In an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm, anecdotes and purpose, Grupo T21 held the first edition of Conexión 21 , an event that brought together more than a decade of generations of the renowned 21 Young People of T21 , an experience of intergenerational connection in the sector.
T21’s 21 Young People is an initiative that for more than a decade has highlighted emerging talent that is transforming the industry in Mexico.
In this context, young and experienced voices gathered in the same space with the same intention of sharing, inspiring, and accompanying.
The evening unfolded in a dynamic format: each panel was led by a mentor with extensive experience in the industry, who shared personal reflections, key learnings, and advice with the attendees, who then indicated where they are in their careers. This fostered an authentic, generous, and forward-thinking dialogue.
In every corner of the room, mentors and young people conversed, listened to each other, and found common ground between different but complementary paths.
Industry icons shared their experiences from afar, not from the podium.
Erik Markeset, CEO of Tsol ; Reto Malfatti, Supply Chain Professional; Francisco Fabila, Managing Director of Ferrocarril y Terminal del Valle de México ; Rafael Martínez, Senior Director of CS&L HUB MTY at Mondelez International ; Juan Pablo Pacheco, Director of HAF Logística Internacional ; Sandra Aragonez, Senior Director at Alvarez & Marsal ; Elsy Ocejo, VP of Supply Chain at ILLES Foods ; and Daniela Zarza, Business Director Premium at Union Pacific Railroad , were the mentors who guided the roundtable discussions, where they talked about their beginnings, the moments when they had doubts, what helped them make difficult decisions, and the people who shaped their path.
Each story was accompanied by questions, reflections, and gratitude from the audience.
During the conversations, key topics such as leadership, talent development, strategic vision, training, and the importance of human connection for professional growth were addressed.
Osiel Cruz Galindo, Corporate and New Business Manager at Grupo T21, offered a message that outlined the meaning of this initiative.
“Global companies are already implementing formal mentoring programs; in 2024, 92% did so, compared to 84% in 2022. It’s a clear trend. However, in Mexico, only 50% of companies have adopted it, many of their own free will. There’s still much to be done,” he emphasized.
Cruz Galindo emphasized that having a mentor can increase the chances of career advancement by up to 58%.
“This isn’t a formal process, and we don’t intend that to be the case, but we do want tonight to inspire you to seek out a mentor, someone who has traveled a similar path to the one you’re embarking on and who can offer real guidance,” he said.
The evening concluded in a highly motivating atmosphere, with a shared dinner and conversation among all attendees, as if each conversation sowed a spark of possibility.
Connection 21 thus consolidates its position as a breeding ground for meaningful professional relationships, committed to young talent, collective learning, and continued leadership in the transportation and logistics sector.
With information from Karina Quintero .
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