Walter Mata, 2023 Rising Leaders of Mexico Fellow
Meet the 2023 Rising Leaders of Mexico Fellows
Meet the2023 - 2024 Rising Leaders of Mexico Fellows
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Generously sponsored by the Luff Family, Jane McConnell, and TJ Heyman
Regina Reyes
Monai + ‘Yo por mi planeta’ | Pachuca, Mexico
Regina has a Software Engineering Degree from Tecnológico de Monterrey.
Regina is the Founder and CEO of Monai, an online financing platform for young adults across Mexico. Recently, Monai launched the beta version of its financial product comparison website, which now has 5k monthly users.
Regina is also the Founder of ‘Mundatus’, an online community focused on promoting environmentally sustainable practices. Mundatus has 41,000 members from across Mexico.
The venture opened an online store where they sell eco-friendly hygiene products. To date, the online store has served over 1,500 customers and partners with distributors in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Zapopan and Cancún.
Monai made it to the finals of the Social Impact Award Mexico 2024
José Manuel Reyes Fernández
SOCA Exchange | Guadalajara, Mexico
Jose has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management, General from Tecnológico de Monterrey.
José Manuel is the Founder SOCA Exchange that created an online marketplace where users trade clothes instead of buying them. SOCA would evaluate and provide points to exchange clothes from other users. This model created significant value with 3,500+ garments donated to communities in need, and 2,500+ garments exchanged, reducing fast fashion consumption and waste.
Now, they have created SOCA Clothing, redefining luxury fashion by creating an online marketplace to shop for upcycled and repurposed denim that is handcrafted, creating one-of-a-kind fashion as art and pushing circular fashion.
The venture has saved more than 58 million liters of water, the equivalent of 17 Olympic pools and 18 tons of CO2, the equivalent of 7.2 round trips from Guadalajara to Mexico City.
Laura Melendrez
SOCA Exchange | Guadalajara, Mexico
Laura has a Bachelor´s degree in Marketing from Tecnológico de Monterrey and MBA from the EGADE School of Business with a Masters in Advanced Management from the Yale School of Management.
Laura founded Amor & Rosas an ethical fashion-line committed to empowering indigenous artisans in Mexico by paying a living wage for their embroidery work. Amor & Rosas is working with 86 artisans in the states of Chiapas, Hidalgo and Oaxaca and generates indirect employment for 40 seamstresses in Ciudad Neza and Zumpango.
Amor & Rosas has three boutiques in Mexico City and 10 boutiques across Mexico.
Her clothing is in concept stores in North America. Last year’s revenue was $800,000.
Amor & Rosas is an Irrazonable Transformational Employment & Irrazonable Transcend Fellow/ a INADEM High Impact Businesses/ contributed to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and the Austin Fashion Week/ Reconginzed as an Endeavor Creative Industries and Yale Entrepreneurial Institute.
Carlos Saucedo
Labgo | Monterrey, Mexico
Carlos has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Manufacturing Engineering from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León.
Carlos Saucedo is the Founder of Labgo, a platform that promotes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education through hands-on and digital learning experiences. In partnership with corporates, NGOs, and government entities, Labgo has trained over 300 students to date through their online courses and in-person boot camps.
The venture partners with companies such as CEMEX, Tec de Monterrey, Caterpillar, United Way, and local governments. Labgo is currently run by a team of 5 people and has reached individuals in main cities across Mexico including Monterrey, Mexico City, Yucatan, Queretaro, and Coahuila.
Martin Morales Trejo
STEM+ Workshop | Queretaro, Mexico
Martin has a Bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering Technology from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
Martín Morales is the Founder of a non-profit civil association that provides STEM educational activities and programs. The association introduces high school students to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.
Through workshops and conferences, students are trained to identify and develop solutions to problems within their communities using knowledge of STEM to create sustainable impact.
To date, the association has served over 2,000 students across middle school, high school, and university levels.>
Martín is also Activities Coordinator at the Youth Scientific Society (SCJ)/ Serves as a Youth Citizen Observer for the Secretariat of Youth of the State of Queretaro.
Walter Mata
WAS Company | Monterrey, Mexico
Walter has a degree in Business Creation & Innovation from the University of Monterrey.
Walter is founded WAS Co México, a worldwide accountability solution to develop and market sustainable construction materials made from industrial waste. WAS just built a library located in Queretaro. The space is an example of innovation in construction, using 1.6 tons of recycled plastic/95,828 plastic bottles. The library benefits 400 people in the Galeana community, providing them with access to books and educational resources.
Currently, WAS Co aims to replace traditional cement with zero-emission alternatives made from mining waste.
The startup developed five patent-pending technologies and plan to build a pilot plant producing 5 to 10 tons per month. They raised US$1.5 million in a pre-seed round led mainly by angel investors, reaching a US$10 million valuation.
Walter was the “Inventor of the Year” by the MIT Innovators/ “Under 35 LATAM 2022 Award” / Named the “30 Business Promises” by Forbes Mexico (2023) / A member of the Solar Impulse Foundation
Tania Naanous Rayek
Lentes Purpura | Mexico City, Mexico
Tania has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Universidad Iberoamerican, Ciudad de Mexico and a Master’s in Conflict, Security and Development, and Gender Studies from University of Sussex.
Tania Naanous is the Founder of Lentes Púrpura, which is an NGO created in response to the crisis of violence against women and gender stigmatization in Mexico. Lentes Púrpura works across three axes in combatting Gender-Based Violence (GBV):
1) Prevention of GBV through collaboration with partners that provide gender perspective education.
2) Psychological, legal, and medical support for GBV survivor.
3) Programs for GBV survivors that provides tools needed to undertake re-entry support.
To date, the venture has worked with more than 50 companies, supported more than 75 individuals, trained 3,500+ people, and raised $200,000 in funding.
José Joaquín Eguía Vélez
Diversus | Mexico City, Mexico
Jose has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Economics, and a CTE in Banking and Accounting from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Serves as an economist and speciazes in Finance and Microeconomics.
Founder of Diversus, which is a digital platform that acts as a bridge between the LGBTIQ+ community and existing information, institutions, opportunities, and physical spaces that support these individuals. Diversus aims to close the inequality gap for members of the LGBTIQ+ community. José’s mission is to reinforce inclusion and dignity for the full development of LGBTIQ+ youth in the region, dignifying and leaving no one behind.
Hosted a Basecamp supported by the Human Rights Commission of the Congress of Mexico City for more than 200 Participants. The Basecamp was also broadcast through the official channel of the Mexican Government and Congress.
.JJ now works for the UN in Newe York City/ Awarded the Medal of Youth Merit from the Mexican Congress / Advisor at Permanent Mission of Mexico for the UN in NYC.
Marbella Irais Ledesma Cardenas
EduXMet | State of Mexico
Marbella has a degree in Computer Systems Engineering from Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Cuautitlán Izcalli and a Mechanical Electrical Engineering Degree from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Marbella Irais is the Founder of EduXMet, an initiative that aims to resolve education inequality for individuals with disabilities, learning differences, and Neurodiversity. To date, EduXMet has hosted two campaigns that brought together over 150 people to discuss and learn about quality education and inclusion for vulnerable and underrepresented populations.e venture‘s online site and educational games have also garnered more than 250 participants and have been tested by students and teachers. Marbella is currently representating Mexico in Seoul, Korea at the Conference on Global Citizenship.
Emilio Sandoval Hernández | Mexico City
Makoa. Makoa | Mexico City
Emilio is in the process of receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Intelligence at Tecnológico de Monterrey. He is currently part of an exchange program at ISG Institut Supérieur de Gestion.
Emilio Sandoval is the Founder of Makoa. Makoa is a food delivery app focused on healthy and homemade meals. For consumers, Makoa offers an alternative option to other food delivery services that primarily cater to fast food and chain restaurants. For producers, Makoa offers an opportunity for individuals and amateur cooks to create their own business opportunities and sell their homemade goods.
Emilio is also a member of the Eugenio Garza Sada Global Leadership Program, which seeks to generate leaders who can impact their community.
Elda Jimena Silva Pastrana | Mexico City
SHEnampa | Mexico City, Mexico
Jimena is a biologist and has a Master’s Degree in Integrated Water Management.
She has worked for various international food supply chains as an Environmental Specialist. Jimena works in Xochimilco, helping the locals regenerate and protect their wetlands and educating local women in sustainable agriculture methods.
SHEnampa aims to protect natural capital by to improving the supply and efficiency of water management by providing eco-system services to include the restoration of rivers and wetlands. Her objective is to improve tourism to the region and mentor women with entrepreneurship skills, while building communities to protect one of the last free rivers in Cuatitlán Izcalli.
P&G Aqua en Positivi ward / participant in New Ventures Semilla bootcamp / Champion of Global Shapers Mexico / National Youth Water Award, Embassy of Sweden (2023) / Awarded in Cambio Rally / Bernard Quintana Medal for Leadership
