Agribusiness and Value Added

Ana Cristina Villalpando

Founding partner and former Director General of the Jalisco Agricultural and Agroindustrial Development Council (CDAAJ), where she consolidated 80% of the leading producers in the state.

More than 10 years of experience in the agro-industrial sector, both in the private sector and in public service.

She has directed the First International Agro-Food Congress and several national and international events for the benefit of the sector.

She has carried out projects and agro-industrial fairs for the Secretariat of Rural Development of the Government of Jalisco.

She has a degree in Administration and Industrial Relations with training in Senior Agribusiness Management (IPADE) and the Food Seminar in Miami.

Francisco Seva

International Coordinator of the National Mango Board and International Communications Consultant for EMEX.

More than 20 years of experience in corporate communications and marketing for agricultural organizations, SMEs and agri-food companies.

He has managed press and communication offices in several associations and agribusiness companies in Spain.

International contributor to media such as EUROFRUIT MAGAZINE and AMERICAFRUIT and author of two books on the citrus sector in Spain.

Recipient of several journalistic awards, such as the International Award “La Voz del Campo” in 2018.

Noris Ledesma

Worldwide specialist in tropical fruit genetic resources, with an emphasis on mango and the development of disease-resistant hybrids.

Currently consulting in the United States, Mexico, Peru, and Saudi Arabia.

Recognized as Best Commercial Horticulturist by the Florida Horticultural Society for five consecutive years (2017-2022).

She has collected genetic resources in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, studying more than 600 mango cultivars and 30 mango species.

Co-author of 6 books and numerous scientific publications on tropical fruit trees.

Hiram Ibarra

Director of Austar Latin America, an agrochemical project with presence in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Peru and Chile since 2004.

More than 19 years of experience in agribusiness, consulting, business management and entrepreneurship.

Founder of the Latin American Organization of Young Agribusinessmen (OLAJ) and creator of the Agribusiness Coach, Mentor & Advisor concept.

MBA in Agribusiness from the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil.

Active member of mentoring programs in Latin America and independent consultant since 2021.

Luis Taube

More than 15 years of experience with Grupo Alta.

Currently Zone Director in Jalisco.

Team leader and specialist in process improvement in competitive environments.

Previously, he was head of the Procurement Department at the Mexican level and managed acquisitions at the corporate level for 3 and a half years.