Today’s Latino Excellence honoree, Kathia Bustillos, embodies resilience, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to community service. Her remarkable journey has broken barriers and set new standards in the media and business industries, making her an inspiration for aspiring professionals worldwide.
An Exceptional Academic and Professional Foundation
Born in Mexico City, Kathia Bustillos pursued an international education that equipped her with a global perspective and strategic expertise. She studied in the United States and Switzerland before earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a double major in Finance and Marketing from the prestigious Universidad Iberoamericana in 1981. Recognizing the importance of continuous learning, she furthered her education with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, specializing in Strategic Management, from the United States International University in 1987.
Breaking Barriers in Media Leadership
Kathia’s career in media is a testament to her determination and visionary leadership. In a traditionally male-dominated industry, she made history by becoming the first woman to head a regional Televisa station. Her journey began in 1982 as an Information Assistant to the Vice President of Expansion at Grupo Televisa in Mexico City. She quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Information Manager at DIGISAT, a Televisa subsidiary, before stepping into her groundbreaking leadership roles.
For 23 years, she served as Sales Director of Televisa Tijuana and Ensenada, where she spearheaded initiatives in health, culture, and sports, positively impacting local communities. From 2012 to 2016, she held the role of CEO at Televisa Tijuana (Channel 12) and Televisa Ensenada (Channel 23). Her exceptional results led to an unprecedented achievement in 2014 when she became the first director in Televisa’s history to oversee three regional stations—Televisa Tijuana, Ensenada, and Mexicali. This included the management of multiple national repeaters, further solidifying her status as a media powerhouse.
Expanding Horizons and Serving the Community
After 32 years of dedicated service at Televisa, Kathia transitioned into new ventures, leveraging her expertise to support meaningful projects. Her commitment to philanthropy has been a constant throughout her career. For three decades, she has volunteered at the Hospital Infantil de las Californias, eventually serving as its CEO from 2019 to 2021.
Her passion for public service led her to run for the municipal presidency of Tijuana in the 2021 elections as a citizen candidate for the Baja California PBC party. Undeterred by challenges, she continued her impactful work in media as General Director of ZONA MX from 2022 to 2023, where she implemented cutting-edge technology and digital strategies to enhance journalistic content.
A Binational Leader in Public Relations
Kathia’s leadership extends beyond media and philanthropy. As the CEO of Nuffer, Smith, and Tucker PR in Tijuana, she played a crucial role in strengthening binational ties between Mexico and the United States. Her international experience and strategic acumen made her a key figure in fostering cross-border collaboration.
Currently, she leads her own firm, Kathia Bustillos PR, a public relations and corporate strategy agency that serves an impressive roster of clients, including Club de Beisbol Toros de Tijuana, AudiCo, Asombro Marketing, CODET Vision Institute, SENTRE, Calimax/Aprecio, Farmacias Roma, Grupo Aries, Fideicomiso Tijuana, Tecnovision Digital, and Cinemex, among others.
A Legacy of Service and Leadership
Kathia Bustillos has consistently demonstrated her dedication to community development through her involvement in numerous organizations. Her leadership roles include:
- Board Chair & Interim Executive Director – Foundation for the Children of the Californias (Current).
- Board Chair – Fundación para los Niños de las Californias (2015-2018).
- Secretary of the Executive Board of Directors (2022-2023) – Foundation for the Children of the Californias.
- Public Relations Board Member – Asociación Nacional de la Publicidad A.C. Sección Noroeste (2018-2019).
- Board Member – Club de Niños y Niñas Tijuana, Pasitos Centro Psicopedagógico, and Red Cross Tijuana.
- Founding Member – Perros Urbanos, “Un Ladrido de Ayuda”.
An Unstoppable Force of Change
Kathia Bustillos Iturralde’s career is a shining example of excellence, innovation, and service. Her ability to navigate multiple industries, break gender barriers, and uplift her community showcases her as a true leader. Whether in media, business, or philanthropy, she continues to inspire generations to dream bigger and achieve more.
Her legacy is one of resilience, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. As today’s Latino Excellence honoree, Kathia Bustillos stands as a role model for all who aspire to create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
