Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
The Mujeres Líderes Binacionales (MLB) “Leadership Without Borders” Women’s Economic Summit unfolded as a compelling demonstration of cross-border collaboration held in Pharr, Texas. This trailblazing event, spearheaded by CIL Commodities Integrated Logistics (CIL), convened over 120 influential women from both sides of the border, fostering dialogue on shared opportunities and challenges in the RioPlex region. Co-founded by Ingrid Ulloa and Astrid Salazar, MLB is committed to a mission to amplify women’s leadership in driving economic transformation. The summit’s morning session set the stage for profound discussions on diplomacy, economic growth, and mental resilience.
Opening remarks from Lilvette Santos, Economic Business Development Director at Pharr EDC, captured the essence of the summit: fostering cross-border partnerships. “Together, we’ll break barriers and create solutions that empower women across industries,” Santos declared. Her words resonated as a powerful prelude to the day’s first panel, moderated by Mayra Maldonado of the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness. This session, titled Women Transforming U.S. – Mexico Relations, brought forward luminaries who explored women’s fundamental role in redefining diplomacy, ethics, and industrial growth.
Mariana Guedea, CEO of Meraki and an educational consultant, captivated the audience with her insights into mental resilience. Stressing the importance of mindfulness in leadership, she urged women to prioritize mental health. “By training our attention, we can tackle challenges with clarity,” she said. Brianna Powers, U.S. Consul General in Matamoros, highlighted the border region’s untapped potential. “We’re building bridges of opportunity,” she stated, reinforcing the importance of connectivity in economic integration. Meanwhile, attorney Dania Duncan Moreno shed light on ethics in cross-border transactions, emphasizing women’s role in fostering accountability and innovation.
The summit spotlighted critical issues such as nearshoring and industrial development. As Duncan underscored, “This is a life-changing era for the border region. Women must lead in industrial parks, housing, and logistics hubs.” Collaboration emerged as a core theme, with panelists urging attendees to embrace purposeful networking. Guedea condensed the sentiment: “Let’s not compete — let’s collaborate.” These thought-provoking dialogues emphasized uniting perspectives across sectors to drive innovation and growth.
As the morning progressed, global and local dynamics took center stage. Lila Abed, Director of the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center, joined virtually to share fresh perspectives on the border’s role in global commerce. “This region operates like a third country, with economic activity that rivals major global economies,” Abed observed, encouraging participants to leverage its unique strengths. Actionable takeaways abounded, from the importance of vocal advocacy, championed by Powers, to the value of strategic networking, emphasized by Duncan.
The co-founders of MLB, Ulloa and Salazar reflected on the event’s impact, noting how it has evolved into a legacy of empowerment. “This summit is more than a meeting — it’s a movement,” Ulloa remarked. Salazar added, “When women lead, borders dissolve, and possibilities expand.” The Leadership Without Borders summit left participants invigorated and ready to drive change, proving that women’s leadership is essential to the future of U.S. – Mexico relations.
With every session and connection, the Mujeres Líderes Binacionales Economic Summit affirmed its mission: to unite women in transforming challenges into opportunities and borders into bridges. Readers are encouraged to explore the inside pages of Texas Border Business for the full story of this landmark event and the extraordinary leaders shaping the border region’s future—special thanks to Victor Perez, President and CEO of Pharr EDC, and also, Karina Lopez, Economic Development Manager of Pharr EDC.
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