Women Entrepreneurs, STEM Professionals Strengthen Development

Women entrepreneurs and STEM professionals are reinforcing their role as key drivers of economic growth and innovation across Mexico, as new leadership takes shape within the business sector and female participation in science and technology continues to rise nationwide. The swearing-in of the new board of the Mexican Association of Women Business Owners (AMMJE) Leon, Guanajuato for the 2026–2028 term underscores the expanding influence of women-led enterprises in the Bajio region, while national data show historic gains in women’s participation in higher education and STEM fields.

AMMJE Leon formally installed its new board, led by President Beatriz Balleza, in a ceremony that reaffirmed the strategic role of female entrepreneurship in regional development. Cristina Villaseñor, Guanajuato’s Minister of Economy, administered the oath of office, highlighting the organization’s contribution to job creation, competitiveness and business diversification. AMMJE Leon brings together women business owners and entrepreneurs from a wide range of productive sectors, positioning the association as a key platform for economic collaboration in the state.

Supporting MSMEs

Beyond leadership changes, AMMJE Leon has established itself as a critical business network for MSMEs in the Bajio. Through commercial linkages, strategic alliances and business development opportunities, the organization helps strengthen local supply chains and expand market access.

The association promotes a collaborative model of female leadership focused on professionalization, experience-sharing and value creation within regional production chains, generating a measurable impact on Guanajuato’s economy.

Looking ahead, the new board faces the challenge of expanding women’s participation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem with a strategy centered on innovation, sustainability and the scaling of women-led businesses. Job creation, the strengthening of local companies, and the consolidation of business networks continue to position AMMJE Leon as a relevant actor in Guanajuato’s productive environment, at a time when female entrepreneurship is gaining greater influence in economic decision-making.

Mexico Boosts Women’s Role In STEM, Innovation

At the national level, similar momentum is evident in education and innovation. In 2025, women accounted for 57% of professional degrees and licenses issued in Mexico, marking a historic increase in female participation in higher education, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), according to the Ministry of Public Education (SEP).

SEP reports that more than 700,000 professional licenses were processed and over 1.1 million degrees registered in 2025, with women representing the majority. Women also earned credentials in military-related fields, signaling broader access to traditionally male-dominated professions, reported MBN. 

Education Minister Mario Delgado attributed the progress to gender equity policies, administrative modernization and expanded access to education under President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration.

Despite the gains, structural inequalities remain. UNESCO data show that women represent only 35% of students enrolled in STEM programs, with participation dropping below 20% in fields such as mechanical engineering, information technology and pure mathematics.

INEGI reports that women make up roughly 30% of Mexico’s technology workforce, with even fewer occupying leadership or research positions. Laura Tamayo, Director of Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability, Bayer, describes the low representation as both a social inequality, and an economic loss, citing missed opportunities for innovation and competitiveness.

Strategic Actions And Sector-Specific Challenges

International organizations including the OECD and McKinsey Global Institute consistently link higher female participation in STEM to productivity and economic growth. Tamayo outlined four priorities for 2026: integrating scientific education from early schooling, strengthening mentorship and scholarship networks, implementing inclusive labor policies in strategic sectors, and ensuring women’s meaningful participation in innovation ecosystems.

Sector-specific challenges further underscore the need for technical training. Ana Muñoz, Director of Mujeres WIM de México, noted that mining faces increasing operational complexity, digital transformation and social scrutiny. Fewer than 25% of women in mining hold technical or technological roles, and only 40% of companies offer targeted training programs. Continuous education, she said, is a strategic investment for competitiveness and legitimacy.

Industry leaders note that closing the STEM gender gap is both a social and economic imperative. Women in STEM earn on average 24% more than in other fields, yet occupy only 13% of STEM jobs and 15.5% of technology sector positions in Mexico. Programs such as Samsung Mexico’s Solve for Tomorrow and internal mentoring networks at Merz Aesthetics Latam complement educational efforts by promoting leadership and visibility for women in science and technology.

Experts agree that 2026 presents a strategic opportunity for Mexico to leverage female talent in high-growth sectors. By combining policy reforms, corporate initiatives, and early educational programs, the country can strengthen innovation, enhance competitiveness, and expand economic growth while advancing gender equity in STEM fields.