From the President

I feel honored to be elected as President of the U.S. Mexico Chamber of Commerce Southern California Chapter (“USMCOC”).  I accept this position and will proudly represent this amazing organization.

I will be in this position for the next two years.  I am committed to the US Mexico relationship. I will share a little of my personal story to put in perspective my direct connection. I am a duly licensed attorney in Mexico and the U.S. as well as  dual citizen. I was born in San Diego and lived and grew up in Tijuana, Baja California.  I am bilingual and bicultural. After graduating from law school in Mexico and working in Monterrey and in Tijuana several years, I decided to obtain a Master’s Degree in international law and also become a U.S. attorney.  My law practice both in Mexico and in the U.S. is focused on cross border transactions impacting the U.S. and Mexico. I have always understood the tremendous importance of U.S. Mexico interactions.  Mexico and the U.S. have an interdependent relationship, and they each play a unique role for each other’s economies, cultures, and livelihoods.

Mexico and the United States as neighbors are intertwined in many aspects. Their relationship is deeply rooted and goes beyond trade and business ties; it includes culture, history, and family ties. As any relationship, it has had its highs and lows but it has always been stronger, when it has centered on the idea of building a partnership based on the principles of mutual respect, dialogue, and empathy.

The USMCOC has been for many years, and will continue to be, committed to strengthening the bridges that have been built between the two countries, as partners and neighbors. We are currently living in unprecedented and challenging post-pandemic COVID times where our relationship is being questioned.  So, more than ever, it is important for the USMCOC to foster a healthy partnership between the two countries. 

I intend to work with the current members of the USMCOC, as well as with the Board, to support our existing and new sponsors developing programs and initiatives to further the efforts past USMCOC Presidents and members to keep the USMCOC continually evolving and becoming a stronger voice for these goals.  I also want to encourage new companies on both sides of the border to become members and work with the USMCOC. 

With the support of our amazing staff, I want to continue to have programs, networking events, seminars, conferences and international trade missions to achieve the organization’s goals.  Also intend to have as many in-person events as possible in Los Angeles, San Diego and Tijuana.

Please join me in continuing to make our USMCOC a unique platform for international relations and strengthening all the ties and connections between Mexico and the U.S. 

Sincerely,
Laura M. Nava