The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Saadia Zahidi has been appointed as the organization’s director general , making her the first woman to hold this position, which she will assume on November 1, 2026.

Saadia Zahidi joins IATA from the World Economic Forum (WEF) , where she served as  CEO and Board Member .

“Saadia’s long and distinguished experience at the World Economic Forum will strengthen IATA as the voice of the world’s airlines. Global air transport is a trillion-dollar industry that has changed and continues to change the world for the better. This appointment comes at a time of significant change in the international environment. Technology and geopolitics, among other things, will transform the industry in the future, and Saadia brings the right skills to effectively articulate what our industry needs to continue connecting people and economies safely, efficiently, and sustainably. He will bring a fresh perspective that will enhance his support for the airline industry, building on his well-established technical, financial, and data capabilities,” said Roberto Alvo, Chairman of the IATA Board of Trustees and CEO of LATAM Airlines Group .

Willie Walsh, former Director General of IATA, completed his duties on July 31, 2026. The IATA Board of Trustees has appointed Sandrine Le Borgne, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Services, as interim Director General for the interim period.

“I thank Willie for his exceptional leadership, which helped IATA emerge from the COVID-19 years stronger and with a more representative membership than ever before. We now look forward to Saadia taking IATA’s work to even greater heights,” Alvo said.

Zahidi spent more than two decades at the World Economic Forum , where she was a managing director and a member of the Board of Trustees. She founded and currently directs the Center for the New Economy and Society.

She previously led the WEF’s Global Communications Group, the Global Programming Group, and the WEF’s collaboration with academia, civil society, and international organizations. She also founded and co-authored the WEF’s Future of Jobs Reports, Future of Growth Reports, Global Gender Gap Reports, and Lead Economists’ Outlook. She has served on the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment and the European Space Agency’s High-Level Advisory Group. She is the author of “Fifty Million Rising,” which chronicles the rise of working women in the Muslim world.

In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Smith College, an MPhil in International Economics from The Graduate Institute, and an MPA from Harvard University. She holds both Swiss and Pakistani citizenship.

“It is an honor for me to help advance IATA’s mission to represent, lead, and serve the airline industry at this crucial time. Aviation is a critical infrastructure for economic growth, trade, tourism, jobs, investment, and opportunity. In a rapidly changing world, IATA’s role in uniting the industry to collaborate through trusted standards, essential services, and advocacy has never been more important. I look forward to working closely with our member airlines, governments, and partner ecosystem to build on IATA’s remarkable foundation, ensuring that aviation continues to connect the world while embracing innovation, strengthening resilience, and advancing sustainable growth. Together, we can extend the benefits of connectivity to more people and economies around the globe. My top priority will be working with the IATA team and the industry to build the future of aviation together,” Zahidi emphasized.

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American Airlines has appointed Paola Torri as Chief Operating Officer for Mexico and Canada, a move that seeks to support the continued growth and strength of the airline’s operations in two of its most important international markets.

“It is an honor to assume this new role and continue building upon the strong foundation our teams have created in Mexico and Canada. Throughout my career at American, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and talent of our people, and I am excited to work alongside them to further strengthen our operations, improve reliability, and deliver the exceptional service our customers expect,” said Torri.

The airline stated that this appointment is part of a broader reorganization of the management team across the region, building on the strong foundation established by the late Tony Gutiérrez, followed by José María Giraldo, who recently moved into a key leadership position in the United States.

Paola has over 25 years of experience at American Airlines . Most recently, she served as People Business Partner for the international division, based in Mexico City, supporting teams in Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. She will continue to be based in Mexico City and will report to José A. Freig, Vice President of International Operations and In-Flight Catering Services.

American Airlines will offer more than 600 weekly flights this summer and up to 760 weekly flights during the peak winter season, including its recently expanded service to Puerto Escondido. In Canada, it will operate more than 390 weekly flights and continues its expansion with new service between Calgary and New York, complementing its existing service at LaGuardia.

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The National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ) appointed Jesús Sáenz as its new president during its 67th Ordinary General Assembly. He succeeds José Carlos Pons, whose term has ended . The new president previously served as CEO of Quimobásicos .

Sáenz has a 30-year professional career in multinational companies, where he has held  management positions in regions such as South America, Europe, Africa, and Mexico . During his time at Cemex , he served as general manager in the Czech Republic and also as vice president of Strategic Planning and International Trade .

He has also participated in business organizations, most notably serving as president of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE) Northeast and as a board member of various industrial and economic development institutions . His experience encompasses expertise in mergers, acquisitions, finance, and sustainability .

Sáenz assumes the presidency amid challenges such as the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is crucial for the regional flow of chemical inputs . The organization will seek to address issues of regulatory certainty and access to competitive energy sources . It will also prioritize the development of logistics infrastructure and compliance with environmental regulations .

On the other hand, the tenure of José Carlos Pons, who has now completed his term, was marked by progress for the sector. His period was notable for strengthening dialogue with authorities and defending competitiveness in the face of regulatory changes . Furthermore, he promoted an active agenda in sustainability and the circular economy.

ANIQ comprises 258 companies that represent more than 95% of the country’s private chemical production . The association was founded on November 11, 1959, as a civil association .

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Samsara announced the appointment of Julia Monroy as Area Vice President of Sales (AVP) for Mexico , with which the company seeks to strengthen leadership development and continue raising industry standards in the country.

“This appointment reaffirms my commitment to the development of the industry in Mexico, and a new stage to promote innovation, strengthen our strategic alliances and generate a sustainable impact on business growth during this year and in those to come,” Monroy emphasized.

Julia Monroy joined Samsara in April 2019 and, prior to this role, served as Director of Corporate Sales . In that position, she led the commercial strategy for key and high-impact accounts in the Mexican market.

Monroy has driven business growth by building strong client relationships and leading sales teams. His approach has focused on the adoption of technology that enables secure and efficient operations , generating value for the organizations he works with.

She has over 15 years of experience in Mexico and Latin America leading growth strategies. Monroy holds a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering and a Master’s degree in International Business from Tecnológico de Monterrey . She is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the University of San Francisco .

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with global technology companies in Silicon Valley, including Cisco Meraki , where he deepened his experience in innovative solutions and customer-centric business strategies .

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In a context where foreign trade, technological transition and global supply chains are redefining the pulse of the industry, the  National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) has appointed Alejandra Rosete Conde as its new Director of Foreign Trade and Economic Studies , as reported by the organization in a press release.

ANPACT highlighted that Rosete’s arrival responds to the need to strengthen technical and strategic capabilities in an increasingly complex environment for heavy vehicle manufacturers.

The economist, with more than 15 years of experience in international negotiations, public policy and economic cooperation , immediately joins the management team that represents the main cargo and passenger producers established in Mexico.

From this position, he will lead the agenda for market access, foreign trade, legal, fiscal and sustainability issues, as well as the development and statistical analysis of the sector, the statement highlighted.

ANPACT emphasized that the industry is going through a turning point marked by technological modernization and the need to strengthen competitiveness.

In this scenario, Rosete’s incorporation will strengthen institutional dialogue and provide strategic information for the decision-making of the members.

Rosete Conde’s career includes key positions in the Ministry of Economy , where he participated in negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement between Mexico and the European Union (EU-Mexico FTA), the Pacific Alliance and the financial services chapter of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (USMCA) .

At the Mexican Tax Administration Service (SAT), he represented Mexico before the World Customs Organization and led high-level groups with partners such as Canada, the United States, China, and Japan. Most recently, he served as Senior Economic Officer at the Australian Embassy in Mexico.

Her work at ANPACT will be aligned with the association’s 2035 mission and vision , which envisions a safer, more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable industry.

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