The Vice President of Real Estate at Walmart Mexico and Central America is recognized in the series 30 Stories: EXATEC EGADE Through the Years for her leadership in the retail sector, her drive for digital innovation, and her commitment to diversity.
By INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATION | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL
Erika Falfán Mayer (MA’04) is one of the most influential women in Mexican retail. She currently serves as Walmart's Vice President of Real Estate for Mexico and Central America, where she leads the real estate strategy for one of the region’s most important retail companies.
A graduate of the Master in Administration from EGADE Business School and a Bachelor in Financial Administration from Tecnológico de Monterrey, Erika has built a career spanning over 20 years at companies such as Danone, Sam’s Club, Suburbia, and Walmart, where she has held various leadership roles in finance, operations, e-commerce, and real estate.
FROM FINANCE TO DIGITAL RETAIL
Before her current role, Erika was Vice President of Operations Support at Walmart Mexico and Central America and Director of e-commerce for Sam's Club. She also served as Senior Finance Director for Suburbia, overseeing the brand's sale to Liverpool, and Finance Director at Sam’s Club. At Danone, she held multiple positions over 12 years, ultimately becoming Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Bonafont.
Her adaptability, results-driven mindset, and transformational leadership have positioned her as a benchmark in the development of omnichannel experiences. Along with her team at Sam’s Club, she developed Mexico’s first e-commerce mobile app integrating online and offline shopping: “We achieved this development thanks to a wealth of diverse talent—not only in gender, but also in culture,” Erika emphasized.
DIVERSITY WITH TRANSFORMATIVE POWER
Erika has tirelessly advocated for diversity and inclusion in the corporate world. She is a member of Walmart’s Diversity Committee, promoting initiatives such as extending maternity leave. She is part of the Accelerated Pipeline Experience Group (APEX) and the International Women in Leadership group within Walmart.
Her career was recognized with the Mujer Tec Award 2020 in the "Transformative Power" category. She has also been recognized as one of the most successful women in the sector for pioneering the digital transformation of retail.
In an article published in Expansión Mujeres, she wrote: “In my experience, companies with strong values of diversity, equity, and inclusion tend to enjoy better work environments, more engaged employees, and greater benefits ranging from increased innovation and creativity to better-aligned business strategies.”
A EXATEC EGADE WHO LEADS WITH PURPOSE
Erika believes that a strategy based on diversity and inclusion starts by putting people at the center. From her perspective, this translates into authentic, people-centered leadership, committed to talent development and equitable opportunities.
“Diverse teams produce better ideas and better results. Being part of an inclusive company where talent is valued fills employees with pride and inspires them to maximize their potential,” says Erika.
As an EXATEC EGADE, Erika represents a success story that inspires new generations to transform the business world through leadership, innovation, and social commitment.