Full Name
T.H. Maria Eugenia Brizuela de Avila
Job Title
Executive Coach; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Current Employer
Republic of El Salvador
Speaker Bio
Mayu is a courageous woman breaking down barriers with work ethics and service. Born within a Latino culture, life taught her to stay true to her values bringing her to be the first woman to hold positions in private and public sectors considered as “impossible”. Mayu began by becoming one of few female law students, paying her studies at Universidad Nacional in El Salvador amidst a civil war, graduating from Universidad Matias Delgado. She holds additional academic studies in French Civilization (Sorbonne, Paris), Insurance (Zurich), Master Business Administration (INCAE), and Sustainable Business Postgraduate (University of Cambridge). She is now also a Certified Executive Coach.
Mayu started with family businesses. Later in 1997 founded Internacional de Seguros becoming first woman President of an insurance company. From 1999-2004 she was the first woman Minister of Foreign Affairs of her country. In 2004 first woman President of a private bank. In 2007 after being one of few female CEO’s globally in HSBC, she pioneered Corporate Sustainability in Latin America. She is now involved as Independent Director on Banks and Insurance Companies Boards in El Salvador and Honduras, the Stock Exchange El Salvador, as well as Board Member in nonprofits locally and globally as Vital Voices, Junior Achievement and first woman Vice President of INCAE Business School. She is a Commissioner in the International Commission on Missing Persons based in The Hague, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at Atlantic Council in Washington DC, member of the Advisory Board of the Private Sector Regional Centre in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals based in Bogota, and other nonprofits. Married for over 44 years with three children and three grandchildren.
Mayu started with family businesses. Later in 1997 founded Internacional de Seguros becoming first woman President of an insurance company. From 1999-2004 she was the first woman Minister of Foreign Affairs of her country. In 2004 first woman President of a private bank. In 2007 after being one of few female CEO’s globally in HSBC, she pioneered Corporate Sustainability in Latin America. She is now involved as Independent Director on Banks and Insurance Companies Boards in El Salvador and Honduras, the Stock Exchange El Salvador, as well as Board Member in nonprofits locally and globally as Vital Voices, Junior Achievement and first woman Vice President of INCAE Business School. She is a Commissioner in the International Commission on Missing Persons based in The Hague, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at Atlantic Council in Washington DC, member of the Advisory Board of the Private Sector Regional Centre in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals based in Bogota, and other nonprofits. Married for over 44 years with three children and three grandchildren.
Speaking At