Modern Architect · 1968 — Present

Maria Fernanda Garza

A leading voice for global business and international trade policy, championing private sector interests and sustainable development.

Country

Mexico

Continent

North America

Industry

International Business Advocacy & Manufacturing

Role

Global Business Advocate, Entrepreneur, Corporate Executive

Maria Fernanda Garza is a distinguished Mexican entrepreneur and global business leader. She is President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the first woman to hold this position in the organization's 100-year history. Garza has also served as CEO of Orestia, a manufacturing company in Mexico, and has held numerous leadership roles in business associations, advocating for open trade, good governance, and private sector-led development.

Biography

Maria Fernanda Garza was born in Mexico City in 1968. She earned a degree in Accounting from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). Her career began in the manufacturing sector, where she eventually became CEO of Orestia, a company specializing in the production of waterproofing materials, based in Mexico. Garza's influence extends far beyond her corporate role. She has been a prominent advocate for the private sector on national and international stages. She served as Vice President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) from 2018 to 2020 before being elected as its President in June 2020, making her the first woman to lead the organization since its inception in 1919. During her tenure, she has focused on guiding the global business community through periods of significant economic disruption, advocating for multilateralism, digital transformation, and inclusive trade policies, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical shifts. Prior to her ICC presidency, Garza was a member of the ICC Executive Board and served as Vice President of the Mexican Chapter of the ICC (ICC Mexico). She has also been active in several other organizations, including the Confederación de Cámaras Industriales de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos (CONCAMIN), Mexico's largest industrial association, where she championed policies supporting industrial growth and competitiveness. Her extensive experience in both manufacturing and international advocacy positions her as a critical figure in shaping global business discourse.

Accomplishments

01First female President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), elected in June 2020, leading the global organization through unprecedented economic challenges.
02Successfully advocated for private sector inclusion in global policy discussions on trade, digital economy, and sustainability at institutions like the G20, UN, and WTO.
03Served as CEO of Orestia, a Mexican manufacturing firm, demonstrating direct operational and leadership experience in industry.
04Chaired ICC's Finance Committee, overseeing the organization's financial stability and strategic investments.
05Spearheaded initiatives promoting digitalization and trade facilitation, such as the ICC Digital Standards Initiative (DSI), to modernize international trade.
06Instrumental in advancing the ICC's work on climate action and advocating for sustainable business practices globally.

Lessons for Operators

**Engage in Global Governance:** Active participation in international bodies like the ICC provides a crucial platform to influence policy, shape standards, and advocate for business interests, mitigating regulatory risks and opening new markets.

**Diversify Leadership Experience:** Combining direct operational experience (e.g., CEO of Orestia) with advocacy roles (e.g., ICC President) offers a comprehensive perspective essential for effective leadership in complex global environments.

**Champion Inclusivity:** Promoting diversity (e.g., first female ICC President) and inclusive trade policies ensures broader representation and more resilient, equitable economic growth, which can unlock untapped market potential.

**Embrace Digital Transformation:** Proactively leading initiatives for digitalization in trade (e.g., ICC Digital Standards Initiative) is vital for future-proofing business models and enhancing efficiency across supply chains.

**Advocate for Multilateralism:** In an era of increasing protectionism, consistently advocating for open trade, international cooperation, and rules-based systems creates a more predictable and stable environment for investment and growth.

**Strategic Stakeholder Management:** Effectively bridging the gap between private sector needs, government policies, and international organizations requires sophisticated negotiation, communication, and coalition-building skills.

The Operator's Playbook

Key Takeaways

Practical lessons distilled for operators, investors, C-levels, and capital allocators.

Lesson 01

The Power of Private Sector Advocacy

Garza exemplifies how targeted, informed private sector advocacy through global organizations like the ICC can directly influence international trade policy, regulatory frameworks, and economic development agendas, creating a more favorable environment for businesses worldwide.

Lesson 02

Leadership in Transition

Her presidency at the ICC during a period of significant global disruption (COVID-19, geopolitical shifts) highlights the importance of adaptive leadership, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to core principles like open trade and multilateralism to guide the business community through crises.

Lesson 03

Operational Acumen Meets Global Strategy

Garza's background as a manufacturing CEO provides practical, on-the-ground insight into the challenges businesses face, enriching her ability to formulate and advocate for pragmatic, impactful global business strategies and policies.

Lesson 04

Digitalization as a Strategic Imperative

Her focus on driving digital transformation in trade underscores that embracing new technologies and modernizing traditional processes is not merely an operational improvement but a strategic necessity for competitiveness and resilience in the global economy.

Lesson 05

The Value of Network and Coalition Building

Her extensive involvement in national and international business associations demonstrates the critical role of building strong networks and coalitions to amplify influence, share best practices, and achieve collective goals in a fragmented global landscape.

Mental Models

Frameworks & Principles

Named frameworks and strategic principles they popularized or embodied.

Multilateralism and Rules-Based Trade

A framework advocating for international cooperation, open markets, and adherence to established rules (e.g., WTO agreements) to ensure fair competition and predictable trade environments.

When to useWhen evaluating market entry strategies, assessing geopolitical risks, or formulating corporate positions on international trade policy and cross-border investment.

Digital Transformation in Trade (ICC DSI)

Focuses on standardizing and digitalizing trade documents and processes, moving from paper-based to electronic systems to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve transparency in international transactions.

When to useWhen optimizing supply chain logistics, implementing trade finance solutions, or seeking to reduce friction and accelerate transactions in international commerce.

Private Sector-Led Development

Emphasizes the private sector as the primary engine for economic growth, job creation, and innovation, advocating for policies that enable business activity, investment, and entrepreneurship.

When to useWhen developing economic development strategies, assessing investment opportunities in emerging markets, or advocating for policy reforms that support business growth and innovation.

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