Gabriela Quirós Mathies has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of Voces Vitales El Salvador
Gabriela Quirós Mathies (GBEL 2025, El Salvador) has assumed this role, marking a new stage for the organization. In her capacity as Chair, she will continue to promote initiatives focused on leadership, autonomy, and access to opportunities so that more Salvadoran women can develop and strengthen their financial empowerment and well-being. At the same time, she extends an invitation to institutions and the public to join this collective effort.
By Guadalupe Ramirez
The organization is part of Vital Voices Global Partnership, which works with women facing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Since its founding in 2012, Voces Vitales El Salvador has impacted 25,000 women. Its 2026–2027 action plan focuses on the development of professional women, business owners, and entrepreneurs in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with the goal of benefiting an additional 800 to 1,000 women.
In addition to its programs, Voces Vitales El Salvador has strengthened partnerships with banks, insurance companies, multilateral organizations, and consumer goods companies that support these and other initiatives including corporate mentorship and capacity building programs, building an increasingly broad network of support.
For Quirós Mathies, who currently serves as Vice President and Strategic Advisor at The Network Company, assuming the presidency of the Board of Directors—as a volunteer role—represents an opportunity to contribute from her experience in the financial sector, sustainability and investment banking. Throughout her career, she has recognized the importance of bringing practical financial education tools and support closer to more women.
Empowerment for sustainable financial well-being
In El Salvador, the business landscape is largely made up of the informal sector, and 60% of working women are employed in MSMEs. Regionally, fewer than 40% of women save for retirement and only around 30% invest, reflecting a significant gap in financial education and inclusion.
To address this context, Quirós Mathies has worked to expand access to information, tools, and learning spaces that allow more women to make financial
decisions with greater confidence.
2025 was a key year for the organization, marked by a process of adjustment and prioritization. In November, during the XIII Congress “Crece Mujer”, under the theme “From Being to Doing,” workshops, networking spaces, and conferences on leadership, finance, and emotional intelligence were held for women entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders.
For 2026, the organization plans to continue developing capacity building
initiatives focused on artificial intelligence and its integration to our day-to-day and business, and financial literacy and well-being through practical tools and knowledge around budgeting, the psychology of money, mentorship, as well as the creation of investment portfolios and the strengthening of professional networks.
Speaking about this new stage, Gaberiela highlights the importance of sharing learnings and expanding her reach.
Every journey can inspire
As a graduate of the Global Business Executive Leadership (GBEL) program, she
especially recalls a message from Dr. Ricardo Ernst, Executive Director of the Latin America Leadership Program (LALP) , about the need for Latin America to strengthen its competitiveness in an increasingly demanding global environment.
Gabriela reflects on this idea and connects it to her vision that every person can contribute from their own space, finding concrete ways to create value.
“Transforming someone’s life is not reserved for a few. Every journey offers opportunities to create impact, sometimes through simpler actions than we imagine.” – Gabriela Quirós Mathies (GBEL 2025, El Salvador)
We congratulate Gabriela on this appointment at Voces Vitales El Salvador, as well as on her commitment and work to help more Salvadoran women achieve and strengthen their financial well-being.