Forbes Mexico celebrated powerful women for taking the reins of business, entrepreneurship, leading the sustainability and innovation agenda, as well as inspiring new generations and being part of the changes registered in the Mexican economy.
Every year Forbes Mexico recognizes the country’s Powerful Women and female power in any industry, age and geography.
Forbes Mexico organized the Powerful Women Gala, an event that brought together 120 businesswomen, company executives, and opinion and social leaders.
Range Rover, Actinver, and SHA Wellness made the inspiring initiative possible, which had its origin in the Forbes Powerful Women Forum held in the last decade in Mexico City.
Natalia Smaldone, Commercial VP of Forbes Mexico, stressed that intense women drive the economy of Mexico and the world.
“I am a fervent believer that intensity is not a problem and intensity is not an excess, but rather it is a total and absolute conviction and determination,” she considered.
She added that energy forces women to do things differently, to push people, to open paths where there are none and to seek the future where it seems uncertain.
“All women try to generate a positive impact on others and open a gap for those who come behind so that the path we had was much easier for them, and the women who came ahead of us certainly had it,” said Smaldone.
Read: Powerful Women 2025
“A woman who lives intensely is a woman who inspires every day when she leads a company,” she added.
Montserrat Martínez, Brand & Product Director of JLR Mexico, Latin America & Caribbean, expressed that women do not wait “for the world to change, but rather they change it.”
“When a woman occupies a managerial role and does so from the perspective of female leadership, she discovers a simple but profound truth and there is not always a map,” she said.
“Women often advance by designing the path we travel and we are responsible for a vision that exists and we have to make it a reality,” she added.
“We deeply believe in celebrating those who build with purpose, those who lead without shouting, without imposing themselves and moving the world with those who create and transform and sustain,” he expressed.
The Promesa Entrepreneur recognition was given to Mariana Castillo, founder and CEO of Ben & Frank, for her career as an entrepreneur and leader of one of the companies that have had the greatest growth in Mexico.
Women drive companies, communities. teams, people and systems, said Ana Yáñez, CFO of Actinver.
“Today we celebrate a story that deserves to be told, applauded and recognized, since today we meet to discard an element that goes beyond metrics, results and visible achievements,” he indicated.
Forbes Mexico has recognized female leadership for a long time and they have not jumped on the bandwagon recently, said the CEO.
“I would like to recognize everyone who is here and all the women who have helped and inspired me and made it always possible,” she said.
Forbes awarded the recognition as a Leading Woman in Sustainability and Innovation to Jessica Ponce de León, Director of Sustainability at FEMSA, for her work on behalf of the environment and to reduce the carbon footprint of her company.
Ponce de León has more than 20 years in the logistics and consumer industry in Mexico, and was the first general director of Solistica, where she played a key role in making it the largest logistics operator in Latin America.
Forbes gave the Inspiring Women recognition to the communicator Macarena Riva for her work on behalf of her radio listeners, who take her advice every day.
Read: The 100 Most Powerful Women in Mexico 2025: ‘We’re all here’
“We are entering a moment in time where inspiration comes from curiously sharing the things that move you,” said Maca Riva.
He stated that instead of communicating superiority it should be with knowledge: “I can’t believe that I am receiving this recognition and it makes me very happy.”
The Woman of the Year recognition was received by Maite Ramos, CEO of Alstom Mexico, for her work in an industry that is transforming the map of mass passenger transportation.
“Powerful women hold the reins of business in Mexico,” said Diego Salazar, editor in chief of Forbes Mexico.
“It is a great honor to be surrounded by so many amazing women and protagonists of the business, social and political sector of Mexico,” she highlighted.
“I just want to ensure the commitment we have at Forbes Mexico with Mexican talent and female talent to present the stories of powerful women,” she added.
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