Laura
Mateo Cuadrado
Board Member · International Business Advisor
Executive · Guest Lecturer
CEO-profile executive and board member with 16+ years leading full P&L responsibility, international expansion and business transformation for Spanish and European companies entering the U.S. market. Based in Miami, currently Chief of Staff & Marketing at Manzanos Enterprises, leading strategic projects across Spain and the United States, and board member at several companies and institutions in Spain and the United States.
Get in touch →
Executive Leadership
Growth Led
Scaled
Market Presence
Led from Miami
A career built between Europe and the United States
I am Chief of Staff & Marketing at Manzanos Enterprises — a family-owned group active across real estate, wine & hospitality, mobility and industrial operations in Spain and the United States — where I lead strategic projects and contribute to its international growth, M&A activity, brand portfolio, real estate development and the integration of AI into business operations and decision-making.
In parallel, I serve on boards of directors and institutional bodies in Spain and the United States, and I collaborate with business schools and executive programs as a guest lecturer and speaker on international business, growth, family business and market expansion between Europe and the United States.
Over the past 16+ years I have had the opportunity to take part in the transformation of this Spanish family enterprise into a diversified international group — contributing to 2,000% revenue growth, helping expand the team from 11 to 180 people, and establishing commercial presence in more than 70 countries. My experience sits at the intersection of strategy, international expansion and transformation, with particular focus on the Spain–US corridor, brand strategy and premium positioning in regulated industries, M&A and operational integration, real estate development and investment, governance, and AI applied to business and education.
I have a particular focus on sustainability and ESG, having led the sustainability transformation of Bodegas Manzanos and positioned it as the first winery in Spain to implement IFS ESG certification, alongside Wineries for Climate Protection, SMETA, BRC and IFS. I approach sustainability both as an operational discipline — quality, environmental and ethical standards — and as a strategic driver of long-term value, where brand and reputation are the tools that keep a company relevant across generations.
A formative chapter in this journey was the COVID-19 crisis. When restaurants closed worldwide, the winery's core hospitality channel collapsed overnight in every international market. Those months forced a profound reinvention of the business model: I moved to Florida and helped launch Manzanos Wines USA as the group's own importer and distributor — turning an existential crisis into the foundation of what is today our U.S. platform. That experience shaped much of how I now think about resilience, M&A, and the discipline of leading across geographies.
I am a member of YPO, and I was recognised among Spain's Top 100 Women Leaders in 2025 (Top 10 CEOs, Senior Executives & Board Members) and 2026 (Top 10 International). In October 2025 I received the Key to the City of Miami, awarded by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, in recognition of my contribution to the Miami community and to strengthening business ties between Spain and Miami-Dade County. I am currently completing the IC-A Certificate in Corporate Governance at the Instituto de Consejeros-Administradores.
Board experience across companies and institutions
I participate in governance bodies in Spain and the United States, in both family-owned operating groups and binational institutional organisations.
Current board positions
Spain–US Chamber of Commerce
Serving on the Board of Directors and contributing to the strategic direction of the Chamber's mission to strengthen business and investment ties between Spain and the United States. Advising on trade policy, market entry strategy and cross-border investment. Speaking on international expansion, the Spain–US business corridor and market access for European companies entering the Americas. Faculty speaker in the USA Market Specialist Certification program.
Agua Peñaclara (Mineraqua S.A.)
Serving on the Board of Directors of Mineraqua S.A. (Agua Peñaclara), providing strategic guidance on business growth, market expansion and brand positioning in the FMCG sector. Contributing to corporate governance, financial oversight and long-term strategic planning, as well as supporting M&A evaluation, sustainability initiatives and regulatory compliance.
Manzanos Enterprises
Member of the leadership team of a family enterprise, active across real estate, wine & hospitality, mobility and industrial operations in Spain and the United States. Focus on long-term value creation, succession planning and governance best practices.
Bodegas Manzanos
Led the international commercial strategy for one of Spain's largest family-owned wine groups, establishing market presence across 70+ countries. Directed acquisitions across 10 wineries and new verticals, scaled the organisation from 11 to 180 employees, and led digital transformation and AI-powered marketing initiatives.
Sustainability leadership: led the sustainability transformation of the company, positioning Bodegas Manzanos as the first winery in Spain to implement IFS ESG certification, alongside Wineries for Climate Protection, SMETA, BRC and IFS.
Corporate governance training
IC-A Certificate in Corporate Governance, Instituto de Consejeros-Administradores (March–July 2026 · in progress) · Executive MBA, ICADE Business School (Universidad Pontificia Comillas) · Active member of EJE&CON (Spanish Association of Women Executives and Board Members) since 2024.
Governance focus areas
Nine areas where I can contribute on boards and advisory roles, based on 16+ years of hands-on executive experience across multiple sectors and geographies.
Sustainability & ESG Leadership
Led the sustainability transformation of Bodegas Manzanos, positioning it as the first winery in Spain to implement IFS ESG certification, alongside Wineries for Climate Protection (WCP), SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit), BRC (British Retail Consortium) and IFS (International Featured Standards). Also led the sustainability strategy of the Gran Reserva Music Festival (Manzanos Music), which earned the Kiss the Planet sustainability seal for an international music festival — extending the discipline from a production context into a live-event, mass-audience environment.
I approach sustainability from two complementary angles: operational sustainability — quality, environmental, ethical and social standards applied across the value chain — and strategic sustainability — building the long-term value of a company through brand and reputation, my core expertise as a CMO. Both dimensions are essential for companies that want to remain relevant across generations.
International Expansion & Spain–US Corridor
Real transatlantic market entry and consolidation experience: legal and fiscal structure, distribution networks, commercial architecture and cross-cultural team leadership. First-hand experience leading U.S. market entry from Miami.
M&A & Post-Merger Integration — cross-sector track record
16+ years of hands-on M&A experience on both buy and sell sides, across wine, hospitality, automotive, FMCG and real estate. Each operation included team integration, operational harmonisation, cultural alignment and, in several cases, the integration of founding families into new corporate structures.
Selected acquisitions:
- — Mineraqua S.A. — bottled water company with 2 natural springs and 3 brands including a premium range, with full team integration · 2013
- — Centro Porsche Pamplona, with full team integration · 2015
- — Grupo Luis Gurpegui Muga — 5 wineries including Berceo, with integration of founding family and teams · 2016
- — Centro Porsche Vitoria, with full team integration · 2018
- — Bodegas Manzanos Campanas, with full team integration · 2018
- — Siglo brand (Rioja), acquired from Pernod Ricard · 2018
- — Centro Porsche Bilbao, with full team integration · 2019
- — JMC Electricidad — industrial electricity supplier, vertical integration strategy, with full team integration · 2020
Selected exits / divestments:
- — Grupo Voché — hospitality group, founded in 2011 and sold in 2019
- — Porsche dealership group — sale of the three dealerships as a single strategic exit (2021)
- — Bodegas Manzanos wine group — exit in 2025 after 13+ years leading its international transformation
- — Gran Reserva Music Festival (Manzanos Music) — exit in 2025 after launching the festival and certifying it with the Kiss the Planet sustainability seal
Family Business Governance
Member of the leadership team of a family enterprise. Professionalisation, protocols, succession planning, integration of external talent and long-term value creation across generations.
AI Applied to Business & Governance
Integrating AI into business strategy, marketing, customer intelligence and operational efficiency. Certified through AI Clinics (Miami Dade College), Google, OpenAI and Anthropic courses. Practical view on AI governance for boards.
Crisis Management & Business Resilience
Helped lead the response to the COVID-19 pandemic at Bodegas Manzanos, when the group's core hospitality channel collapsed worldwide as restaurants closed for months across every international market. The response involved a profound reinvention of the commercial model — relocating operations to Florida and launching Manzanos Wines USA as the group's own importer and distributor in the U.S. market. A strategic pivot that turned an existential crisis into the foundation of the group's current U.S. platform.
Long-Term Value Creation & Strategic Planning
Focused on building organisations that create lasting value across generations, industries and geographies. Strategic planning, multi-horizon decision-making, and the discipline of balancing short-term performance with structural resilience. Applied across family business, real estate investment, international expansion and multi-sector diversification contexts.
Regulated Industries Expertise
16+ years operating across regulated industries where compliance, reputation and trust are core to business value: wine and spirits (appellation rules, import/export, alcohol regulation across 70+ jurisdictions), premium automotive (Porsche Iberia network), FMCG water (food safety, labelling), real estate development and health-related business during the COVID-19 pandemic — navigating one of the most heavily regulated sectors under crisis conditions. Experience with complex regulatory environments and quality standards across multiple countries.
Talent, Culture & Organisational Transformation
Experience scaling organisations through growth and transformation: from 11 to 180 employees at Bodegas Manzanos (with the recruitment, training and HR systems that supported that scale), cultural and organisational transformation across 100+ employees at the Porsche dealership group, and the integration of founding families and teams into new corporate structures following acquisitions.
Sectors of expertise
Eight sectors where I have operated at executive and board level over the past 16+ years, across Spain and the United States — from regulated industries to entertainment and real estate.
Wine & Spirits
Bodegas Manzanos, Bodegas Manzanos Campanas, Siglo brand, Grupo Luis Gurpegui Muga (Muga & Berceo), Manzanos Wines USA. International distribution across 70+ countries.
Luxury Automotive
Centro Porsche Pamplona, Vitoria and Bilbao — Porsche Iberia network. Multi-site P&L, premium customer experience, post-acquisition integration, successful exit.
Premium Hospitality
Grupo Voché (founded 2011, exit 2019) — restaurants, wine bars and events in Spain's premium hospitality sector.
FMCG / Bottled Water
Mineraqua S.A. / Agua Peñaclara — bottled water company with two natural springs and three brands including a premium range. Board member since 2014, contributing to growth strategy and premium brand positioning.
Real Estate Development
Real estate development in Spain and real estate investment in the United States. Institutional sales, residential development, rental property management and asset optimisation. Investment strategy across both markets.
Entertainment & Live Events
Manzanos Music co-founder: Gran Reserva Festival (35,000 attendees) and Gran Reserva Emprendedores business conference. Kiss the Planet sustainability certification. Exit 2025.
Health & Beauty Distribution
Distribution and commercialisation of health and beauty products, navigating one of the most heavily regulated consumer sectors. Experience gained during the COVID-19 pandemic pivot into health-related business.
Marine / Mobility
Dboats — production, sale and charter of boats in Spain and the United States. Mobility and marine leisure segment within the group's diversification strategy.
Availability
My board and advisory experience spans international expansion (Spain–US corridor), sustainability and ESG, M&A, business governance, crisis management, premium brand positioning and AI applied to business. I also collaborate with business schools and executive education programmes as a guest lecturer.
If you are looking for a board member, strategic advisor or guest lecturer with hands-on international experience across the Spain–US corridor, I would welcome a conversation.
Professional experience across industries and geographies
Executive, board and advisory roles across wine, automotive, hospitality, real estate, entertainment and FMCG — between Spain and the United States.
Manzanos Enterprises
Leading the strategic transformation and international expansion of a family enterprise active across real estate, wine & hospitality, mobility and industrial operations. Over this period, the group has grown from a regional Spanish business to a diversified international group with presence in 70+ countries and 2,000% revenue growth — scaling every company created and acquired, and building a substantial multi-sector business portfolio.
Responsibilities span international M&A, U.S. market entry, brand portfolio strategy, real estate development and the integration of AI into business operations and decision-making.
When the pandemic collapsed the winery's core hospitality channel worldwide, I helped lead the crisis response — relocating to Florida, launching Manzanos Wines USA as the group's own importer and distributor, and pivoting into the health sector, leveraging our distribution and sales expertise to enter a booming, highly regulated industry. What began as an emergency pivot became the foundation of the group's current U.S. platform.
International Business & Strategy Advisor
Advising European companies, entrepreneurs and business owners on strategic expansion into the United States — from initial market assessment to business development, go-to-market execution and ongoing growth advisory. Based in Miami since 2020, with regular presence in the U.S. market since 2012 and direct operational experience across 8 sectors.
Working with founders, boards and ownership groups on understanding how their product or service fits the U.S. market, identifying the right distribution channels, structuring teams, and connecting them with trusted professionals in Miami — accountants, lawyers, financial advisors, recruiters and service providers. On-site accompaniment when the client's team arrives.
Engagement formats include strategy sessions, market readiness diagnostics, full market entry programs and ongoing advisory retainers. Learn more about advisory services.
Bodegas Manzanos
Led the international commercial strategy of one of Spain's largest family-owned wine groups, establishing market presence across 70+ countries including the US, UK, Europe, EMEA, Asia-Pacific, Central America and LATAM. Built and managed international distribution networks, recruited and managed all office staff, created departments from the ground up, developed all brands, branding, websites, events and packaging across the full product portfolio. Analysed competitor acquisition opportunities and led the integration of acquired teams across 10 wineries and new verticals.
Led the sustainability transformation of the company, positioning Bodegas Manzanos as the first winery in Spain to implement IFS ESG certification, alongside Wineries for Climate Protection, SMETA, BRC and IFS. Exit in 2025.
Centro Porsche Pamplona
Hanstein SA
Full operational and commercial management of three Porsche dealerships in Northern Spain (Pamplona, Bilbao and Vitoria) within the Porsche Iberia network. Responsible for end-to-end P&L, sales growth, after-sales service across 4 workshops, regional marketing plans and brand activations for each territory — all in compliance with Porsche's demanding quality and luxury standards. Doubled revenue and profitability within three years, led post-acquisition integration, organisational design and cultural transformation across 100+ employees, and prepared the group for a successful exit.
Manzanos Music
Co-founded a dual-format entertainment and high-level business platform combining a 3-day international music festival with a premium entrepreneurship conference. The Gran Reserva Festival reached 35,000 attendees with a top-tier international artist lineup, managing complex large-scale event operations, artist and manager negotiations, premium audience experience, sponsorship activation and end-to-end P&L. Gran Reserva Emprendedores hosted 1,500+ participants over three days alongside Spain's leading CEOs, investors and entrepreneurs — a high-level networking and knowledge-sharing platform. Earned the Kiss the Planet sustainability seal. Exit in 2025.
Grupo Voché
Built and exited a premium hospitality group in Spain's competitive hospitality and retail sector.
Full responsibility for brand creation, concept development, retail experience design, marketing strategy, customer experience and commercial operations. Managed high-turnover hospitality teams, developing recruitment systems, training programmes and retention strategies for a sector where people management is the biggest operational challenge. Designed the employer branding strategy, positioning the group as both a consumer reference and an employer of choice.
Successful exit in 2019 — the business was sold as a going concern after 8 years of operation.
Guest lecturer, keynote speaker and executive educator
I collaborate with business schools, universities and executive education programmes as a guest lecturer, keynote speaker and executive educator. My sessions combine real executive experience with actionable frameworks — covering international business strategy, business development, market entry, brand positioning, personal branding, visual capital, marketing strategy and internationalisation across the Spain–US corridor.
I bring 16+ years of hands-on experience leading international expansion, M&A, brand building and team scaling across 8 sectors — not theory, but real cases from my own executive practice. My goal is to help students, executives and professionals see business from a practical, cross-industry and cross-cultural perspective.
Formats
Guest lectures · Keynote speeches · Masterclasses · Teaching modules · Panels and roundtables.
Topics I teach and speak about
Three areas where my professional experience translates into high-impact academic sessions — structured around real cases, actionable frameworks and a cross-industry, transatlantic perspective:
International Expansion, Market Entry & Business Development
How European companies — particularly Spanish — enter and scale in the U.S. market. Market entry strategy, go-to-market design, cross-cultural team building, distribution architecture and the realities of operating between two business cultures. Frameworks for scaling companies in competitive global markets drawn from wine, premium consumer goods, hospitality, automotive and real estate — P&L management, revenue growth strategies, commercial development, channel design and the discipline of turning strategy into execution across multiple sectors. Based on 16+ years of first-hand experience.
Marketing Strategy, Brand Positioning, Personal Branding & Visual Capital
How to build, position and defend a brand that competes on value — not price. Brand architecture, pricing strategy, go-to-market for regulated and premium industries, digital transformation and the intersection of marketing with business strategy at the executive level. How senior executives and business leaders build a personal brand that opens doors — to boards, speaking invitations, advisory roles and new business. Visual capital, image strategy, executive digital presence, reputation management, executive positioning and the art of becoming a recognised voice in your industry.
M&A, Post-Merger Integration & Corporate Governance
The reality of acquiring, integrating and exiting companies — from a first-person perspective across 8 acquisitions and 4 exits in wine, automotive, hospitality and FMCG. Team integration, culture alignment, governance professionalisation and long-term value creation.
Helping European companies enter the United States
I work with entrepreneurs, business owners and companies from Spain and Europe who are exploring or committed to expanding into the U.S. market. After 6+ years based in Miami and regular presence in the United States since 2012, with direct operational experience across 8 different sectors, I bring a practical, cross-industry perspective that goes beyond theory.
My advisory focuses on business development strategy — helping you understand how your product or service fits the U.S. market, which distribution channels to pursue, what kind of team you need, and connecting you with the right professionals from my network in Miami. When your team arrives, I can accompany them on the ground.
Strategy Session
A focused session to understand your business, assess the opportunity in the U.S. market for your sector, and outline the recommended first steps for your expansion. Includes a follow-up email with action summary and recommended contacts.
Market Entry Diagnostic
An in-depth study of your business, competitive analysis of your sector in the U.S., and a prioritised roadmap for entry. Includes a written US Market Readiness Report covering market dynamics, distribution channels, product adaptation, team profiles needed, professional contacts, estimated timeline and budget.
Market Entry Program
Full business development advisory for the U.S. market: deep study of your business (with detailed data and/or physical visit), product and service adaptation by sector and channel, team structure and hiring recommendations, introductions to accountants, lawyers, financial advisors and key service providers in Miami, plus on-site accompaniment when your team arrives.
Advisory Program
A comprehensive advisory program as an embedded extension of your team. Weekly or bi-weekly sessions, participation in key meetings and negotiations, continuous access for strategic decisions, on-site accompaniment in Miami, and ongoing introductions to the local business community.
Have an invoice or agreed amount to settle?
Pay an invoiceTell us about your project
Complete this form to receive a detailed overview of the advisory services, including scope and investment for each level. Every submission is reviewed personally.
Academic background and professional development
Education
Licenses & Certifications
Languages
Professional communities and institutional roles
I am actively involved in several professional organisations in Spain and the United States, linked to leadership, international business, corporate governance and women in senior management.
YPO – Young Presidents' Organization
September 2025 – Present. Actively engaged with the YPO Miami community and member of the Health & Wellness Forum, supporting initiatives focused on personal growth, family leadership, social impact and meaningful networking among members and spouses. Involved in local and international events that promote learning, connection and global leadership development. Attended the YPO Miami session with Dr. Arthur Brooks (Harvard University).
Spain–US Chamber of Commerce
November 2023 – May 2025 · 1 year 7 months. Led the Sales & Marketing Committee of the Chamber, contributing to Economic Empowerment initiatives within the Spain–US business community.
Spain–US Chamber of Commerce
May 2025 – Present · 1+ year. Member of the HR Committee, contributing to Education initiatives within the Chamber. (In parallel with Board Member role since August 2023 and Faculty/Speaker contribution to the USA Market Specialist Certification programme.)
EJE&CON
Asociación Española de Ejecutiv@s y Consejer@s. March 2024 – Present · 2+ years. Economic Empowerment focus. The reference association in Spain for women executives and board members.
WhE – Women Executives Association
Associate member and part of the Events & Communications Committee. International professional network of women in senior executive and leadership positions, with a focus on economic empowerment.
AMEDNA / Neeze
Certified mentor in the internationalisation programme for Spanish companies, delivered in collaboration with the Servicio de Proyección Internacional del Gobierno de Navarra (Plan Internacional de Navarra). Certified with gender-focused mentoring methodology. Since November 2025.
Instituto de Consejeros–Administradores (IC-A)
Currently completing the IC-A Certificate in Corporate Governance (March 2026 – July 2026), the reference programme on governance standards in Spain. Focus on Board of Directors and Corporate Governance.
Universidad Pontificia Comillas Alumni
Alumni community of Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Featured among Comillas Alumni recognised in the Top 100 Women Leaders of Spain ranking.
Latest recognitions
A brief selection of recognitions received in recent years.
Key to the City of Miami · 2025
Top 100 Women Leaders · XIII Edition · 2026
Top 100 Women Leaders · XII Edition · 2025
Interviews, press coverage and media appearances
A selection of interviews, press features and media appearances in Spanish and international outlets — television, radio, podcasts, newspapers and digital media.
Interviews & media appearances
Press coverage & publications
Get in touch
For board or advisory roles, academic collaborations, speaking invitations, press enquiries or general contact, please feel free to reach out.
Or send a message directly
Please choose the purpose of your contact so I can get back to you with the right attention.