Alejandra Rios: From Finance to Shark Tank México and Global Leadership
Alejandra Rios is a dynamic Mexican business leader, investor, and speaker whose career blends finance, entrepreneurship, and inclusive leadership. Known globally as one of the investors on Shark Tank México, she has become a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and executives. With more than 15 years of experience in strategic management, innovation, and finance, Rios embodies resilience, vision, and commitment to social impact. Her journey reflects both corporate excellence and a strong dedication to diversity and gender equity.
Early Life and Education Of Alejandra Rios
Academic Foundation
Alejandra Rios was born on October 16, 1986, in Mexico. From an early age, she displayed a strong aptitude for business and leadership. Her academic journey began at Tecnológico de Monterrey, one of Latin America’s leading universities, where she earned a degree in Financial Management. She graduated with top honors, achieving the highest GPA of her class, and received multiple awards for academic excellence and leadership.
Advanced Studies Abroad
To broaden her perspective, Rios studied International Business at the University of California, Berkeley and pursued leadership and management courses at New York University. She also completed a business management diploma at Universidad Iberoamericana.
Her most transformative academic experience came at Harvard Business School, where she earned her MBA between 2015 and 2017. At Harvard, she was active in multiple clubs, including the Hospitality & Travel, Wine & Cuisine, and LGBT Student Association, while also serving in leadership roles for Latin American student groups.
Professional Journey
Early Career in Finance
Alejandra Rios began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Alfaro, Dávila & Ríos in Mexico City. Working in partnership with Lazard, she developed valuation models, advised companies on mergers and acquisitions, and led due diligence processes for large corporate transactions. This early exposure to high-stakes finance honed her analytical skills and gave her a deep understanding of strategic business growth.
Success at Alsea and Starbucks
Her career took a significant leap when she joined Alsea, the multinational restaurant operator that manages brands such as Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza, Burger King, and P.F. Chang’s. She rose through the ranks, serving as Financial Planning Manager for Starbucks Mexico before becoming Senior Manager of Financial Planning and M&A for Alsea’s international operations.
In these roles, Rios managed financial performance across 18 business units in Latin America and Spain, including turning around Starbucks Argentina. She also led the acquisition of Grupo Zena in Spain, a deal valued at €270 million, showcasing her strength in international negotiations.
Leadership at Ambrosía
In 2017, Rios returned to her family’s business, Ambrosía, a prestigious catering and culinary services company in Mexico. She started as Director of Ambrosía Corporativo, later becoming CEO in 2019. Under her leadership, Ambrosía modernized its services, strengthened its market position, and navigated the challenges of the global pandemic.
In June 2024, she was appointed Executive Chairman, a role in which she continues to guide the company’s strategic direction while mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Role on Shark Tank México
Becoming a Shark
In 2021, Alejandra Rios joined Shark Tank México as one of the show’s investors. Her participation marked an important milestone, not only for her career but also for representation in business television. As a lesbian entrepreneur and investor, she brings diversity and visibility to the program while championing inclusive entrepreneurship.
Investment Focus
Rios has invested in more than 25 startups through Shark Tank México and beyond. Her portfolio spans e-commerce, consumer products, technology, and the food & beverage industry. She is particularly passionate about businesses that balance profitability with positive social and environmental impact.
Inspiration to Entrepreneurs
Her presence on the show has inspired countless young entrepreneurs, especially women and LGBTQ+ founders, to pursue their business dreams. Her advice emphasizes resilience, customer-centric innovation, and building organizations that reflect values of equity and inclusion.
Advisory Roles and Global Engagement
Beyond her executive and investor responsibilities, Alejandra Rios serves on several advisory boards. She has been an Advisory Board Member for Laureate Education, Inc., which operates universities in Mexico and Peru, and for Pacto, a restaurant and bar technology company.
She also joined the Harvard Business School Alumni Board in 2023, representing alumni worldwide and strengthening the school’s global network. Additionally, she is a member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), a global leadership community of CEOs and executives.
Speaking Engagements and Public Influence
Keynote Speaker
Rios is an in-demand keynote speaker at international conferences and corporate events. She speaks on topics such as:
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Inclusive leadership
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Diversity and gender equity
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Entrepreneurship and innovation
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Strategic management in uncertain times
Her speeches often emphasize that successful companies must be built on values of fairness, inclusion, and service excellence.
Awards and Recognition
In 2022, Rios was recognized as one of the One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award winners, highlighting her impact as a business leader committed to social transformation. This recognition placed her on a global stage as one of the most influential entrepreneurs shaping the future.
Personal Life and Identity
Alejandra Rios is open about her identity as a lesbian entrepreneur, making her one of the few openly LGBTQ+ business leaders in Latin America with mainstream visibility. She uses her platform to advocate for equality, representation, and the importance of authenticity in leadership.
As of 2025, there is no public information confirming marriage or children. Instead, her public presence focuses on her professional achievements, advocacy, and role as a mentor to new generations.
Alejandra Rios on Social Media
Her Instagram profile, @alerisp, reflects her professional and public life. With over 253,000 followers and more than 1,200 posts, she shares insights into her work as an investor, her public speaking activities, and her role on Shark Tank México. Social media has amplified her influence, making her a recognizable figure beyond boardrooms and television.
Legacy and Vision for the Future
Alejandra Rios’s legacy is still in progress, but her impact is undeniable. From high-level corporate finance to leading a family business and mentoring startups, she has carved out a reputation as a forward-thinking leader. Her emphasis on inclusion and equity makes her not only a successful executive but also a changemaker in Mexican society.
Looking forward, Rios aims to continue expanding her investments, nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, and using her influence to drive systemic change in both business and culture.
Conclusion
Alejandra Rios exemplifies modern leadership: strategic, inclusive, and socially responsible. Her journey from financial analyst to Executive Chairman of Ambrosía and Shark Tank México investor demonstrates her vision and determination. With her global education, professional expertise, and passion for equity, she has become an icon for business leaders across industries.
Whether mentoring startups, leading a major company, or addressing thousands at an international conference, Alejandra Rios continues to inspire others to innovate, lead with purpose, and build a more inclusive future.
