Meet Ingrid Orozco, she is Global A representative at The Private Office of Sheikh Saqer Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, National Coordinator at ITC- SheTrades at International Trade Centre, Senator to Mexico by WBAF at World Business Angels Investment Forum, and President at Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), she is global Mexican citizen and prosperity creator, a change-maker.
Who is Ingrid Orozco?
I’m a dreamer, natural diplomat, and magic maker!
How were you as a kid?
I was always curious, because of my parents’ work we were moving constantly, so we lived in different cities and used to travel a lot, that’s why I became a travel passionate and, in a way, always loving discovering new places, people, cultures, countries!
“Life is an enrolling game and communication is a very important skill to generate peace and prosperity”
You hold a bachelor’s degree in International Relations at Tecnológico de Monterrey, a master’s degree in Diplomacy and Protocol at Instituto Europeo Campus Stellae , International Business and Trade Promotion at Harvard Business School, why did you choose those courses of study?
Because I always knew that I wanted to continue discovering new places and showing mine (Mexico) then I started to discover the magic of diplomacy and economics, how everything is related and got a new passion; generating agreements between my country and others to grow together, to generate prosperity and in a way integral development. I found in diplomacy the right vehicle to do that. At the end life is an enrolling game and communication is a very important skill to generate peace and prosperity.
You have worked as Consular Officer, International Affairs, Business development & Diplomacy Director, International Director, Young Leader of the Americas Initiative, Executive Director, and different important companies as: SRE, Global BMT Consulting, Mujeres de las Americas, US Department of State, Ulead International. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned over the years working in these important organizations?
- If you have a dream, you go for it and don’t listen the people that always say “no” to you…
- Everything is possible if you have a vision and clear intention.
- Being perseverant, proactive, and personable
- That the sky is not even the limit, if there are women leading missions to mars.
“The future is not built on possibilities and numbers, it is built on clarity of vision, and the intention/ action to make this a reality”
Tell us more about the 4 roles you have in different institutions: Global A representative at The Private Office of Sheikh Saqer Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, National Coordinator at ITC- SheTrades at International Trade Centre, Senator to Mexico by WBAF at World Business Angels Investment Forum and President at Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT)
All of them are related to promote trade, investment, to generate more opportunities for women, and the most important to create prosperity, working in the competitiveness of the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are the motor and heart of any economy.
You are an Internationalist, corporate diplomat, and an expert in strategy, trade promotion, business expansion, innovation, and competitiveness, you have developed, and implemented several projects in America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. What´s the recipe for your success?
First, I believe in myself, on that I can do and reach whatever I am really committed with. I always set a vision, then action, and implementation are crucial. Because at the end the future is not built on possibilities and numbers, it is built on clarity of vision, and the intention/ action to make this a reality. And another important aspect, leadership is not a position for me is an action….
You are a very busy woman and I see you have participated in different associations: what does it drive you?
Sharing the magnificence of our country and culture, and people, also connecting to create something together, that’s the most important part, I was born to connect, to generate understanding and from there, is no limit…
What does a normal workday look like for you?
I’m flexible, it depends, my day is usually full of meetings, conferences, events, projects to create etc., but every single morning I set three main tasks that must complete, and I get committed with myself to make them happen, no matter what!!
I’m very careful to eat on time (5 times a day small portions), to have at least 30 min to meditate or practice any sport ( I love belly dance), and to make quality time for my family and pet that I love with all my heart!
“Be fully convinced about you, your work and your product or service competitiveness and make them perfect if they are not… don’t doubt about it and don’t give up when the first “stone” appears on the way”
What do you love most about your job?
The diversity of projects, the connections that we make, and the opportunities to negotiate with many different cultures to make companies grow, people learn and be better versions of themselves in many places… There is in every day something new, and different… I love that…
We work in a very customized way what let us get closer with the owners of companies, governments, agencies and in a way, building bridges of understanding to get positive results, we love to make the impossible, possible!
What is the most difficult part?
Waking up early to get calls from the other side of the world (Just joking…) To be honest maybe when we get the heart, time and all to prepare proposals and we don’t win them for a reason… we value a lot our work, my people and the value added that we put in any project, that for us is priceless…
What is one strategy that has helped you to grow your business?
Effective communication that creates real connections, being proactive, passionate, and giving all of me to make things happen!
Do you have a book, podcast, or talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking?
Uff many… but the ones I have in mind now are:
- Ikigai – Héctor García
- El poder de poder – Santilli, Paula/Bauer, Monica/Seldman
- 50 estrategias que cambiaron la historia- Daniel Smith
- The year of yes- Shonda Rhimes…
Just to mention some…
“You can have it all, it is a matter of time management, vision, intention, organization, teamwork, and effective communication”
Do you have any philosophy that guides your career decisions?
I love and enjoy what I do and that makes the whole difference…
What are the Do's and Don’ts for women who want to expand their business internationally?
Do’s
- Be curious, and open to go everywhere and talk to anybody. Don’t judge, Take risk with the most information as backup!
- Be fully convinced about you, your work and your product or service competitiveness and make them perfect if they are not… don’t doubt about it and don’t give up when the first “stone” appears on the way
- Hire a professional team or advisors, and educate yourself on the process, read and ask always! Ulead makes you a leader globally! uleadinternational.com
- Learn another language, and get the protocol course to know traditions, do’s – don’ts about other places, people, and the way to do business or simply to behave! These make the difference to connect! Connect from heart not from measured interest… be authentic and clear on your expectations!
Don’t’ s
- Don’t choose a place to sell your products or services just because you think is good, or because you like it… Get a complete report, market intelligence process, or gather all the information as possible to reduce risks before going or send products!
- Don’t assume or behave as you are used to if you go to places where cultures or religions are very different learn about them!
- Don’t take it personal, ask, clarify, and communicate to build bridges of understanding.
Everybody has had dark moments in their lives, what have you done to get out of that phase?
Believing in my dreams, and that everything is possible when I have the clear intention, vision, and act in consequence! Family support has been a blessing in my life always! Also, to choose the right partner in life is crucial for women and men! Someone to team up and accepts/ honor how you are, in good and bad!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Yoga, travelling, gathering with friends and family, sharing moments with my pet, and getting inspiration for the next while reading…
“I am always moving one step forward while preparing and learning new skills, taking courses, updating myself on many fields, and in general working on my own competitiveness”
Many authors say women can and must strive to have everything – a shining career, a blossoming family life and a perfectly balanced lifestyle all at once, others point out that– then women are placing unrealistic expectations on themselves if they believe they can have it all, I don´t know if you are married and have kids, so according to your experience, what do you think about these statements?
You can have it all, it is a matter of time management, vision, intention, organization, teamwork, and effective communication...
What are your plans?
To keep making the “impossible” possible and it goes for everything; personal projects, breaking glass ceilings, international agreements, support more women to C-level positions, and simply to get a positive impact in every single action, word, or step that I do.
There is still the glass ceiling for women in the world: Fewer opportunities, jobs underpaid just for that fact of being a woman, etc. Have you experimented with the glass ceiling? If yes, what are the biggest challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them?
Yes, Many times… Maybe being cheated, betrayed, or blocked by other women, while being offered low salaries, also frauds from close men friends, I have also experimented the classic “ Where is your boss? But I always said “I’m the boss” with all self confidence and attitude!
And I have overcome them working on myself first, getting every time the best version as possible in an integral way; physical, emotional, and spiritual… I am always moving one step forward while preparing and learning new skills, taking courses, updating myself on many fields, and in general working on my own competitiveness.
What tips, can you give to young girls who want to become like you?
Become the best version of yourself! Be authentic, unique, original… You already have the power to do it just realize, embrace, and make it work, look for the things you enjoy and love to do, and then do them big and correctly while never stop learning! Education is the best scaling up driver, that’s pure magic!
I think in your position, many people may have the wrong idea of who you are, and what do you (professionally), with this idea in mind, what is being Ingrid and what´s not?
An authentic, loving, passionate, and powerful natural diplomat woman, an entrepreneur, advocate for women empowerment, global Mexican citizen and prosperity creator, I’m a change-maker!
I’m not unreachable, early bird at all…
Who is the woman you admire the most and why?
I admire so many… could not say just one… But in general, I admire women and mother earth because we all have this power to create the most valuable and intangible: life!
What else do you want to add or share with us?
Thank you very much and it is always an honor to share and being able to inspire somebody and impact lives through some words … that’s part of my mission on earth… get a positive impact or create a better world. At the end sharing is caring and the more you give, the more you receive!
Name: Ingrid Orozco Fernández
Sector: International Trade and Economic Diplomacy
Company: Ulead International/ International Trade Centre/The Private Office Of Sheikh Saqer Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi
Designation: CEO/ National Coordinator ITC- SheTrades / Global Representative
Country: Mexico
Social media:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingrid-orozco-69985585/
