By María Sánchez

“As a Mexican woman holding a prominent position in the fashion industry, I feel compelled to contribute significantly to Mexico.”

With over 16 years of experience in marketing strategies, brand positioning, brand awareness, luxury, and beauty, Maria Fernanda Hernandez Franco, born in Mexico, serves as the Director of Public Relations, Marketing, and Sustainability at Luisa Via Roma, one of the largest online luxury retailers worldwide.

Luisa Via Roma was founded in 1929 on Via Roma, Florence, by Luisa Jaquin and Lido Panconesi and is currently under the leadership of her great-grandson, Andrea Panconesi. This fashion conglomerate is undoubtedly a showcase of the new era of fashion, featuring brands such as Alexander McQueen, Dolce&Gabbana, Balmain, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Manolo Blahnik, Valentino, Loro Piana, among other luxury brands offering clothing, accessories, beauty products, and even home decor.

As a Hispanic woman, Maria Fernanda leads the marketing department for Mexico, Latin America, Spain, and the Hispanic market in the United States, developing projects that emphasize women’s empowerment, climate change, education, and other socially significant topics.