Why is so much business conducted half a world away in often adversarial countries?

Following the success of first two years of the “Make It With Mexico” conference, the Independent Voter Project is bringing even more stakeholders together for 2025.

Legislators and industry experts, from both sides of the border, will discuss complex business and policy considerations around a simple idea:

We Should: Make It With Mexico.

The Make it with Mexico conference is modeled after the Independent Voter Project’s Business and Leadership Conference, held each year in Hawaii for the last two decades.

We encourage participants to bring their families, to stay the weekend, and to dress casual.

The Independent Voter Project believes that a more relaxed setting encourages more open conversation, honest dialogue, and more opportunities to build the authentic relationships necessary to advance good ideas.

Join us. Let’s Make It With Mexico.

2025 LEGISLATIVE HOSTS

Assm. Blanca Pacheco, CA

Chair, California RULES CommitteE

Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco currently serves as the Chair of the California Rules Committee. She was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent Southwestern Los Angeles and holds a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.

Blanca's career includes impactful roles such as the Mayor of Downey and as a successful practicing attorney, always maintaining a deep-rooted commitment to public service. As the daughter of a nurse and a bus driver, combined with her experience in municipal law and community development, she has become a leading advocate for fostering cross-border economic and policy discussions between California and Mexico.

Blanca Pacheco, Make it With Mexico Legilsative Host

Sen. Brian Jones, CA

California Senate Minority Leader

Brian has served in the California State Senate since 2018. He is the current Senate Minority Leader of the California Senate Republican Caucus. He also serves as the co-Chair of the Senate Outdoor Sporting Caucus. In the Senate, he has sponsored legislation that tackles homelessness, keeps our communities safe, lowers the cost of living, and removes bureaucratic barriers for businesses and Californians.

Brian W. Jones was born on a military base in Austin, TX, and his family moved from Colorado to San Diego County when he was ten years old. He attended Grossmont College and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at San Diego State University.

Dip. Rocío López Gorosave, MX

Senator for Baja California

Rocío López Gorosave earned her degree in Biology from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California. Throughout her political career, she has been affiliated with the Labor Party (PT), the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), and currently with the National Regeneration Movement (Morena). López Gorosave has held various public offices, including serving as a local deputy in the XXII Legislature of the Congress of Baja California and as the Official Mayor of the state government. In 2024, she was elected as a federal deputy representing Baja California's 4th District in the LXVI Legislature of the Mexican Congress. In this role, she serves as the secretary of the Commission on Fisheries and is a member of the Commissions on Economy, Commerce, and Competitiveness, as well as Infrastructure.

Dip. Gilberto Herrera Solórzano, MX

De la Zona Norte al Congreso Federal, Diputado

Diputado Gilberto Herrera Solórzano represents Tijuana’s 6th district in Baja California as a member of the Morena party. In the LXVI Legislature with over 15 years in politics, he has served on key commissions addressing economic development, has championed for education, social welfare & equity. He is known for his dedication to vulnerable communities.

Also as a former advisor on Northern Border Affairs and current member of the Border Issues Commission, he focuses on sustainable growth, regional progress, and strengthening cross-border ties. As former rector of the Autonomous University of Baja California, he brought a focus on innovation and academic growth to his public service.

Gilberto Herrera, Make it With Mexico Legilsative Host

Sen. Gustavo Sánchez Vásquez, MX

Senator for Baja California

Senator Gustavo Sánchez Vásquez represents the state of Baja California. He is a graduate of Law from the Autonomous University of Baja California and holds a Master’s in Tax Law. His career includes serving as Mayor of Mexicali and Deputy in the Baja California State Legislature.

Senator Sánchez Vásquez is committed to strengthening Mexico’s economic and commercial ties with the U.S. while advocating for security, justice, and economic prosperity. He is an active member of the National Action Party (PAN) and serves on key Senate committees focused on economic development and governance.

HOST COMMITTEE

Denise Ducheny

Former State Senator
‍

Roberto Moreno

Binational Liaison

Juan Manuel Hernandez Niebla

Former State Citizen's Security Council President

Steve Peace

Former CA Director of Finance

Stephen Walker

Director of Correctional Health
CCPOA

Juanita Martinez

CEO, Martinez Consulting

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Make it With Mexico conference is an educational conference for legislators and industry representatives. Lobbying is strictly prohibited. Rather, the intimate format of the conference, and familial participation throughout, is designed to encourage authentic conversation and relationship building.

The conference is modeled after the Independent Voter Project’s successful Business and Leadership Conference held for the last 18 years. Throughout those years, the most productive and impactful issue-tables are those that throw away the powerpoint presentations, in favor of conversation you would have at your dinner table.

The conference is an opportunity for those in industry and government to identify win-win-win opportunities; those that are good for electeds, business, and everyday people on both sides of the border.

EVENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

Contact the Events team at: [email protected]

Kaia Los Huertos Malham, Event Manager
Chad Peace, Event Director

Cross-Border Conference