March 6, 2025, the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico City became the stage for a landmark celebration—the inaugural Women in Finance Latin America (LatAm) Awards. This distinguished event marked a major step forward in recognizing and honoring the exceptional contributions of women across the region’s financial industry. Bringing together a dynamic mix of industry leaders, visionaries, and innovators, the ceremony spotlighted the women reshaping finance through leadership, innovation, and resilience. The awards not only celebrated individual excellence but also emphasized the broader movement toward greater inclusion and equity in finance. Attendees included professionals from across Latin America—spanning banking, investment, fintech, and economic policy—highlighting the diversity and depth of female talent in the field. As the first edition of what is expected to become an annual tradition, the event set a powerful precedent for uplifting the voices and accomplishments of women who are leading the transformation of the Latin American financial landscape.
Event Overview
The Women in Finance LatAm Awards were established to spotlight the incredible talent, resilience, and vision of women leading in finance across Latin America. These awards cover a wide range of categories across the financial industry, including buy-side and sell-side trading desks, institutional investors, wealth managers, securities exchanges, technology providers, corporate finance, venture capital firms, and fintech start-ups.
By highlighting exemplary leadership, innovative thinking, and impactful contributions, the awards aim to inspire a more inclusive and dynamic future for the financial industry throughout Latin America.
Notable Winners
Several distinguished professionals stood out during the 2025 ceremony, each celebrated for their unique achievements, industry impact, and dedication to excellence:
Denisse Montesinos
Honored with the Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) award, Denisse was recognized for her tireless advocacy and transformative work with Mujeres en Finanzas, a platform dedicated to empowering women in the finance industry through mentorship, education, and community building.
Magdalena Carral Cuevas
Received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for her extensive and impactful career at CarralSierra. Magdalena’s decades of leadership and commitment to policy, public-private partnerships, and corporate governance have made her a role model across the region.
Daniela Calleja
Awarded as a Rising Star, Daniela was recognized for her entrepreneurial leadership at BIVA (Bolsa Institucional de Valores), where she played a pivotal role in increasing capital access for emerging businesses and promoting innovation in market structure.
Alba Cholula
Took home the award for Excellence in Trading for her outstanding performance at Franklin Templeton. Alba’s strategic insight and her ability to navigate volatile markets have positioned her as one of the most respected traders in the region.
Adriana Rangel
Honored with the Excellence in Sales award, Adriana has been instrumental in driving growth and client engagement at Vanguard México. Her customer-centric approach and deep product knowledge have made her a standout leader in asset management.
Jessica Roldán
Named Chief Economist of the Year, Jessica’s leadership in economic research and policy analysis with CAF Economista has significantly influenced decision-making across both the public and private sectors.
Marivi Esteve
Awarded for Excellence in Leadership, Marivi’s work with NSC Asesores has helped drive sustainable growth, client trust, and innovation in financial advisory services. Her strategic vision continues to shape the firm’s role in regional investment planning.
Empowering the Next Generation
The winners of the 2025 Women in Finance Awards not only represent individual excellence but also signify a broader shift in how leadership and talent are perceived and nurtured in the finance industry. These women serve as mentors, advocates, and change-makers—championing gender equity, inclusive work environments, and sustainable business practices.
Their collective stories provide a roadmap for the next generation of women entering finance: one that values integrity, determination, and innovation. Through mentorship networks, educational programs, and organizational change, many of these leaders are actively giving back to their communities and shaping the pipeline of future female talent.
Women Driving Innovation in Finance
Latin America’s financial landscape is undergoing rapid change, fueled by digital transformation, regulatory evolution, and shifting economic conditions. Women are playing increasingly central roles in shaping the future of this dynamic environment.
Whether leading fintech start-ups, launching ESG-focused investment platforms, or advising on macroeconomic policy, the 2025 award recipients reflect the diversity of roles women now occupy in Latin American finance. From Mexico to Argentina, from Chile to Colombia, their voices are not only being heard—they are leading the conversation.
The awards also highlighted success stories of women working behind the scenes in data analytics, compliance, cybersecurity, and financial literacy initiatives, demonstrating that leadership in finance isn’t confined to the boardroom.
Challenges and Progress
Despite notable progress, women in Latin America still face structural and cultural challenges in finance. Gender disparities in pay, promotion opportunities, and board representation remain prevalent in many firms. Events like the Women in Finance Awards serve a dual purpose: celebrating accomplishments while also raising awareness about these ongoing challenges.
Many of the speakers at the event addressed these issues head-on, calling for concrete action from both private and public sectors. Several award winners emphasized the importance of inclusive hiring practices, gender-sensitive performance evaluation systems, and flexible work environments that support work-life balance.
A Regional Movement
While the awards were held in Mexico City, the impact of the event echoed throughout Latin America. Attendees included professionals from Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and more. Cross-border collaboration was a strong theme during the event, with leaders discussing ways to scale up successful DEI models, share best practices, and support regional talent networks.
Many of the nominees and winners are also active in regional initiatives such as financial education campaigns, rural banking development, and women’s entrepreneurship networks—demonstrating that leadership also means service to the broader community.
A Vision for the Future
The Women in Finance Awards envision a future where gender equity is not just an aspiration but a reality. With more events planned in coming years, including leadership summits, mentorship forums, and policy roundtables, the awards are laying the groundwork for long-term systemic change.
Award organizers emphasized their commitment to transparency in the nomination and selection process, ensuring that future honorees reflect a diverse range of backgrounds, career paths, and perspectives.
By continuing to spotlight achievement and encourage accountability, the Women in Finance Awards are not only recognizing today’s leaders—they’re investing in tomorrow’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the winners selected?
Winners are selected through a rigorous nomination and selection process, which includes peer recommendations, assessments by a panel of industry experts, and evaluation of the impact and contributions made by the nominees in their respective fields.
Is the event open to the public?
The event is generally invitation-only, primarily for professionals and leaders in the finance sector. However, the ceremony may be broadcasted or shared through digital platforms for wider public viewing.
Can men participate or attend the event?
While the awards are focused on honoring women, the event is open to all professionals, regardless of gender. It is an inclusive space for both men and women who support gender equality and the advancement of women in finance.
How can I get involved with the awards in the future?
You can get involved by either nominating an outstanding candidate, attending future events, or partnering with the awards organizers as a sponsor. Information about involvement and participation is typically shared on official platforms.
How often will the Women in Finance LatAm Awards take place?
The Women in Finance LatAm Awards is planned to be an annual event, with the first awards ceremony in 2025 setting the stage for future celebrations of excellence in the industry.
Are there any initiatives to support women in finance outside the awards?
Yes, alongside the awards, there are often mentorship programs, networking events, and educational initiatives aimed at empowering women in the finance industry. These programs help support the professional growth and development of future female leaders in finance.
Where can I find more information about the event?
Further details about the event, nominations, and future editions of the Women in Finance LatAm Awards can usually be found through the official event website, social media channels, or industry partner announcements.
Conclusion
The Latin America Women in Finance Awards 2025 was more than just a celebration—it was a statement. A declaration that talent, innovation, and leadership know no gender. The event honored extraordinary women who have overcome obstacles, broken ceilings, and paved new paths for the generations to come.
