powering
US-Mexico
relations
Our Focus
MAPA brings together leaders across ideologies on our shared vision to change the paradigm and influence U.S.–Mexico relations through an ambitious framework of economic, educational, and cultural integration.
The United States’ Southwest and Mexico share a strong and unique relationship through a long history of shared culture, economy, workforce, art, cuisine, and tourism. Despite existing initiatives—like economic, trade, student, cultural, doctor and dentist exchange programs—we are encountering new challenges in our bi‑national relationship due to mounting negative federal economic policies and rhetoric in the U.S. This has created both a need to counter that narrative and a renewed commitment to this bond.
MAPA Summit Fall 2025
MAPA Summit 2025
MAPA Summit Fall 2025 MAPA Summit 2025
SEPTEMBER 17,18, 19, 2025
Mexico City, MX
The MAPA Summit 2025 will bring together over 150 participants from Mexico and the Southwestern United States to discuss pressing binational issues, explore collaboration, and promote cultural exchanges
By sponsoring the Summit, your organization will be recognized as a vital partner in shaping the future of U.S.-Mexico cooperation at the highest levels.
Attendees represent a variety of sectors: elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and business leaders with close ties to their communities and that want to strengthen binational relationships & collaboration.
our advisors
Our Advisory Board draws its members from diverse backgrounds to contribute insights on binational issues, facilitate partnerships, and help us shape policies that enhance collaboration and understanding between the Southwest US and Mexico.
Asm. David Alvarez,
Asm. David Alvarez,
Chair of California-Mexico Affairs Select Committee
Senator Edgar Flores
Senator Edgar Flores
State Senator, Nevada
Angelica Salas
Angelica Salas
Executive Director, CHIRLA
Jeff Penichet
Jeff Penichet
Board Member, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation
Sen. Richard Polanco
Sen. Richard Polanco
Former State Senator, California
Asm. Cecelia Gonzalez
Asm. Cecelia Gonzalez
State Assemblymember, Nevada
Rep. Mariana Sandoval
Rep. Mariana Sandoval
Arizona State Representative
Sen. Catherine Miranda
Sen. Catherine Miranda
State Senator, Arizona
Efrain Escobedo
Efrain Escobedo
CEO, Center for Nonprofit Management
rep. Ramón Romero Jr.
rep. Ramón Romero Jr.
Texas State Representative, Chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus
Eduardo Garcia
Eduardo Garcia
Former California State Assemblymember
Victor Manuel Perez
Victor Manuel Perez
Riverside County 4th District Supervisor
Diana Alarcón
Diana Alarcón
World Bank, Alternate Executive Director
Martha Escutia
Martha Escutia
Former California State Senator
Edgar Gonzalez
Edgar Gonzalez
Illinois State Representative 23rd House District
Javier Martinez
Javier Martinez
New Mexico House of Representatives, Speaker of the House
Martin Cabrera Jr.
Martin Cabrera Jr.
CEO & Founder at Cabrera Capital Markets
Affiliation provided for identification purposes only.
our team
Arturo Carmona
Arturo Carmona
President & Co-Founder
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Arturo Carmona
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
📧 Arturo@tzunu.com | LinkedInArturo Carmona is a nationally recognized communications and public affairs leader with nearly two decades of experience uniting communities around critical social and political issues. As CEO of Tzunu Strategies and head of the Latino Media Collaborative, Arturo brings deep expertise in policy, strategy, and coalition building across the U.S. and Latin America. He has served as a senior advisor to major campaigns—including Bernie Sanders and Andrés Manuel López Obrador—and worked with leading media and advocacy organizations like ImpreMedia and MALDEF. Widely recognized as a powerful spokesperson for the Latino community, his work has been featured in CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, Univision, and more. Arturo lives in California and enjoys traveling and spending time with his children.
Tayrin Riojas
Tayrin Riojas
Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director
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Tayrin Riojas
Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director
📧 tayrin.selina@lazosinternational.org | LinkedInTayrin S. Riojas is the CEO and Founder of Lazos International, an influential binational government relations firm focused on U.S.–Mexico cross-border policy and diplomacy. She has led high-level delegations for federal and state officials, served as Chief Advisor to the Select Committee on California-Mexico Cooperation, and is Vice President of the Texas-Mexico Binational Commission. Her work builds binational bridges of leadership, advances cooperation in shared solutions, supports sustainable energy growth, and drives meaningful change. With a proven record of aligning U.S. and Mexican public and private leaders, she brings rare expertise and critical access to complex negotiations.
A former Google Policy Campaign Brand Manager, Tayrin also serves as President of Fuerza y Unidad Hispana, a nonprofit promoting civic engagement among diverse Latino communities.
She holds a B.A. in Political Science, a B.A. in International Relations, and minors in Italian and French from Pepperdine University, as well as a Master’s in Applied Economics from the University of Maryland.
Nora Preciado +
Nora Preciado +
Co-Executive Director
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Nora Preciado
Chief Operating Officer (CCO)
Nora@tzunu.com | LinkedInNora Preciado is a seasoned social justice leader with nearly 20 years of experience advancing immigrant rights. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Tzunu. Previously, she directed Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, advising on policies impacting Los Angeles’ immigrant communities. Her legal career includes over a decade at the National Immigration Law Center, as well as roles at the ACLU of Southern California and as an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School. Nora serves on advisory committees for national immigration organizations and holds a law degree from UC Berkeley and a BA from UC Davis.
Juan Torres
Juan Torres
Vice President of Policy
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Juan Torres
Vice President of Legislative Affairs
jtorres@tzunu.comJuan Carlos Torres brings over 20 years of legislative expertise, having served in both chambers of the California State Legislature, including leadership roles such as Deputy Chief of Staff to Speaker Anthony Rendon. He has played a pivotal role in advancing landmark policies on environmental justice, education access for undocumented students, climate change, housing, and labor rights. Juan has also led efforts to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Assembly, including the hiring of its first Equity Advisor. A former Chief of Staff to key legislators and a trusted advisor on board appointments and delegation diplomacy, he continues to champion policies that uplift disadvantaged communities. Juan holds a BA in Political Science and Chicano Studies from Loyola Marymount University, and lives in Sacramento with his wife and two daughters.
Gerardo Ramos
Gerardo Ramos
Director of Public Policy
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Gerardo Ramos
Head of Government Relations, Lazos International
gramosc@consultoriafjr.com.mxGerardo Ramos is a founding member of Consultoría Flores, Jiménez & Ramos and currently serves as Head of Government Relations at Lazos International. He specializes in fostering cross-border collaboration between the business sector and the federal and state governments of both Mexico and the U.S. Gerardo has held prominent roles in Mexico’s Ministry of the Interior and the General Customs Administration, where he developed key negotiation and logistics strategies. He has also advised members of the Mexican Congress, Senate, and Mexico City Local Congress. A published columnist for Nexos and UNAM magazines, he frequently writes on public affairs. Gerardo holds a Law degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Katia Lopez
Katia Lopez
Program Manager
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Katia Lopez
Policy Analyst
Katia@tzunu.comKatia Lopez is a first-generation Chicana and lifelong resident of the Coachella Valley, driven by a passion to uplift communities facing systemic health and education challenges. A graduate of UC Irvine with degrees in Anthropology and Political Science, she also completed the UC Center Sacramento program focused on politics and policymaking. Katia has served her community in multiple roles—from interning for Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia to working as a Health Navigator and COVID-19 Contact Tracer. She is an active Delegate for California’s 56th Assembly District and a member of the Coachella Valley Young Professionals Network. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, Disney parks, and exploring new restaurants.
MAPA 2025 SUMMIT SPONSORS
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MAPA 2025 SUMMIT SPONSORS +
california-mexico day inauguration dinner
california-mexico day inauguration dinner
may 21, 2025
Sacramento, CA
Thank you to everyone who joined MAPA on May 21, 2025, at The Firehouse in Sacramento for our California–México Day Inauguration Dinner. After our Capitol reception, we came together with top California and Mexican officials to celebrate—and strengthen—the partnerships that drive our shared prosperity.
Your engagement and insights made the evening truly memorable. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing our work across the border. Stay tuned for photos and highlights from the night!
testimonials
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"I stand with my colleagues in the legislature, united by a shared vision to advance policies that promote deeper bilateral integration, keep families together, foster economic collaboration, and solidify the enduring socio-cultural bond between California and Mexico. MAPA’s work will be an integral ally in our work to reach our collective vision."
Assemblymember Juan Carrillo,
Vice Chair of the California Legislative Caucus -
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"If we act as adversaries, neither of us will thrive. Cooperation, not rivalry, is the path forward."
Marcelo Ebrand, Secretary of Economy,
former Secretary of Foreign Relations -
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"This visit reinforces the deep bonds between California and Mexico. By building bridges across borders, were not only creating opportunities for Latino communities today but also laying the groundwork for shared prosperity in the years to come."
Arturo Carmona, CEO,
Tzunu Strategies
Contact Us
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