About Mexico Trek

Building understanding and cooperation between Mexico and the future leaders of the world through an extraordinary 9-day journey.

The Mexico Trek is an independent nonprofit initiative that seeks to connect Mexico with some of the main scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and political leaders who are currently pursuing a graduate degree at Harvard, Stanford and MIT.

We achieve this by sharing the cultural, economic, and social wealth of Mexico through various activities, exchanging ideas and perspectives, connecting Trek participants with Mexican business, political, and cultural leaders.

We are proud to be for 2 years in a row the largest independent academic student and alumni-led Trek at Harvard University, surpassing others with decades of tradition like those from China, India, and Israel.

Independence

The Mexico Trek is an independent alumni- and student-led initiative. The opinions and statements expressed by Trek organizers, participants, and speakers do not represent the views of Harvard University, Stanford University, or MIT.

The organizing team

Juan Pablo Pietrini

Co-Founder, President & Board Member — Harvard University & Stanford University

Organizer of the Mexico Trek 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027. MPA from Harvard and MBA from Stanford. Co-founder of TrustMe, winner of the Stanford Impact Founder Fellowship, and Co-founder of Calli AI Project, an AI-assisted architect via WhatsApp, backed by the Stanford Botha Chan program, sponsored by Sequoia Capital Partner Roelof Botha. Before that, he worked at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) focusing on Growth Strategy, Organization Design, and Government/Pro-bono projects. He was a co-founder of ARTizapán, an organization that creates community murals to recover public spaces in Tizapán, a high poverty town. He launched a MOOC in microeconomics, and was Teaching Fellow at Harvard. He holds a BA in Economics and a BA in Political Science from ITAM, winning the Bailleres Scholarship for Economics.

Sergio Herrera Carranza

Co-Founder & Board member — Harvard University

Organizer of the Oaxaca Trek 2024, and the 2025 and 2026 Mexico Trek. MPA/ID from Harvard Kennedy School. Born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, Sergio is passionate about connecting people to the cultural, political, and economic richness of his country. His career has focused on the intersection of macroeconomics and finance in New York, Boston, as well as at the Central Bank of Mexico, where he held various positions. He has taught economics at both Harvard University and ITAM, where he also earned dual BAs in Economics and International Relations. For his academic and professional contributions, Sergio was awarded Mexico’s National Economics Prize in 2018. Throughout his career, while working at the intersection of global markets and policy, he continiously fosters international communities of students and professionals through initiatives like the Mexico Trek. His leadership reflects his commitment to showcasing Mexico’s diversity, resilience, and opportunities to an international audience.

Rodrigo Nunez

Co-Director — Harvard University

Organizer of the 2025 and 2026 Mexico Trek. Macroeconomics professor, Mexican entrepreneur, and Head of Business Development in PROISTMO. Rodrigo holds a BA in Economics from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and a BA in Law from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). He represented Mexico during the third edition of the Global Youth Leadership Forum in Spain. His primary topics focus on how public and private partnerships can enhance government law and financial stability. He began his career as a research fellow at the Institute of Legal Research, where he focused on data analysis for public policies. Currently, he is working in the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which tends to be the cornerstone of the North American supply chains ecosystem. He is also a co-founder of DeClara, an app that simplifies taxes in Mexico using AI.

Marco Antonio Cuevas Meza

Co-Director — Harvard University

Organizer of the Harvard Mexico Trek 2024, 2025 and 2026. MPA/Mason Fellow from Harvard University. He holds a BA in International Relations from the University of the Americas-Puebla, as well as a master in International Development Policy from Duke University. Prior to joining the Harvard Kennedy School, he serverd as head of the National Employment Service in Tlaxcala, where he led initiatives to enhance labor mobility and managed several international employment programs. He launched his career in Mexico’s National Government as a staff advisor to the Minister of Public Safety, then served as research director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and most recently as senior staff advisor to the Minister of Social Development. He currently specializes in public policy design, with a focus on social policy, foreign affairs, and economic development—drawing on his cross-cultural experience to drive meaningful international collaborations.

Isabela Magaña

Manager — ITAM

Isabela is a Junior Program Manager at JumpCloud and an Economics student at ITAM, specializing in AI integration, business operations, and community building. Previously, she served as ITAM’s Student Council President, founded ITAM Women in Business (growing it to 750+ members), and earned a seat on a Editorial Board for Periódico Reforma. With a professional background spanning private equity and tech, Isabela now serves as the Manager of Coordinators for the Mexico Trek, directing logistics to connect Mexico’s top innovation ecosystem with leaders from Harvard, Stanford, and MIT.

Guillermo Casarín

Director of Participants — University of Southern California

Mexican Filmmaker. He went on to receive his MFA from USC's School of Cinematic Arts on a George Lucas Family Foundation Production Scholarship and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant. His documentary "Bad Hombrewood," which tackles Latinx representation in Hollywood and features Guillermo del Toro, Phil Lord, and Melissa Fumero, won Best Student Documentary at the Cannes Emerging Filmmaker Showcase. His work has been recognized by the DGA, the Emmys, and over 130 film festivals—many Oscar-qualifying. He has directed campaigns for clients including the White House, HBO, and CVS Health, and is currently directing a documentary for X44, the company of seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Born and raised in Mexico City.

Guillermo Tafoya Milo

Co-Director — Tecnologico de Monterrey

Organizer of the Mexico Trek 2025 & 2026. A Computer Science graduate from Tecnológico de Monterrey, and now a Software Engineer at Amazon, with a track record that bridges applied AI, healthcare, education, and the space sector. Collaborations include Harvard Medical School on AI for neuroimaging and health data science, and the MIT Media Lab on technology and product initiatives that explore how to address stressful memories. The portfolio also reaches orbit: applying satellite remote sensing to monitor infrastructure. In education, contributions with the IFE Data Hub have focused on turning large-scale learning data into actionable insights for decision-makers. Beyond industry roles, there’s a consistent commitment to building communities in social robotics and health tech, and to approaching problems with an entrepreneurial lens.

David Alvarez

Co-Director — UNAM University

Organizer of the Mexico Trek 2025 & 2026. Legal Analyst for the Government of Mexico and UNAM-trained attorney focused on corporate and financial law, regulatory and AI governance, agrarian/property and environmental matters, intellectual property, and international commerce law. He advises companies on cross-border transactions, import/export compliance, customs and free-trade regimes (including Mexico’s Strategic Bonded Warehouse), and logistics initiatives linked to the Interoceanic Corridor. Through the Mexico Trek, David curates briefings and site visits that connect decision-makers with operators, authorities, and communities, turning legal frameworks into practical playbooks for investment and public programs. He works at the intersection of policy and business to deliver accountable execution and real-economy outcomes. LL.M. applicant (2026) to Harvard Law School.

Adela Borjas

Ambassador — Harvard University

Adela Borjas is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, and is currently pursuing a Master of Architecture I (MArch I) at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. This professional program emphasizes design studios, architectural history and theory, technology, and social context, preparing students for innovative practice in architecture. Her academic work reflects a strong interest in restoration and preservation. She developed a project on the restoration of the Tucumcari Bathhouse, a historic 1940s structure in New Mexico, combining archival research, site analysis, interviews, and digital reconstructions. Her proposal offered a sensitive and historically informed reconstruction, including a scale model and detailed architectural drawings. With her background and perspective, Adela brings to the Trek a unique lens on architecture, heritage, and urban spaces in Mexico, enriching conversations around culture, history, and design.

Nallely Lomeli

Ambassador — Stanford University

Organizer of the Mexico Trek 2026. M.S. candidate in Mechanical Engineering (Energy Systems) at Stanford University (2023–2026). Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she bridges technical depth and business impact—analyzing product usage, translating customer requirements into features, and leading renewals for construction-tech clients across the Americas. Previously, she served as an Account Executive for LATAM at Odoo and as a Business Process Analyst at Emergys Mexico, driving AI, RPA, and business intelligence initiatives. During the pandemic, she co-founded NABAWA, organizing the design and delivery of 10,000 protective mask shields to 87 public hospitals in Mexico. She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Management from Tecnológico de Monterrey, and is passionate about energy efficiency and sustainable development.

Leopoldo Contreras

Ambassador — Stanford Univeristy

BS from Tec de Monterrey (Mechatronic Engineering), MS from Stanford (Electrical Engineering), PhD candidate at Stanford (Aeronautics & Astronautics). Between MS and PhD studies, performed vehicular autonomy research at the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford and did independent consultancy for QM Power, a startup in electric motor technology. Before joining Stanford, he was a Calibration Engineer at Ford of Mexico, and was awarded patents in Germany and China for a regenerative air brake. During undergraduate studies, performed hardware design and prototyping for FPV drones at 3D Robotics. A lifelong USA/Mexico dual citizen, Polo is passionate about strengthening ties between Mexico and other cultures and nations, confident that promoting cross-border understanding is key to advancing the standard of living globally.

Sofía Terrazas

Ambassador — MIT

Organizer and link to MIT for the 2026 Mexico Trek. Sofia is an MBA candidate at MIT Sloan, with a BA in Economics from ITAM and over six years of experience at the intersection of finance, product, and technology. She began her career at Banorte, where she joined the bank’s first experimentation team, applying behavioral insights to design savings products that nudged clients toward better financial habits. Later, she joined Fintual, a leading wealth management startup in Latin America, as Product Manager, driving initiatives to democratize access to investing through data-driven product development. Passionate about fintech and financial inclusion, she leverages her expertise in product strategy, behavioral science, and data to build tools that empower people to make better financial decisions.

Rubí Sandoval

Coordinator — ITAM

I’m a Law student at ITAM and a Coordinator at México Trek. I’m particularly interested in criminal law, white-collar crime, and animal protection. I’ve always enjoyed writing and was the winner of a writing competition organized by El Supuesto, ITAM’s student newspaper. Outside of law, I have a strong passion for the arts. I’m currently pursuing professional training in visual arts, with a particular focus on oil painting, and I also enjoy photography and creative writing. I love traveling, playing tennis, and meeting new people while learning from different perspectives. I’m also passionate about volunteering and social impact, having supported initiatives focused on women’s economic independence through fundraising and organization.

Luis Enrique Calderon Berges

Coordinator — ITAM

I’m a Business Engineering student at ITAM interested in strategy, entrepreneurship, consulting, and innovation. I enjoy meeting new people, learning from different perspectives, and getting involved in projects that go beyond the classroom. I’m especially interested in understanding how businesses grow, make decisions, and create value

David Cobos

Coordinator — ITAM

I'm a freshman Economics student at ITAM interested in investment banking, capital markets, and how capital gets allocated and deals get structured. I enjoy understanding how businesses are valued and how strategic decisions translate into financial outcomes. I gravitate toward the parts of this work that happen through conversation, and I'm always looking to learn from people further along in the path I'm building toward.

What participants say

“I am originally from Odesa, Ukraine, and for me Mexico once felt like a faraway place known for beautiful weather and warm people. But spending time there on the Mexico Trek helped me truly feel and understand the country in a deeper way. From meeting policymakers and learning about economic development, to watching sunsets on the beach and breathing in fresh ocean air. From tasting mangoes of my life with a stranger who quickly became one of my closest friends [...]. I am grateful for this…” — Elmira T.

“Mexico Trek was one of the best ways to spend spring break. Over 8 days, we went from the pyramids to the Senate chambers in Mexico City to cenotes in the Yucatán to the beaches of Cancún, and it all felt seamlessly organised without ever feeling rigid. The organizers were responsible, warm, and genuinely invested in making sure every participant had a great time — they thought of everything, from logistics to speaker lineups to making sure we actually experienced Mexico beyond the tourist…” — Shreya G.

“The organizing team did a phenomenal job with planning the trip and making it as meaningful and impactful as possible for everyone. The visits to the Senate and the Secretary of Economy in Yucatán were unforgettable. The trip was amazing in that it showed how culturally beautiful Mexico is. I will forever cherish this trip and be extremely grateful to the organizers for their hard work, dedication, and patience.” — Jaquelin T.

“It was a great time in Mexico, fantastic people. This trip changed my perspective on Mexico and the opportunities which lie ahead are immense. This place has a rich history and natural beauty.” — Chahat S.

“I had a great time and I loved to see how the team provided attention at a very personal level. Will definitely do Mexico again!” — Prakhar P.

“The trek was well organized and provided a comprehensive view of Mexico, covering everything from politics and history to culture, as well as its natural and human beauty. Visits to Teotihuacán, the National Museum of Anthropology, and Chichén Itzá offered unforgettable journeys into the country's past, and the discussions in the Senate and with local officials in Mérida gave real insight into Mexico's political and economic development. Everything was of the highest standard: food,…” — Nurlan T.

“Fantastic organization, great people, beautiful places, good mix of culture, politics and relax.” — Carlo G.