Huge congratulations to changemaker, Alejandra H. Zita CIS, SEPC, for winning the MPI México Chapter 2023 Heel Award for Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
She received the award as the key representative of Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement)’s work in the Latin-American region, and that of Evensus, her own consultancy based in México.
We are so proud of her ongoing support for and commitment to advancing regeneration in tourism and events. Her recent work with FIEXPO Exhibitions Group and the Intermoda 79 fashion event is a wonderful example of this.
We chatted to her about her journey and what winning means to her.
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What does receiving the Heel Award on behalf of GDS-Movement and Evensus Consultancy’s work mean to you?
“From a professional perspective, I feel honoured to represent both brands in México & Latin America and am very happy that our work is recognised with this prestigious award. It encourages our mission and purpose in the sustainability journey.
From a personal perspective, I also feel so grateful and humbled; I take this award as a blessing to continue working with heart and purpose.”
Tell us a little about the work-and-study journey that earned you this win
“As well as working for more than 15 years in hotels and events agencies (DMCs), I studied a Bachelor of Tourism Management. Witnessing the negative impacts created by our industry, I began to feel that I needed to make a change, but I did not know how when I first enrolled in a Diploma in Leadership for Sustainability at the Anahuac Cancun University in 2016. When I graduated, I realised I had found my path, but I needed to learn more as the Diploma was not enough for me. I decided to take a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Tourism at the University of International Cooperation of Costa Rica (UCI).
With this new learning and my professional experience, I designed the first Spanish-language certified course in sustainable events which was launched in México in 2017. I began connecting with international sustainability leaders, and later I joined GDS Movement, and the rest is history.”
Tell us a little about your work with Intermoda 79, the seminal Mexican fashion expo, and FIEXPO Latin America
“Developing the event sustainability strategy with Intermoda for their event in Guadalajara, México and with FIEXPO Latin America for their event in Panamá City has been an amazing experience. I have learned a lot about these incredible organisations, connecting and collaborating more with the MICE industry through both. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with such amazing people. Their teams’ purpose, support, and commitment is inspiring. We are in the first stage of both projects so we will continue collaborating to reach their objectives and make transformative changes in this region and in the industry.”
– Read more about Intermoda 79 here
– Read more about FIEXPO Latin America here
What inspires you to keep taking the many steps that lead to huge sustainability wins for all?
“My main inspiration is Mother Nature. The sustainability path is about connecting and feeling that we are part of nature and everything that is alive in it. As inhabitants of this beautiful planet, we have a great responsibility to care for and preserve it for future generations. That should be our unifying purpose. Loving and caring for this great home that we share and that keeps us alive. My personal and professional activities are a way of giving back to Mother Nature for everything she gives me every day.”
- Find out more about Alejandra here