Mercedes Morales: Redefining Legal Leadership in Latin America's Dynamic Tech Landscape

In an era where technological evolution outpaces the legislations that govern it, leaders in law are compelled not only to interpret change but to drive it too. Traversing this dynamic evolution in Latin America's digital infrastructure sector is Mercedes Morales, General Counsel at KIO.

Mercedes's path from a small, traditional northern Mexican city to directing legal strategy at a regional tech leader is one of quiet ambition and calculated development. She grew up in a structured environment, but nurtured an inquisitive spirit that desired to do her own thing early on. At age 18, she left home and in doing so, broke away from Mexican convention and found the autonomy that would characterize her professional life.

Initially hesitant to study law, Mercedes discovered her vocation in its logic and capacity to deliver tangible impact in the real world. Over the following two decades, she sharpened her skills by working at law firms, media, telecom, and presently, tech, creating a strong foundation in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, M&A and legal innovation.

In her current role at KIO, she heads law, compliance and governance for Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. Finding a balance between fast-paced tech advancements and slow-moving legal frameworks, she is focused on creating solutions to new challenges like AI, cybersecurity and crossborder regulation, while building team culture based on trust and empathy.

A rare female figure in Mexico's corporate legal landscape, Mercedes believes that success comes from leading with head and heart. Her job is not merely about protecting operations, but helping business flourish through legal insight. In an exclusive interview with Global Woman Leader, Mercedes tells us how she is transforming the legal landscape, one rule, one team and one moral decision at a time.

Briefly describe the formative experiences and key influences that shaped your life path.

I grew up in a small northern city in a traditional family that prized discipline, ethics, and education, which are values instilled by my grandfather, an army officer. Questioning the status quo wasn’t encouraged, yet I eagerly joined every activity available i.e., dancing, singing, even drumming, and found purpose in helping others.

Surrounded by strong, resilient women, I also saw many held back solely because of their gender. That disparity sparked a lasting curiosity in me. At 18, I left home for university, unusual at that time in my hometown, where most students live with their parents. Living independently exposed me to a tight knit circle of women who remain close friends and professional allies. That experience revealed my capacity for self management, organization, and the ambition to excel in corporate law. It ultimately shaped my path and clarified the future I want to build.

What inspired you to pursue law? How has your professional journey unfolded within the Mexican legal landscape?

I chose law because it aligned with my personality. I’m structured, analytical, and communicative. During my first semester, I struggled, especially with a course, Introduction to Law. I started doubting my choice. In the second semester, everything started to make sense. That’s when I realized law wasn’t just a good fit, it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

I’ve now been practicing law for over 25 years, building a career across diverse industries. I started at a law firm, then moved into corporate roles in media, telecom, and eventually technology. For most of my professional life, I’ve worked with technology from various angles and it has largely defined my legal career.

I’ve had the opportunity to work on complex transactions and witness how legislation has evolved or even been built from the ground up, over the past 25 years. Mexican law has changed significantly in that time. I’ve also had the privilege to learn from remarkable leaders who shaped how I approach legal strategy, decision-making, and people management. Beyond the technical aspects of law, what I enjoy most is building collaborative, high-performance teams. I enjoy working with people, that’s where the real impact lies. Creating an environment where lawyers can grow, contribute, and succeed together is one of the most important parts of my work today.

What key areas of expertise have you developed over the course of your legal career?

Working in technology, one learns to be resilient and adapt to evolving laws. I’ve built strong experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, complex contract negotiations, M&A, carve-outs, and especially corporate law. While litigation hasn’t been my primary focus, I’ve also dealt with corporate-related litigation. I’ve had the opportunity to advise on high-impact transactions such as joint ventures, carve-outs, and matters related to digital infrastructure, which can be challenging, as lawyers don’t always have a deep understanding of technology. In recent years, I’ve focused on areas that are transforming the legal function itself, such as cybersecurity, AI, and legal innovation.

Tell us about KIO and your key responsibilities as its General Counsel.

KIO is a leading digital infrastructure company not just in Mexico, but across Latin America, with a strong presence in data centers, cloud, cybersecurity, digital experience, and managed services. We support mission-critical operations for both private and public sector clients.

As General Counsel, I lead the legal, compliance, and corporate governance functions across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Colombia. My responsibilities include advising the board and executive team, managing legal risk, supporting strategic transactions, and ensuring that operations remain aligned with the legal and regulatory framework. Within the legal team, I also focus on fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. It's essential that we are not just reactive but proactive partners to the business. In-house legal professionals must understand the business deeply in order to provide relevant and effective legal guidance.

What challenges do you encounter in your role at KIO? How do you effectively navigate them?

One of the most challenging aspects of my role is balancing the speed of innovation with the discipline and safeguards required by legal and regulatory frameworks. At a company like KIO, where technology evolves rapidly, the law often lags behind. We frequently need to address or bridge those gaps, which puts pressure on us to anticipate risks and adapt quickly. Another key challenge is managing legal complexity across multiple jurisdictions, each with its own regulations and cultural dynamics. To navigate these, I rely on close collaboration with cross-functional teams, clear communication with leadership, and a legal team that understands the business as well as the law. Staying pragmatic is also essential. Not every legal issue requires a theoretical solution, many demand timely, strategic responses. That’s why understanding the business deeply and being actively involved in its daily operations is critical.

We must speak up and take space in the tech industry, and I encourage women to get involved in engineering and legal tech, even if those fields don’t yet fully welcome them

What key career milestones have defined success for you? What has your ‘success mantra’ been?

Looking back, I’m proud of several key milestones. Key among them are leading complex corporate restructurings across cross-border transactions and helping shape decisions at the executive level. But what I value most is building legal teams grounded in trust, empathy and a shared sense of purpose. Women leaders’ representation in heading legal departments in Mexico continues to be low. This reality has shaped how I live, mentor, and represent the legal function at every meeting and decision-making table. For me, success isn’t just about the outcome, it’s about how you get there and whether you can stand by your decisions with professionalism and inner balance.

Leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to take care of yourself and your team before you begin the race.

How is Mexico’s legal advisory landscape evolving? Which trends will shape its future?

Mexico, like many countries, is undergoing a profound digital transformation. Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a central force, especially in our field. As legal professionals, we must stay up to date, not only with new legislation but also with the technologies reshaping legal services.

It's essential to approach AI responsibly and ethically, without replacing human judgment or decision-making. As in-house lawyers, we need to understand both the context and legal implications of these emerging technologies.

Education

• Law degree from a Mexican university

• A Master’s Degree from Spain

Business Role Model

• Every woman who works hard in a male-dominated world inspires me

Mercedes Morales, General Counsel, KIO

Mercedes Morales is currently the General Counsel at KIO, with over two decades of experience in corporate law, company administration, compliance and contractual matters. She works with a focus on information technology, having skills in Business Administration and management, Contract negotiation and much more.