Forum 2025 Agenda
“Transitioning into a regenerative and resilient region”
Thursday, March 27th
- 8:30 am
Registration and doors open
- 9:45 am
Opening Remarks & Regional Context: Context, change, and implications of growth.
Martin Goebel – LegacyWorks Group
- 10:00 am
Indirect impacts and risks of conventional models.
Juan Carlos Vargas – GeoAdaptive LLC
- 10:30 am
Rancho La Puerta: A Regenerative & Wellness Model
Sarah Brightwood Szekely, President of Rancho La Puerta with David Leventhal
- 11:00 am
Rancho Cacachilas: A Regenerative Model Rooted in Place
Christy Walton, Founder Innovaciones Alumbra with Martin Goebel
- 11:40 am
Coffee and networking break at Expo Foro Sustentable
- 12:15 pm
Regenerative Destinations: Examples from LATAM
Costalegre Jalisco & Xala – Stefanie Brendl and Sergio Graf
Costa Conservation Guatemala – Marco Vinicio Cerezo
- 1:30 pm
Lunch at Tiko’s
- 3:00 pm
Workshops
- 6:00 pm
Sierra a Mar Regional Dinner Experience
3:00 pm | Workshops
Waste Management and Supply Chain
Mayra Gutiérrez y Miguel Rivas- Ponguinguiola A.C.
Cynthia Menéndez
Illuminated Island: Towards the Energy Transition of BCS and Its Communities
Jaqueline Valenzuela & Arturo Salgado – CERCA A.C.
Patrick Doherty – Infracenters LLC
Dave Johnson – AGI Avant Group
Sierra a Mar: Adopting a Watershed Perspective in Tourism Projects
David Leventhal – Playa Viva
Stefanie Brendl – Xala,
Sergio Graf – CONAFOR
Routes and Roots: Discovering Rural Tourism in the Eastern Region
Rodrigo Esponda – FITURCA
The Evolution of BF Hotels: From the First Hotels in Destinations to a Sustainable Future
Beatriz Tinajero & leana López – BF Hoteles
March 27th. / 6:00 PM
A unique culinary experience celebrating local flavours, from the coast to the mountains, with local ingredients coming from ecological and community-oriented regional producers and leading chefs.
We thank the local family farms and ranches that are the heart and soul of this event.
Mercado Santiago Sustentable
Rancho El Chinal
Cooperativa Boca del Alamo
Rancho San Carlos
Cooperativa Pescadores del Tezal
Rancho Nuevo
Palma Serena
Terrafolia
Chefs
Adan Muró
OYSTER HOUSE
Edgar Roman
DON SANCHEZ
Emmanuel Loya
RANCHO CACACHILAS
Ivan Caballero
TOTO FRITO
Fabiola Gonzalez
Casa Xolo
Gustavo Pinet
WALDORF ASTORIA LOS CABOS
Hector Palacios
CASAMARTE
Lalo Pino
HAMBRUSIA
Friday, March 28th
- 6:45 am
Early morning optional activities: Guided Hike, Yoga
- 8:00 am
Breakfast at Tiko’s
- 9:00 am
Pride of Place and Belonging
Regional Voices Group
- 9:30 am
Water & Tourism Projects – Conversation Panel
Sarah Brightwood – Rancho La Puerta ; David Leventhal – Playa Viva y FCEA; Rancho Cacachilas – Gabriel Patrón
- 10:15 am
Coffee and networking break at Expo Foro Sustentable
- 11:15 am
Impact Capital: Creating an Ecosystem to Finance Responsible Tourism Projects
Rodrigo Villar – New Ventures
Josephine Korjn, – Nimbus
Henry Pardo – Innovaciones Alumbra
- 12:00 pm
Regional Innovators pitch session
The winners of the Regional Innovators Open Call will present their winning projects to the audience
- 12:45 pm
Workshops
- 2:30 pm
Closing Lunch and 2025 Program 2025 presentation
12:45 pm | Workshops
Less Distance, More Impact: Connecting Producers and Regional Markets
ASA-Alianza para la Seguridad Alimentaria
WATER: Reuse and Sanitation in the Real Estate and Tourism Sector
Requilibrium, Baja Sustainable Water, Blaux/Orenco
Facilitado por: Gabriel Patrón, Rancho Cacachilas
Boosting Dignified Employability for Sustainable and Regenerative Development in Baja California Sur
Nacional Monte de Piedad
Fundación Coppel
Colectivo Empleabilidad
Impact Capital: Activating the Ecosystem and Financing Projects
Josephine Korjin – Nimbus
Rodrigo Villar – New Ventures
Henry Pardo – Innovaciones Alumbra
¡Watch Out! Risks and Insurance Amid Environmental and Social Changes
Pablo Crain, WTW México
Arandi Torres, Cabo Insurance
Ana Sofía González, Kundavi
Sebastian Guzman, FMCN
Speakers and Facilitators
Subject to change
Sara Brightwood
President of Rancho La Puerta
She has cared for the gardens at Rancho La Puerta for more than 30 years. She leads the conservation of a 2,000-acre reserve, manages an organic farm, and founded the environmental education center “Las Piedras” in Tecate. She promoted the restoration of the Tecate River and created La Cocina Que Canta, a culinary center to promote healthy eating.
Juan Carlos Vargas
Founder of GeoAdaptive LLC
Founder and director of GeoAdaptive LLC, a global consultancy firm in territorial sustainability. His work focuses on the analysis and strategic planning of territories in transformation, combining science and community knowledge. He advises governments and international organizations on the environment, conservation, social inclusion and infrastructure.
Stephanie Brendl
Founder of Shark Allies
Shark defender and social entrepreneur, committed to ocean conservation for more than two decades. Producer of Extinction Soup, which addresses shark finning, and executive director of the SIERRA A MAR initiative, which aims to regenerate the 100 km of Costalegre, in the Jalisco region.
Rodrigo Villar
Founder of New Ventures
Social entrepreneur and founder of Adobe Capital, the first impact investment fund in Mexico, where he seeks to transform the traditional way of doing business and create a new business model that perceives impact as the status quo. He has promoted more than 4,000 social and environmental companies in Latin America. He founded "Las Páginas Verdes", the sustainability festival "Ecofest" and the "FLII" forum.
Sandra Guido
Executive Director Conselva, Coasts and Communities A.C.
Master in Marine Ecology and biologist with more than 30 years of experience in the environmental and academic fields. She has led more than 210 projects in conservation, environmental education and watershed management. Pioneer in environmental education in Sinaloa and founder of Conselva, focused on water security in the south of the state. Recognized with the Ecological Merit Award in 2020.
David Leventhal
Founder of Playa Viva and Regenerative Travel
Impact entrepreneur and expert in emerging markets, technology and impact solutions. With extensive experience in sales, marketing and hospitality. For 20 years, he has focused his efforts on driving investments to improve ecosystems and communities. His approach is based on promoting sustainable and resilient models.
Josephine Korijn
Co-Founder of New AJE Capital and CEO of NIMBUS Fund
Management of the Nimbus Fund, an impact investment fund in Mexico focused on education and the environment. Founder of New AJE Capital, investing in solutions to regenerate ecosystems in agriculture and food. Previously, she has promoted financing for small farmers in the south of the country and has worked with social entrepreneurs to optimize their ability to earn income by offering capacity development solutions.
Marco Vinicio Cerezo
Director General FUNDAECO
Economist with more than 20 years of experience in the defense of nature, the legalization of communal lands and the promotion of rural microenterprises. At FUNDAECO (Foundation for Ecodevelopment and Conservation), he has defined the institution's vision in conservation, promoting justice and sustainable development for the benefit of rural indigenous communities around national protected areas.
Christy Walton
Founder of Alumbra Innovations
Philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist with 45 years of working alongside communities to strengthen their participation, economies and natural environments. She founded iAlumbra, a collective of organizations focused on social, economic and environmental well-being. Her approach combines investment, philanthropy and the development of synergies for community resilience and environmental health, honoring local culture and history, and fostering a new generation of leaders trained to restore balance to the world.
David Johnson
Vice President, Projects- AGI Avant Group
Entrepreneur and leader in regenerative design focused on community well-being. An architect and developer with 40 years of experience, he was a Cradle to Cradle practice leader at William McDonough + Partners. He advises organizations such as Habitable Future, Build It Green and Nature Centred. Recognized as a sustainability leader at COP26, he gives lectures and promotes regenerative innovation.
Ana Sofia Gonzalez
Director of Environmental and Social Impact - Kundavi
Specialist in environmental and social impact, with a master's degree in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard. Currently, he leads 10 impact projects in San José del Cabo, promoting social infrastructure and coastal sustainability. He has been a member of the board of Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. He received the Award: Best Data Visualization Proposal for High Flood Risk Areas by the VizRiz Challenge 2019, from the World Bank's Disaster Reduction department.
Rodrigo Esponda
General Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust
Leader with 25 years of experience in promoting tourist destinations. As General Director of FITURCA, he has driven a 90% growth in arrivals and expanded air connectivity. He led the destination's recovery after the pandemic, achieving record indicators in occupancy and rates. He was Regional Director for North America at the Mexican Tourism Promotion Council. He has worked at the National Fund for Tourism Development and as a professor at New York University.
Beatriz Tinajero
Managing Director BF Hotels
Visionary leader who has developed an innovative strategy to transform tourism in Mexico, with a model that integrates sustainability, regeneration and a deep commitment to the integral well-being of people and communities, redefining the impact of the industry on the social and environmental surroundings.
Sergio Graf
General Director of CONAFOR
Agricultural Engineer specializing in forests with a Master's degree in Rural Development and Social Forestry. He was Secretary of the Environment of Jalisco. He led initiatives in the National Forestry Commission such as REDD+ and FONAFOR and has been a professor and researcher at the University of Guadalajara. He has received awards such as the National Award for Ecological Merit and the National Order of Merit of France.
Ileana Lopez
Director of Impact - BF Hotels
Specialist in regenerative businesses and transformation strategies with social responsibility with more than 20 years of experience. Ex ITAM Professional Merit Award winner, Bronze Lion at Cannes and EFFIE Social. She is currently Director of Impact at BF Hotels, professor at ITAM and Resource Development at Regenesis.
Henry Pardo
Director General of Impact - Innovations Alumbra BCS
Leader with extensive experience in the development of impact models. He has promoted initiatives that combine impact investment, technology and legal structuring to optimize businesses with a social purpose. He founded Pivvot Ventures, a Mexican venture capital firm focused on solving social problems through technology. He led his own law firm, specializing in legal structuring for business optimization. Currently, he is General Director of Impact at Innovaciones Alumbra, where he leads the development of strategies to catalyze regenerative and sustainable growth models in Baja California Sur.
Mayra Gutierrez
General Manager - Ponguinguiola AC
Marine biologist with more than 18 years of experience in environmental education and waste management strategies in Baja California Sur. In 2018, she promoted the #Desplastifícate Alliance, achieving the restriction of single-use plastics and the creation of educational materials endorsed by the SEP. In 2022, she led a change in Ponguinguiola towards the Circular Economy, promoting waste valorization ventures. Her approach focuses on multi-sector collaboration to generate sustainable solutions in waste management.
Pablo Crain
National Director WTW Mexico
Executive with extensive experience in the financial services industry, specialized in re/insurance and advisory, with a solid track record in strategy, execution and change management. His leadership at WTW Mexico offers data-driven solutions for people, risk and capital, combining global vision and local experience to strengthen strategies, organizational resilience, talent motivation and performance maximization.
Jacqueline Valenzuela
Executive Director - Center for Renewable Energy and Environmental Quality AC
She holds a PhD in Sustainable Development and Globalization, with a background in computer science, and is a research professor at the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur. She is co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Environmental Quality AC, specialized in energy and air quality in Baja California Sur. In addition, she participates in technical and advisory committees at national and international level.
Gabriel Patron
Director of Erosion Control and Watershed Management - Rancho Cacachilas
Specialist in integrated water management, development of sanitation products, water regulation and certification. Currently, he is Director of Erosion Control and Watershed Management at Rancho Cacachilas. Previously, he led the development of wastewater treatment technologies at Grupo Rotoplas. He also coordinated the Water and City Program at the Niparajá Natural History Society A.C. with a focus on watershed management and sustainable access to water.
Veronica Castro
Community Voices Group
Specialist in regenerative businesses and transformation strategies with social responsibility with more than 20 years of experience. Ex ITAM Professional Merit Award winner, Bronze Lion at Cannes and EFFIE Social. She is currently Director of Impact at BF Hotels, professor at ITAM and Resource Development at Regenesis.
Luis Garduño
Executive Director - Alliance for Food Security
With more than 20 years creating market solutions for social and ecological challenges, he has promoted collaborative initiatives that transform ideas into action. Founder of RED Travel Mexico and former distribution coordinator at Alianza Comunitaria, in 2020 he led a food relief effort that mobilized 450 volunteers and 80 organizations, delivering more than 216,000 food parcels in Baja California Sur. Recognized as a thought leader, he has been a finalist for international awards such as the Tourism for Tomorrow Award and featured by National Geographic. His passion is generating purposeful projects that balance social and environmental well-being.
Arandi Torres
President of COPARMEX Los Cabos
A businesswoman from Los Cabos with more than 25 years of experience in the tourism, restaurant and real estate industries, with a great passion for business development and building supportive communities. President of COPARMEX Los Cabos for 5 years, increasing the number of members 5 times, being today one of the most cohesive groups of entrepreneurs in Los Cabos to date.
Sebastian Guzman
Project Coordinator - Mexican Nature Conservation Fund
Renewable Energy Engineer, specialized in climate adaptation and watershed management. He leads projects at the Mexican Fund for Nature Conservation, focusing on technical design, budgeting and monitoring. He has collaborated with more than ten NGOs and entities such as UNEP, GEF and GCF, standing out in the coordination of proposals and strategic alliances. His passion is project design, research and the creation of sustainable urban and environmental policies at a global level.
Claudia Leuterio
Alliance for Food Security
Doctor
Kurt Wait
Founder of Baja Sustainable Water
Specialist in biological wastewater treatment and low-pressure desalination without chemicals, with more than 10 years of experience in solutions for agriculture, livestock, industry and residential use. Creator of a modular and portable desalination system based on low-pressure reverse osmosis with magnetic intervention. Expert in water treatment with renewable energies and improvement of the quality of wastewater and marine water. He has more than 25 years of experience in calculation, installation and operation of pumping and compression systems.
Reyna Macklis
Community Voices Group
more than a decade of experience in community outreach and conservation in non-profit organizations. Currently, he is Area Supervisor at Cortez Rescue & Outreach, focusing on the welfare of stray and abandoned dogs. Previously, he coordinated environmental initiatives at Friends for Conservation of Cabo Pulmo, promoting pride and community participation in La Ribera. With a background in public management, he has worked in the Municipal Delegation of La Ribera promoting local development.
Eric Van der Awermeulen
Founder - Requilibrium Group
Founder of Grupo Requilibrium, a company dedicated to the design and modernization of water systems with a sustainable approach. Specialist in the creation of executive projects for developments and buildings, optimizing Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) with hybrid technology to reduce costs and energy consumption. Designs and supervises passive sanitation systems with biogas generation, promoting the circular reuse of water. Its mission is to restore the balance of the planet through innovative solutions for water management.
Andres Lucero
Community Voices Group
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Fernando Leon
Project Director - Blaux Water
Specialist in sustainable wastewater management. Currently works as Project Director at Blaux Water, a Mexican company dedicated to transforming water treatment in Mexico through reliable and high-quality solutions.
Access and Registration
Secure your place at this key event for regenerative development.
Your registration includes: Access to all keynote speeches, panels, and workshops. Access to the culinary experience: Sierra to Sea Dinner—a collaboration between local chefs and regional producers from our mountains and coast, highlighting the richness of our region!. High-level networking. Sustainable Future Expo: technologies and solutions for better projects. Meals on March 27 and 28 (lunch and dinner on Thursday, March 27, and breakfast and lunch on Friday, March 28).
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