I am a global financial strategist and senior advisor with over 30 years of experience in international banking, wealth management, cross-border financial operations, and large-scale transformation. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on combining analytical precision with hands-on execution, helping institutions navigate complex financial, operational, and regulatory challenges across Israel, Europe, the U.S., and Latin America.I began my career in Israel, building deep expertise in private banking, structured products, and global investment advisory while working closely with high-net-worth clients, family offices, and multinational corporations. Over the years, I’ve specialized in compliance, risk management, custody solutions, operational automation, and fintech-driven modernization—delivering measurable results in demanding environments.Today, I serve as a senior external advisor to Grupo Salinas, one of Mexico’s most influential business groups, where I help lead strategic initiatives across its financial, retail, insurance, media, and technology platforms. I also advise on international custody, global banking relationships, regulatory compliance alignment, and cross-border capital-market strategy. A key part of my work is bridging Israeli innovation with global financial institutions—introducing advanced fintech, Insurtech, defense, and agritech technologies to accelerate transformation across Latin America.I pride myself on discipline, transparency, and the ability to execute under pressure. My strength lies in aligning diverse stakeholders, simplifying complex challenges, and delivering strategic impact in fast-moving, high-stakes environments

Magdalena Carral has held several positions in the public and private sectors and currently heads her own company, Carral, Sierra y Asociados, which specializes in Communication Solutions.

From 2002 to 2005 she served as head of the Mexico Tourism Board and then as Commissioner of Immigration. Under her direction, the Immigration Service was moved under the umbrella of National Security. During her tenor in Immigration, she focused on promoting a culture of respect for migrants' human rights and strengthening the administrative structure. As a result of her leadership, Mexico was recognized internationally as a country key to understanding the challenges of immigration.

Previously, Magdalena Carral served as President and CEO of Edelman Mexico, subsidiary of the largest independent public relations firm.

Magdalena is an economist who graduated from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo of Mexico (ITAM), where also holds a diploma in International Affairs.

She founded and was Co-Chair of Women Corporate Directors (WCD) Mexico and currently serves as an Independent Director on the Boards of Scotiabank Mexico and SURA Insurance. Additionally, she is Co-Founder and member of the Board of the Mexican Council on Foreign Affairs (COMEXI); former President and member of the Board of Trustees of the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso museum; former President of the International Women's Forum (IWF) Mexico and former member of the International Women's Forum Leadership Foundation board; Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation Tagle; member of the Advisory Editorial Board of the newspaper El Universal; Board member of the Hospital de La Ceguera; member of the Board of Directors of the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington D.C., Board member of Este País magazine. Board member of UC San Diego Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies,

Named among the 100 most Powerful Women Forbes 2022.

Nació en la Ciudad de México en 1972. Es Licenciado en Administración por la Universidad Anáhuac Campus Estado de México. Inició su carrera en Grupo Financiero InverMéxico como promotor en el área de Banca Corporativa.

Ha impartido diversos cursos y seminarios en México, así como en Estados Unidos, Brasil, Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador y Guatemala. Desde 1993 a la fecha ha trabajado en diversas empresas del Sector Financiero Nacional e Internacional como: Banco Santander, Bloomberg, Experian, Grupo Bursátil Mexicano, BlackRock, Deutsche Bank, EDM y CI Banco, siendo su última posición como Director de Promoción, reportando directamente al Director General de CI Estrategias.

A partir de abril de 2023, decidió independizarse como Asesor Financiero, con énfasis en Inversiones. También se involucra en otras áreas de negocio como Banca de Inversión, Divisas y Derivados y Fiduciario.

Regularmente es invitado a dar diversos cursos y seminarios en materia de Inversiones y Mercados Bursátiles en Eventos, Universidades y Empresas tanto en México como en otros países.

Actualmente vive en la Ciudad de México y tiene 2 hijos.

Commercial Officer Lauren Coughlin joined the Foreign Commercial Service in Mexico City in 2022 as a Commercial Officer and Standards Attaché. She covers issues related to technical barriers to trade in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and she covers the energy, ICT, environmental services, financial services, chemicals, and textile industries in Mexico. Lauren most recently completed her FCS domestic tour in the Philadelphia US Export Assistance Center. Before joining FCS in 2020, Lauren was a policy advisor with the American Petroleum Institute, covering refining, fuels, and later climate change and ESG. Though a native of Maryland, Lauren attended Troy University in Alabama for her undergraduate studies. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the George Washington University.

A career Senior Foreign Service Officer, class of Career Minister, John Breidenstine began his assignment as Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City in August 2023. Before his current assignment, John served as the Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs and ASEAN Regional Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok (2019-2023); Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs and Senior Commercial Officer for Europe at the U.S. Mission to the European Union (2015-2019); Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs in London (2011-15); U.S. Consul General in Hermosillo, Mexico (2008-11); Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia (2006-08); and Commercial Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City (2003-06). Prior to a 2002 reconstruction- related assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, John’s postings included: Ankara, Turkey (1997-2002); Tashkent, Uzbekistan (1994-97); Kuwait City, Kuwait (1991- 93); and Munich, Germany (1990-91). Before joining the Foreign Service in 1990, John studied international relations at the University of Miami (1987-88) and at the Free University of Berlin (1988-89) and worked as an Account Executive for International Paper in New York City and Atlanta (1984-87). A 1984 graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina, John is married to Judith Valdes of Mazatlán, Mexico. They have three children – Victor Manuel, SofiaGrace and JohnDavid.