milestone since the organization’s founding in 1928

Víctor González Herrera is a prominent Mexican entrepreneur, well-known for his leadership as Executive President of Farmacias Similares, one of the largest and most popular pharmacy chains in Mexico, focused on providing affordable medications. Under his direction, the company has implemented innovative strategies in the healthcare sector, prioritizing accessibility and the well-being of vulnerable communities. His business approach combines social responsibility with commercial efficiency, establishing Farmacias Similares as a benchmark in the industry.

Julio A. Santaella is a prominent Mexican economist with extensive experience in economic research and public service. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from ITAM and a Ph.D. from UCLA. Santaella worked at the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) from 2001 to 2015, serving in key roles such as Executive Coordinator of the Mexican Petroleum Fund and Advisor to the Governing Board. From 2016 to 2021, he was President of Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), overseeing the nation’s statistical and geographic data. He later returned to Banxico as a specialized researcher contributing to economic policy analysis.

Reyes Rodríguez Mondragón, is a distinguished Mexican jurist and magistrate. He holds a law degree from ITAM and completed postgraduate studies at CIDE and the International Institute for the Sociology of Law in Spain. His career includes serving as a magistrate in the Monterrey Regional Chamber of the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF) from 2013 to 2016 and later as a magistrate of the TEPJF’s Superior Chamber starting in 2016. He presided over the Superior Chamber from 2021 to 2023 and, following a judicial reform, accepted an extension of his term as magistrate until 2027.

María Isabel Grañén Porrúa is a prominent Mexican art historian specializing in the study of 16th-century colonial prints, printing, and books. She earned her degree in Art History from Universidad Iberoamericana and her Ph.D. from the University of Seville. As president of the Alfredo Harp Helú Oaxaca Foundation, she has spearheaded numerous cultural, educational, and ecological projects, including the creation of museums and libraries. She also directs the Francisco de Burgoa Library at the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, recognized by UNESCO in the Memory of the World Register. Her work in preserving documentary heritage and promoting reading has earned her wide recognition, including the “Tribute to the Bibliophile” award at the Guadalajara International Book Fair in 2012.

Elizabeth Martínez Álvarez is a prominent Mexican politician affiliated with the National Action Party (PAN). With a career focused on defending human rights and promoting public policies for children, she currently chairs the Commission on the Rights of Children and Adolescents in the Chamber of Deputies. She has held various positions throughout her career, such as National Coordinator of the PAN Training System and President of the party’s Municipal Steering Committee in Aguascalientes. Her legislative work is distinguished by initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for children in Mexico.

Kenneth Smith Ramos is a distinguished Mexican economist and trade expert with extensive experience in international negotiations. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University and a Master’s in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University. Smith Ramos began his career in 1992 as part of Mexico’s NAFTA negotiating team and later served as Mexico’s Chief Negotiator for the modernization of NAFTA, leading to the signing of the USMCA. His roles have included Director-General for International Affairs at the Mexican Federal Competition Commission and Coordinator General for International Affairs at the Ministry of Agriculture. Currently, he is a partner at AGON, a consulting firm specializing in economics, law, and strategy, where he advises clients on trade and foreign direct investment opportunities.

Juan Carlos Natale is a federal congressman on leave from MORENA who was recently appointed as the General Coordinator of the Economic Corridor of Well-Being for the Central-Gulf of Mexico region (including Mexico City, Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz) at the Secretary of Economy.

Specialist in Electoral Law with experience in democracy, civic participation, and human rights. She has worked in the Judiciary, Public Administration, the Legislative Branch, and as an Electoral Councilor in Mexico City. A member of the Observatory of Political Reforms in Latin America, she is a professor at ITAM and a former vice president of AMCEE. She has collaborated with the OAS and the Carter Center in electoral observation. Currently, she leads the National Strategic Litigation Council, strengthening democracy and the rule of law.

Mateo Diego-Fernández Andrade is a distinguished Mexican lawyer specializing in antitrust, regulation, and international trade law. He holds a law degree from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and a Master’s in International Relations from the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations. Throughout his career, he has served in significant roles, including General Director of Legal Affairs at Mexico’s Federal Competition Commission from 2008 to 2013, and as a Counselor and later Minister at Mexico’s Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) between 1998 and 2008.

Jorge Alberto Schiavon Uriegas is a renowned Mexican scholar in international relations and political science. He holds a Ph.D. and Master’s in Political Science and International Relations from UCSD and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from El Colegio de México. Currently a professor at Universidad Iberoamericana, he has held notable roles such as Director of the International Studies Division at CIDE, Non-Resident Fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, and Vice President of CESPEM. With over 150 publications and 32 books, his work focuses on Mexico’s foreign policy, migration, and subnational diplomacy, contributing significantly to the field globally.

María Elena Ríos is a Mexican saxophonist and a prominent advocate against gender-based violence, using her platform to raise awareness and push for legal reforms. Ríos has returned to performing, symbolizing resilience and the healing power of music.

María Inés de la Fuente Dagdug, is a Mexican politician and lawyer born in 1974 in Huimanguillo, Tabasco. She earned her law degree from the Universidad Olmeca and a master’s in Public Administration from the Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco. De la Fuente has held various public service roles, including Director General of the Civil Registry of Tabasco from 2001 to 2009 and Honorary President of the DIF in Huimanguillo from 2010 to 2012. In May 2024, she was announced as MC’s candidate for the governorship of Tabasco in the 2024 elections

Lawyer (ITAM), Master in Public Policy (University College London), Master in Public Administration (Harvard University). An executive with over two decades of experience managing teams in both the public and private sectors across aviation, telecommunications, economics, and regulation. He currently serves as a partner at Northern Latam, a public affairs and strategic communication consultancy based in Miami, United States, where he advises clients across various Latin American countries.

In 2013, the World Economic Forum selected him as a Young Global Leader. For 14 years, he was a national columnist at Excélsior (Opinión, Dinero) and has contributed to various publications such as Letras Libres and participated in opinion spaces and interviews on Imagen Radio, Excélsior TV, Imagen TV, Reforma, and El Heraldo. Since January 2024, he writes a weekly column for El Economista.

He served as the Director General of the National Air Transport Chamber (CANAERO), a business organization representing national, international, and cargo airlines. He participated in industry negotiations for the construction of Mexico’s New International Airport in Texcoco and the liberalization of the fuel market, among other initiatives.

Previously, he served as a Federal Congressman and held various roles related to infrastructure and regulation in the public sector. In the private sector, he worked as a lawyer at several top-tier firms, as Director of Regulatory Affairs at Televisa Corporation, and as a consultant, advising multiple companies on the legal and regulatory aspects of technology, energy, innovation, and telecommunications.

Martín Vivanco Lira is a Mexican lawyer and politician affiliated with the Movimiento Ciudadano party. He holds a law degree from the Escuela Libre de Derecho, a Master’s in Legal Argumentation from the University of Alicante, and a Master’s in Political Theory from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Vivanco has served in various public roles, including as Federal Delegate for INFONAVIT in Durango, Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary of Public Education, and Political Attaché at the Mexican Embassy in Chile. He has been a candidate for the House of Representatives, both at the federal level in 2015 and for the Durango State legislature in 2018. In September 2024, he was appointed Vice Coordinator of National Deputies for Movimiento Ciudadano

Eunice Rendón is a Mexican sociologist and expert in migration and violence prevention. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Instituto de Estudios Políticos de Lille and the Universidad de las Américas Puebla, and a master’s and doctorate in Political Sociology and Public Policies from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris. Rendón has served in various governmental roles, including as Executive Secretary Adjunct of the National Public Security System and Director General of International Relations at the Ministry of Health. She is the Executive Director of Agenda Migrante, a coalition advocating for migrant rights, and has been recognized for her commitment to addressing the needs of people seeking safety from violence.

Carlos is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor, dedicated to building purpose-driven tech organizations that challenge the status quo. He has co-founded companies like Konfront, Eko, and Clever Agent, impacting over 6 million users worldwide. Throughout his career, he has advised numerous Fortune 500 CEOs across industries like insurance, healthcare, education, and finance in both Latin America and the United States. As a speaker, Carlos has been invited to present on topics such as innovation, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and disruptive culture at TEDx, Austin Club, and Arizona University, among other international platforms. Carlos holds an MBA with honors from London Business School, a specialization in advanced analytics and a series of executive diplomas on Organizational Scaling from world-class institutions such as Stanford University.

Silvia Olmedo is a renowned psychologist, sexologist, writer, and television presenter, known for her work in raising awareness on topics related to psychology, relationships, and sexuality. She has worked in various countries, including Spain, Mexico, and Australia, and has hosted programs such as Cuentamelove, Sexo Consentido, and Amordidas. She is the author of several books, including Detox emocional and A dos pasos de la locura, which have become bestsellers. Recognized for her impact on mental health, she has received multiple awards and continues to give lectures and collaborate with organizations to promote emotional well-being.

Iván Durán is a machine learning scientist with vast experience in the health care and financial sectors. His research has been published in distinguished journals, presented at several conferences, and submitted to successful patent and grant applications. He is a member of multiple scientific organizations, and was recognized as an Early Career Scholar by the American Aging Association. Iván holds a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Computer Science from Harvard University.

Mónica Lugo is a prominent Mexican professional with extensive experience in institutional relations and international trade. She currently serves as Director of Institutional Relations at Grupo Prodensa, an industrial consulting firm. Previously, she was a negotiator for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), where she played a significant role in incorporating gender equity provisions into the agreement. Her leadership and commitment earned her recognition as one of the 100 most powerful women in Mexico by Forbes magazine.

Mauricio Meschoulam is a distinguished Mexican professor of International Relations, analyst, and international speaker. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace. Since 1993, he has taught at institutions such as Universidad Iberoamericana, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM). Meschoulam’s research focuses on geopolitics, terrorism, and peacebuilding, with his work being widely published and presented both nationally and internationally. He is a columnist for El Universal and contributes to various radio and television networks. As the founder and director of the Mexico Research Center for Peace (CIPMEX), he leads studies on the psychosocial effects of violence in Mexico, the impact of fear, and the role of mass media in shaping perceptions of violence and peace.

Ariane Ortiz-Bollin is a Vice President and Senior Credit Officer in the Credit Strategy and Research Americas team at Moody’s Investors Service. She leads cross-sector analytic initiatives, strategic research, and outreach in Latin America, chairing an internal Latin America Credit Council to ensure analytical consistency and collaboration across teams. Before this role, Ariane was part of the Global Emerging Markets team, generating insights and research on emerging markets and leading Moody’s emerging markets outreach strategy, including hosting the “Emerging Markets Decoded” podcast. She also spent a decade as a sovereign analyst, managing portfolios for Latin American and Caribbean sovereigns and multilateral development banks, such as Mexico, Chile, and the International Finance Corporation. Prior to joining Moody’s in 2011, Ariane was a research analyst at the Initiative for Policy Dialogue at Columbia University and a corporate credit analyst at Citi-Banamex in Mexico.

Proven founder with two successful exits (2017-2023), international speaker and award winner, including at AWS Summit and events in Hong Kong, Chile, and more. Participant at the G20’s Financial Stability Board (2022) and TEDx speaker. Recognized among Mexico’s top 100 impactful entrepreneurs (2023). Mentor at Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and currently founder & CEO of Nut VC, the world’s first fully digital, AI-driven venture capital firm and startup ecosystem.