Team size: 19 

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

As Legal Vice President, my approach to crisis situations is based on three pillars: anticipation, agility, and strategic alignment. During periods of instability, it is essential to have robust legal frameworks that enable swift decision-making without compromising the company’s legal integrity. I work closely with the finance, operations, and business teams to identify legal vulnerabilities and design contingency plans that align with corporate objectives.

My legal strategy is consistently aligned with the broader business strategy. This involves actively participating in strategic planning, understanding commercial goals, and adapting the legal approach to facilitate informed decision-making, protect the company’s assets, and ensure regulatory compliance across all markets in which we operate. This synergy has been key to maintaining organisational resilience, even in changing regulatory environments or during disruptive events.

What are the major cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?

Launch of a New Business Line Derived from the Formalisation of a Joint Venture: I led the legal structuring and implementation of a new business line resulting from the formalisation of a strategic Joint Venture. This initiative required a comprehensive legal framework that balanced the interests of both parties while ensuring regulatory compliance. My role involved negotiating and drafting the Joint Venture agreement, defining governance structures, and establishing operational protocols to support long-term collaboration and scalability. The launch of this new business line represented a significant milestone for the company, enabling us to expand into new markets and diversify our portfolio. By aligning with the company’s strategic objectives and maintaining proactive legal involvement, I helped accelerate the go-to-market timeline and establish a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

Negotiation of Strategic Contracts: I led negotiations with key partners, securing favourable terms for the company and mitigating significant legal risks.

Implementation of Compliance Programme: I led the structuring and future operation of a cross-functional compliance programme designed to inform, monitor, and ensure that each team understands and fulfils its legal obligations under our strategic contracts, thereby reducing operational, reputational, and financial risks.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

Our company has made sustainability a strategic priority, embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its core operations. This includes our corporate social responsibility programme, as well as implementing policies that promote diversity and inclusion and ensuring ethical business conduct across all levels of the organisation. Our corporate social responsibility programme, launched in 2012, has successfully brought together efforts from various stakeholders around a common cause: helping others. This programme supports communities across Mexico in areas such as education, environmental initiatives, and community development. Our customers, business partners, and employees contribute to a specific annual cause through donations with each purchase made at our points of sale. Once the fundraising goal for the cause is reached, the company matches the total amount raised to further support the initiative.

As General Counsel, I ensure that our sustainability commitments are reflected in our contractual frameworks, corporate governance policies, and risk management strategies. I work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate ESG considerations into decision-making processes, particularly in areas such as supplier agreements, joint ventures, and regulatory compliance. I actively participate in the integrated ESG committee, where key environmental, social, and governance matters are reviewed and assessed to align with the company’s long-term sustainability goals.

Additionally, I oversee the legal aspects of our sustainability reporting, ensuring transparency and alignment with best practices and international standards. By embedding sustainability into our legal strategy, I help the company not only meet its compliance obligations but also build long-term value and trust with stakeholders.