Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
Mujeres Lideres Binacionales (MLB) has emerged as a key platform for women’s empowerment in the RioPlex region, which spans the U.S.-Mexico border. Founded in 2022 by two visionary female leaders, MLB aims to foster collaboration and create opportunities for women to develop and strengthen their professional networks. Through events, workshops, and networking activities, this initiative has successfully connected female entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals across generations and sectors, with a focus on economic development and social impact.
This year’s event is November 14, 2024
Hosted by PHARR EDC at the Pharr Development and Research Center
The idea for MLB arose from a conversation between its co-founders, Astrid Salazar, Director of Institutional and Government Relations (CIL), and Ingrid Ulloa, Industrial and Economic Development Manager (CIL), who recognized the growing importance of female participation in business decision-making. With its blend of cultures and strong infrastructure, the RioPlex region offered an ideal environment to promote this binational collaboration. At MLB’s first event in 2022, 70 women leaders gathered, laying the foundation for a professional and personal support network.
Following the first event’s success, MLB held a second meeting in 2023, focused on “Binational Nearshoring,” which brought together prominent women from both nations. This event emphasized cross-border cooperation to leverage the region’s strategic advantages and highlighted the role of women in reshaping global supply chains.
MLB’s future is bright, with its next event scheduled for November 14, 2024. This third gathering aims to exceed previous successes in both participation and impact, continuing to provide a collaborative space that combines the experience of established business leaders with the innovation brought by younger generations. The primary objective is to offer women a solid platform to grow and connect within the economic arena.
A key pillar of MLB’s future growth is its focus on young generations. By involving young women and emerging leaders in training activities, the initiative seeks to inspire them to take an active role in the region’s economic transformation. MLB is committed to fostering a culture of empowerment, mutual support, and dedication, building a solid network that evolves and thrives over time.
MLB’s impact on the RioPlex region is significant. This border area, linking two countries and cultures, is one of the most economically strategic regions on the continent. The women of this area are a driving force behind local economic development, and MLB has become a crucial platform for strengthening their connections.
Beyond borders, MLB promotes collaboration among businesswomen from various industries and generations, creating an environment where each participant’s abilities and achievements are recognized and valued. MLB also fosters a culture of mutual respect, empathy, and passion for collective work, inspiring women in the region to dream big, achieve great things, and continue transforming their realities through concrete actions.
In a world where virtuality has made opportunities more accessible, authentic human connections are more necessary than ever. MLB has recognized this need and works to create spaces where emerging young leaders can learn from experienced women and contribute their innovative ideas. These young women face unique challenges in a rapidly changing global context but also have access to resources that enable them to build strong and meaningful careers.
MLB will continue organizing activities to empower new generations, offering workshops and conferences that encourage intergenerational collaboration and strengthen support networks essential for the region’s economic and social development in the future.
Next Steps and Future Vision
The November 2024 event is another step in MLB’s long-term vision. The goal is to solidify this platform as an engine of change for the RioPlex region and beyond, promoting female collaboration and creating new business and economic development opportunities. MLB will continue facilitating idea exchange and learning among women from diverse sectors through more events, workshops, and discussion forums.
The invitation is open to all women who wish to join this movement, share their stories, and contribute to transforming their communities. MLB envisions itself as an essential tool for inspiring, educating, and empowering women, helping them reach their fullest potential and make a real difference in the world around them.
Binational Women Leaders has proven to be more than an initiative; it’s a space where women find support, growth, and opportunities for collaboration to make a real impact. As the platform grows, MLB positions itself as a catalyst for change in the RioPlex region and beyond, connecting women leaders and promoting economic development through cross-border collaboration. With a clear focus on intergenerational empowerment, MLB will continue to pave the way toward a future full of possibilities for women. The sky is the limit, and together, MLB participants will continue transforming the world, one collaboration at a time. Mujeres Lideres Binacionales sponsored by CIL Logistics and RioPlex
