María Elena Orantes López
Cónsul General de México en Houston
Meet your Consul General
María Elena Orantes is a woman with an extensive career in the political, academic and business fields. Throughout this outstanding career, she has become an inspiring leader.
She is originally from Chiapas, Mexico. Her influence has left a significant mark in the political and social sphere. Serving as President of the 50 + 1 collective and currently, as Consul General of Mexico in Houston, her tireless work focuses on promoting gender equality and strengthening bilateral relations between Mexico and the United States.
Educational trajectory:
❖ She worked as an academic at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and obtained a Master's degree in Administration.
❖ She has several diplomas, including from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, the José Ortega y Gasset Foundation and Havard University.
Political trajectory:
❖ She served as a Senator for Chiapas.
❖ She is a former federal Representative in the 59th and 63rd legislatures and state Representative in the Congress of Chiapas.
❖ She became the Secretary General of her Political Institute.
❖ She is lifetime National President of the Commission for Women in the Mexican Society of Geography and Statistics (SMGH).
Business trajectory:
❖ She is the General Director and founding president of ICADEI, A.C. (Institute of Training and Integral Development).
❖ She is a partner and shareholder of ORLO, S.A. de CV, Gasolineras del Norte de Chiapas.
❖ She has actively participated as an international speaker and as a motivational and feminist leadership coach.
She is the author of several books such as:
❖ "El Reto de ser Mujer" (The Challenge of Being a Woman).
❖ "La Historia del 8 de Marzo" (The History of March 8th).
❖ "La Política con Rostro de Mujer" (Politics with a Woman's Face).
❖ "Oigan… también soy mamá" (Listen... I'm also a Mom)
❖ Among other publications...