Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Afternoon Session
On November 14, 2024, the bustling city of Pharr, Texas, hosted the Mujeres Líderes Binacionales (MLB) “Leadership Without Borders” Women’s Economic Summit. Organized by CIL Commodities Integrated Logistics (CIL), the event brought together more than 120 women leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across the U.S. – Mexico border region. The summit explored the power of collaboration, the significance of border economies, and the critical role of women’s leadership in driving regional and global growth.
Mayra G. Maldonado, Executive Director at the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness at UTEP, delivered an impactful presentation to open the summit. Drawing from her extensive experience as an economist and her ongoing Ph.D. studies in data science, she emphasized the border’s vital role in shaping North America’s economic landscape. “We who live in the region have a responsibility to get to know our assets and who we are,” Maldonado said. “Many people don’t understand the economic power of places like El Paso, McAllen, or Brownsville. It’s up to us to tell that story and build value for our region.”
Maldonado highlighted Texas as the top U.S. exporter to Mexico, accounting for 40% of all exports. She shared that 75% of U.S. – Mexico trade flows through Texas ports. She called attendees to reframe the border as a corridor and a hub of innovation and value creation.
In the afternoon, a panel titled “Trailblazing Women in Industry and Trade,” moderated by Linda Ufland, featured Teresa Farías, Erika Avalos, and Dr. Valerie G. Segovia. They shared their journeys, challenges, and strategies for fostering leadership and collaboration. Ufland, Director of Entrepreneurship at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, praised the panelists for their contributions to their industries and the region.
Teresa Farías, National Director of Strategy and Business Development at JLL, stressed the importance of embracing the dual cultures of the border. “We grow up understanding two very different worlds,” she said. “That’s a competitive advantage not everyone has. It’s time to use that to build stronger networks and foster growth.” Farías urged women to adopt purposeful networking, moving beyond casual connections to create meaningful opportunities. “Networking isn’t just coffee or playdates. It’s about making business happen,” she said, highlighting the need for women to support and recommend each other.
Erika Avalos, Global Human Resources Director at Corning, shared her experience leading diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at her company. “Twenty-six years ago, there were no women in leadership at Corning. Now, we’re breaking barriers,” Avalos said. She highlighted Corning’s systemic efforts, such as pay equity reviews, mentorship programs, and leadership representation targets. “It’s not enough to write values on a wall. We must live them. Everyone should feel valued—no matter their gender, beliefs, or background,” she explained. Avalos celebrated Corning’s efforts to promote STEM inclusion and its commitment to fostering equity across its global operations.
Dr. Valerie G. Segovia, Vice President of Investor Relations at the Texas Economic Development Corporation, spoke of her lifelong inspiration from the strong women in her life. “Growing up, I saw women make decisions and do the work, but they had to let someone else take credit,” she recalled. “We need to own our power and say yes to opportunities—even if we’re scared or feel unprepared,” Segovia emphasized the importance of building support networks among women, intentionally recommending and amplifying each other’s talents. “Every opportunity I’ve had came from someone else believing in me. It’s our turn to do that for each other,” she said.
Throughout the summit, themes of unity, empowerment, and collaboration emerged as key drivers for change. Women were encouraged to build purposeful networks, advocate for representation in leadership, and leverage their unique perspectives to innovate within border communities. The significance of mentorship and fostering the next generation of leaders was also highlighted as essential to creating sustainable growth.
The summit concluded with Ufland expressing gratitude to the panelists and attendees. “It’s up to us to move the needle—not because we’re women, but because we bring expertise and value that matters,” she said. From celebrating the border region’s economic potential to advancing women’s leadership, the MLB Women’s Economic Summit inspired participants to drive meaningful change within their industries and communities. The event marked a significant step toward creating a future of inclusivity, innovation, and shared prosperity.
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