Foro Mujer Actual Highlights Women Transforming the CaliBaja Region During 17th “Frontera Única” Edition

TIJUANA — The 17th edition of the Foro Mujer Actual, titled “Frontera Única,” brought together prominent women leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, and public officials from across the CaliBaja region on March 10 at the Centro Cultural Tijuana in Tijuana. Organized by Mujer Actual magazine, the event recognized 50 women whose professional achievements and leadership have made a positive impact in their communities and industries.

The annual forum has become a key platform for highlighting female leadership along the U.S.–Mexico border, celebrating the stories, experiences, and accomplishments of women shaping the region’s social and economic landscape.

The event was led by Saida Muriel, founder and publisher of Mujer Actual, who emphasized that the forum’s mission is to amplify women’s voices and recognize their contributions across multiple sectors.

“Now that we are in March, the most important month for women, we feel very fortunate and grateful to have this media platform that allows us to make women visible, elevate them, and share their success stories so they can inspire others to move forward,” Muriel said during the event. Through her magazine, she has consistently highlighted the achievements and leadership of women throughout the region.

Muriel, a communications professional with more than 25 years of experience in radio, television, and print media, founded Mujer Actual nearly two decades ago. A graduate of Universidad Iberoamericana in Tijuana with a bachelor’s degree in communications, she later earned a master’s degree from the Higher Institute of Marketing in Barcelona, Spain. Over the past 19 years, her publication has organized two major forums annually that combine conferences, networking opportunities, and recognition ceremonies for influential community leaders.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Teresita Balderas Beltrán, Syndic Attorney of the Tijuana City Council, who served as the event’s special guest and participated in presenting awards alongside Muriel.

During her remarks, Balderas Beltrán highlighted the importance of initiatives that foster women’s leadership and visibility in professional and civic spaces.

“This type of initiative is extremely valuable,” she said. “The work done by Mujer Actual in recognizing women from different fields helps highlight the contributions they make to the development of our communities.”

As part of the forum’s program, a cross-border dialogue also took place featuring diplomatic representatives from both countries. Alicia Kerber Palma, Consul of the Embassy of Mexico in the United States, participated in a conversation with Christopher Teal, head of the U.S. Consulate General Tijuana. The discussion addressed the unique dynamics of the CaliBaja border region and the importance of binational collaboration in strengthening economic, cultural, and social ties.

Among the women honored during the ceremony were Mónica Vega Aguirre, director of the State Public Services Commission of Tijuana; Yanina Rubio Bojórquez, director of CETYS University’s Tijuana campus; and journalist and media executive Ellie Burgueno.

After receiving her recognition, Vega Aguirre expressed gratitude for sharing the distinction with other accomplished women.

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to share this recognition with so many remarkable women,” she said.

Rubio Bojórquez also reflected on the significance of the award, describing it as both a personal achievement and a broader acknowledgment of women’s contributions across sectors.

“Today I feel deeply grateful for this recognition,” she said. “It is not only a personal milestone, but also a reminder of the important work women carry out every day.”

The forum also featured an exhibition area where organizations, entrepreneurs, and authors presented their projects and initiatives. Among the exhibitors was Ellie Burgueno, editor-in-chief of Beyond Borders Gazette and the weekly newspaper Imperial Valley Insight. Burgueno showcased her published books and connected with attendees interested in journalism, leadership, and personal development.

Her recognition during the event highlighted a distinguished career in cross-border media and communications, where her work has focused on strengthening dialogue and collaboration between communities in Mexico and the United States.

The forum concluded with networking opportunities and reflections on the importance of continued collaboration among women leaders working to advance social, economic, and cultural progress in the border region.

With its 17th edition, the Foro Mujer Actual reaffirmed its role as one of the region’s most influential platforms dedicated to celebrating leadership and inspiring future generations of women across the CaliBaja megaregion.