We recently connected with Marcela Celorio and have shared our conversation below.

Marcela , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

At the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, our primary mission is to assist and protect Mexican nationals. To accomplish such endeavor, we provide multiple citizen services such as passports, birth certificates, and even an attorney when needed. In addition, even if the Consulate may be considered a bureaucratic office, we are convinced that art and culture are essential elements to take into consideration. In this regard, we have immersed ourselves in the world of producing, editing, and writing our own materials. This work has helped us to better inform and serve the Mexican community, mainly during challenging times, such as the pandemic. We have hired a pool of young and creative people (musicians, artists, producers) whose input has been significant among the Consulate professionals, including lawyers, administrators, and accountants. In this regard, they work part-time at the Consulate and are able to have the means to keep working on their artistic goals in their free time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

I am a Mexican Diplomat who has served in the Middle East, Europe, and mainly in the United States. Over the years, I have been conducting research and writing about topics related to dual nationality and citizenship, border issues, national security and the integration of North America, as well as intercultural understanding and cross-border diplomacy. In the United States, I have been posted as Deputy Consul at the Consulate General of Mexico in New York and as Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, California. In that position, I developed the concept of Cross-Border Diplomacy. Nowadays, I serve as the Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles, and my team and I are not only committed to serving the Mexican community but also to achieving a dialogue between cultures. In this regard, since being appointed in Los Angeles, I have fostered an intergenerational and intercultural understanding between Mexicans, Mexican American and Americans. As an attorney from the Escuela Libre de Derecho, I am very proud to be the first woman to reach the rank of Ambassador. I am committed to encourage and support more women to become diplomats. I speak fluent English and have knowledge of French, Italian, and Hebrew.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I was little, I felt different from my fellow classmates and even within my family. I had a lot of dreams and wanted to do many things, but people around me always questioned if that was possible. At that young age, I demonstrated character to pursue my goals and dreams. I faced many challenges, starting with being a woman in a Mexican society that was expecting me to be a traditional housewife. Instead, I became an attorney and not just that, I also traveled the world backpacking, which was a great challenge at that time. Also, pursuing a diplomatic career in a men’s world was not easy. They would usually see you as an assistant, but I worked hard to demonstrate that I could have a place at the table, negotiate, and ultimately become an Ambassador.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Currently, my studies at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University have had a big impact on me. I believe we always have to keep on learning, and it was very important for me, as a leader, to learn from this program and my colleagues. For instance, I have learned that when you and your team face a challenge, the solution is not just on the leader´s shoulders, as it is impossible to be a “one-woman show.” Everybody has to be involved and assume their share and try to find a solution that is empathetic, good in nature, and at the same time serves the majority.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/losangeles/index.php/es/
• Instagram: @XBorderAmb
• Linkedin: Marcela Celorio
• Twitter: @XBorderAmb

Image Credits
Andrea Hall