UFM Business Day 2026 Brings Business Leaders Together to Discuss Innovation and Leadership
Universidad Francisco Marroquín (UFM), through its Faculty of Economic Sciences, held Business Day 2026 on August 6 at the Juan Bautista Gutiérrez Auditorium in Guatemala City. Under the theme “Empowering Minds, Transforming Futures,” the event brought together business leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals for a series of discussions on innovation, leadership, technology, and the changing dynamics of the business environment.
The annual gathering was designed to provide participants with perspectives from professionals across different industries while encouraging continued learning and the exchange of ideas. Mónica de Zelaya and Carolina Uribe opened the event, setting the stage for a program that included international and local speakers. Beyond its business and educational agenda, the event also supported UFM’s Impulso al Talento Académico (ITA) scholarship program, with proceeds benefiting students who demonstrate academic potential but have limited financial resources.
International Speakers Address Innovation and Business Challenges
One of the featured presentations came from Nuno Lopes Alves, regional president of Visa for Latin America and the Caribbean, who delivered a session titled “From Friction to the Future: Visa’s Innovation Journey.” His presentation explored how innovation is changing the payments industry and the way businesses approach commercial transactions. His participation brought an international perspective to discussions about technology and the evolution of financial services.
The program also addressed leadership and organizational challenges beyond technology. Rafael Alberto Smith, director of landside and cargo operations at Punta Cana International Airport, presented “Resilience on the Road to Success,” focusing on the role of resilience in professional development and business leadership. Meanwhile, Juan Ignacio Ardón, founder and director of THINK, explored generational differences and the challenges of communication through his presentation, “Why Is It So Difficult for Us to Understand Each Other? A Psychological Look at Generational Differences.” Together, these sessions examined how organizations can respond to changing expectations, work environments, and business demands.
Business Education and Scholarships Remain Central to the Event
Business Day 2026 also highlighted the relationship between professional development and access to higher education. Through the ITA scholarship program, UFM supports talented students with limited economic resources, helping them pursue university studies. Directing the event's proceeds toward this initiative connected the business conference with an educational objective beyond the exchange of professional knowledge.
By bringing together speakers from different industries and backgrounds, the event offered business professionals an opportunity to examine innovation, leadership, resilience, and human behavior from multiple perspectives. Its 2026 edition reinforced the university's role in creating spaces where academic learning and practical business experience can meet, while supporting opportunities for the next generation of Guatemalan professionals.
Source: Guatemala.com
