Xóchitl Gálvez is a Mexican tech entrepreneur and business leader, an advocate for women and indigenous people, who has pledged to to fight for democracy and the rule of law and against impunity and corruption. Gálvez’ has been recognized for her business acumen ; in 1994 she was named businesswoman of the year by the Mexican Association of Women Business Owners, in 1998 Business Week recognized her as one of the 25 Latin American new business elite, and in 2000 she was recognized at the World Economic Forum in Davos as one of the 100 global leaders of the world’s future.
Gálvez entered public service during the administration of Mexican president Vicente Fox, who sought to bring women entrepreneurs into leadership positions. Fox appointed Gálvez as head of the Presidential Office for the Development of Indigenous Peoples, where she worked to shape the project to bring recognition to the rights of indigenous people and offer opportunities for sustainable development. Her efforts led to the creation of the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples, which in 2018 became the National Institute of Indigenous People.
Gálvez made her first foray into electoral politics in 2010, when she ran unsuccessfully for the governorship of Hidalgo as the candidate of a coalition representing the traditional opposition parties of that era (National Action Party [PAN], Party of the Democratic Revolution [RD], Workers Party, and Convergencia). Her first electoral success came in 2015, when she was elected as the head of the government of Miguel Hidalgo, a district in Mexico City. In 2018, Gálvez was elected to the Senate as a PAN member. She served for two legislative sessions until November 2023, when she stepped down to enter the 2024 Mexican presidential race.
The Georgetown Americas Institute, Sociedad Civil México, the Georgetown University Graduate Association of Mexican Students, National Autonomous University of Mexico, and the Ibero Students Association welcomed Xóchitl Gálvez for a conversation in which she shared her perspectives on Mexico with the Georgetown community.
This event was co-sponsored by the Georgetown Americas Institute, Sociedad Civil México, the Georgetown University Graduate Association of Mexican Students, National Autonomous University of Mexico, and the Ibero Students Association.