5 Questions With… Lorena Villanueva

Key Summary

In the latest installment of Five Questions With…, Lorena Villanueva, Mexico Operations Director, discusses the forces shaping Mexico’s rapidly growing electronics industry and shares why collaboration, continuous learning, and strong relationships are essential for building a robust electronics ecosystem.

1. What is the most important shift happening in the electronics industry right now, and why does it matter?

I think the biggest shift is that companies are realizing they can't succeed alone anymore.

Of course, AI, automation, and new technologies are changing our industry, but what I see every day in Mexico is that the companies growing fastest are those that collaborate. They work with universities, government, suppliers, and even other companies.

Nearshoring has created a great opportunity for Mexico, but taking advantage of it is not just about building more factories. It's about building a stronger ecosystem. For me, that's the real shift, and that's why it matters.

2. What is one challenge the industry must solve in the next 3–5 years, and what will it take to get there?

Talent. Without a doubt. The demand for skilled people is growing much faster than we can prepare them. We cannot expect universities to solve this alone, and companies cannot solve it alone either. The only way forward is by working together. Industry, academia, government, and organizations like the Global Electronics Association all have a role to play.

I've seen amazing things happen when you bring the right people into the same room. Sometimes one conversation can start a collaboration that changes opportunities for hundreds of students. And that’s what we are here for, to change the future of the electronics industry in México through better preparing its talent for the next 3 - 5 years. 

3. What differentiates companies in Mexico that are thriving right now from those that are struggling?

The companies that are thriving stay connected. They don't wait for opportunities to come to them. They participate, build relationships, invest in learning, and become part of the community. The ones that struggle are often working in isolation. They may have great technology, but they miss what's happening around them.

One of the biggest differences I see is how companies think about training. The ones who see it as an investment rather than a cost are the ones who are thriving.

In Mexico, business is still built on trust. Technology is important, but relationships still make a big difference.  I have a saying I’ve lived by for most of my career: Relationship Precedes Results.  And I truly believe it. 

4. What can companies do to better attract and retain talent?

I think we spend too much time asking how to attract talent, and not enough time asking how to make people want to stay.

People want to keep learning, they want mentors, they want to feel that their work matters, and that someone believes in their potential.

Training is important, of course, but creating a sense of belonging is just as important.

When people feel they are part of something bigger than their job, they usually give their best.

5. What’s one lesson you’ve learned that still shapes how you lead today?

One lesson I've learned is that relationships always come first.

Early in my career, I thought leadership was about having the right answers. Today, I think it's more about bringing the right people together and creating the conversations that lead to solutions. That is why you see me every week connecting people through an event, an interview, a keynote somewhere, or even a social media post. 

I've always liked the saying, "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." As I've gained more experience, I've realized that sometimes the best way to lead is by helping others connect, collaborate, and succeed.

Some of the best projects I've been part of didn't start in a boardroom -and you can ask Rebeca, our brilliant Marketing Manager. They started over a cup of coffee, a late-night dinner after a conference, or with a simple introduction between two people.

At the end of the day, technology connects devices, but people connect industries. That's something I never want to forget.