Marcela González started in 2010 at resin and chemical supplier Grupo Solquim of Mexico City, where she learned about the benefits and uses of plastics in the pharmaceutical, household and other industries.
"I like to be part of the ways that culture is changing when it comes to plastics, especially as people can learn to use it in a better way," she said.
González "defined and implemented the new guidelines for several departments at Solquim." In 2015, she helped with the merger between Solquim and resin distributor M. Holland Co. — which she calls a great achievement — and became a decision leader at M. Holland Latinoamérica.
González is the administration and risk manager for M. Holland in Mexico. She is in charge of the administrative and risk areas for the M. Holland Latinoamérica and oversees legal, hiring and credit processes.
She earned a bachelor's degree in law from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. She previously was a member of the employee board and speaker about risk issues for Cadeco Industries.
"My biggest accomplishment is reaching my current position despite the challenges that often come with being a woman in the legal field," she said.
When the coronavirus pandemic started, González had to transition to working from home. "Also, I needed to make space to understand my co-workers' new work-from-home lives and how they were adapting to this new reality, be emphatic and think about their families," she said.
What she learned in the process was how to balance work and family life, "now that it all was in the same place." One thing about the industry that surprised her was how important it has become in helping to "overcome challenges from the pandemic."
"What seems like bad or difficult news can be an opportunity if you are open to see it," she said. "Always challenge yourself to find new opportunities within this growing industry."
Q: What job do you really want to have in the future?
González: Chief operations officer because I have a vision for new projects and opportunities.
Q: What is your personal "mold" that you are breaking?
González: To fully believe in myself and remember that no matter how big the challenge, I will always accomplish what I need.
Q: Who is your mentor or someone you look up to?
González: I look up to God for everything, and my admiration for my husband has helped me to make some of the best decisions of my life.