WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the American Mexican Leadership Council (AMLC) officially launched as a national platform dedicated to advancing Mexican American leadership and strengthening U.S.–Mexico collaboration to advance opportunity and economic growth.

For over 200 years, Mexican Americans and U.S.-Mexico bilateral relations have been central to America's story. Mexican Americans and the broader diaspora have shaped industries, built communities, and contributed to every field in the United States, driving economic growth nearly $2 trillion annually.

In a defining moment for North America, AMLC was created to expand opportunity and constructive dialogue through bipartisan engagement and cross-sector collaboration by engaging and elevating Mexican American leaders, voices and allies, lifting up the community’s cultural, economic, social and political contributions, and driving a bilateral vision for opportunity, prosperity and regional security.

AMLC’s work will center on four core pillars: advancing solutions focused on economic opportunity, shared prosperity and regional security; building and activating a national leadership network; narrative and communications work focused on more accurate portrayals and stories of the Mexican American experience; and expanding research and education to support informed policymaking through partnerships, briefings, and cross-border exchange.

“Culture shapes how we see each other – and for too long, Mexican Americans have been defined by stereotypes instead of our full stories,” said actor and artist Eugenio Derbez, another key voice in the leadership of the organization.“ The American Mexican Leadership Council is creating space for leadership that reflects who we really are and the impact we have on this country.”

AMLC’s founders bring decades of experience across business, public service, and civic leadership. Founded by Dr. George Pla, Ambassador Nathalie Rayes, Cástulo de la Rocha, the Hon. Fabian Nuñez, and Sergio Gonzales, the organization's founding President and CEO who brings decades of experience shaping policy and advocacy. 

“There is no American story without Mexican Americans,” said Gonzales. Our communities have played a key role in America’s growth and success – across business, labor, public service, academia, faith, and culture. The AMLC builds upon the work of those who came before us to advance and uplift leadership at every level – from Los Angeles to Houston, Phoenix to Denver, Chicago to New York and all across the country. Together we will ensure that Mexican American voices are heard, and our many contributions are represented.”

The organization’s Board of Directors and councils bring together Mexican American leaders with deep experience advancing the U.S.–Mexico relationship, and working alongside Mexican American communities, including former U.S. Secretary Federico Peña (Denver, CO), former U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Miami, FL), and former Treasurer of the United States Rosario Marín (Los Angeles, CA). New Mexico State Senator Cindy Nava and Republican strategist Mark Williams are Senior Advisors to the organization. 

“Effective leadership bridges communities, policy, and global engagement,” said Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Former Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs.“ The American Mexican Leadership Council recognizes that the future of North America’s prosperity depends on a strong and forward-looking U.S.–Mexico relationship.” 

“As someone who has spent my career working across borders, I believe deeply in leadership that is informed, collaborative, and forward-looking,” said Ambassador Nathalie Rayes, Co-Chair of AMLC’s Board of Directors.“ The American Mexican Leadership Council is built to advance that kind of leadership – strengthening ties, building trust, and delivering real impact for our communities in both countries.”

The Board also includes bipartisan leaders from finance, investment, and cross-border business, including Martin Cabrera, Founder and CEO of Cabrera Capital (Chicago, IL), alongside Dorene Dominguez, Chairwoman and CEO of Vanir (Los Angeles, CA), Ximena Gonzalez Rojas, VP of J.P. Morgan (New York, New York), Eduardo Sverdlin, Director of Grupo Casa Automotriz (Boston, MA), and Massey Villarreal, CEO and President of Precision Task Group and former Chairman Emeritus of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Sugar Land, Texas), who emphasized the Council’s ability to drive opportunity at the intersection of public service and private enterprise.

As AMLC begins its work, the Council will engage leaders across sectors, convene national and cross-border dialogues, and advance solutions that reflect the lived experience and expertise of Mexican American communities, ensuring their leadership helps shape a more prosperous, inclusive, and competitive future for the United States, including through the important bilateral relationship with Mexico.

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FROM OUR BOARD:

The AMLC’s founders bring decades of experience across business, public service, and civic leadership.Announcing the launch, George L. Pla emphasized the Council’s role in harnessing leadership across sectors, noting that AMLC “ensures Mexican American leadership continues to help shape the future of our country.” Cástulo de la Rocha highlighted the many contributions made by Mexican Americans and the importance of ensuring Mexican American voices and experiences are represented, while the Hon. Fabian Nuñez underscored the need to align vision with action to achieve lasting change. They are joined by a diverse group of leaders committed to advancing opportunity for Mexican American communities in the United States and Mexico.

“The relationship between the United States and Mexico stands among the world’s most consequential alliances, yet it has too often been undervalued and obscured by misperceptions and political rhetoric,” said George L. Pla, Founder and CEO of Cordoba Corporation.“ The American Mexican Leadership Council will convene distinguished leaders from every sector to engage in rigorous, evidence‑driven collaboration that advances policies capable of strengthening our families, our economy, and the future of our nation.”

“Mexican Americans are deeply rooted in this country and have made immeasurable contributions over generations, however all too often our voices are not represented on issues that impact us – whether that be on key issues like the economy and healthcare” said Cástulo de la Rocha, President and CEO of AltaMed Health Services.” Our communities also reflect the enduring relationship between the United States and Mexico. The AMLC brings that perspective forward to advance policy and strengthen the communities that power our shared future.” 

“Strong leadership requires aligning vision with action to create meaningful change,” said Hon. Fabian Nuñez, Founder & Managing Partner of Actum, LLC. and former Speaker of the California State Assembly.“ The American Mexican Leadership Council is the first of its kind to combine seasoned and new leadership from across the country to ensure our voices and our experiences are represented, and the U.S.-Mexico relationship is prioritized.”

“The American Mexican Leadership Council provides a needed national platform to connect and elevate Mexican American leadership at a time when the future of our country depends on it,” said Massey Villarreal, CEO and President of Precision Task Group, Inc. and former Chairman of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, and United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.“ By bringing together leaders and advancing informed policy, the AMLC strengthens the U.S.–Mexico economic relationship and expands opportunity for communities and businesses across the country.”

“Mexican Americans have played a defining role in the life of this nation – in public office, in business and innovation, labor and workforce, and in civic leadership,” said Rosario Marín, former Treasurer of the United States.“ The AMLC is a vehicle to bring the vast expertise, influence and experience of our community together to advance policies that strengthen our communities and country.” 

“Throughout our history, Mexican Americans have strengthened this nation in every sector of public life,” said Hon. Federico Peña, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Energy and former Mayor of Denver.“ Yet too often our story is incompletely told or overshadowed by misinformation and harmful rhetoric that seeks to diminish us. The American Mexican Leadership Council brings together leaders from across the country to elevate the full measure of our contributions – aligning leaders from across our community of nearly 40 million strong to shape policy and inform the national discourse.” 

“A strong U.S.–Mexico partnership drives investment, supports business growth, and helps lower costs across our economy” said Martin Cabrera, Founder & CEO of Cabrera Capital.“ The American Mexican Leadership Council provides a national platform for Mexican American leaders to shape policy, strengthen our economy to benefit everyone, and ensure our communities are fully represented in decisions that impact the nation.”

“From my upbringing in Brownsville, Texas, to service at the highest levels of government and private enterprise, I have witnessed the extraordinary opportunity that defines America at its best, and the power of the Mexican American community,” said Ximena Gonzalez Rojas, Vice President at J.P. Morgan.“ The American Mexican Leadership Council provides a platform to elevate Mexican American leaders, advance informed policy, and strengthen the critical U.S.- Mexico relationship.” 

“Mexican American leadership is no longer concentrated in one region – it is present and growing in communities across the country,” said Eduardo Sverdlin, Director of Grupo Kasa Automotriz.“ The American Mexican Leadership Council provides a national platform for Mexican American leaders to align expertise, advance policy, and strengthen the economic and cultural ties that benefit both the U.S. and Mexico.”

“As a Mexican American leader, I experience every day the powerful role our community plays in shaping both the private and public sectors,” said Dorene Dominguez, Chairwoman and CEO of Vanir Companies.“ Too often, that influence remains behind the scenes. Through the American Mexican Leadership Council, we have an opportunity to bring that impact into the global spotlight and redefine how the world sees our contributions and leadership."

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