Mayra Hernández González has the talent of combining tradition and innovation in her endeavors.

Born into generations of self-made entrepreneurs, she seeks to honor her family values of compassion, generosity, and gratitude, while breaking barriers in the fields of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Her professional journey, especially at Banorte Bank and Instituto Xilonen, is a testimony of that mission.

Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Mayra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Universidad Euromerican and a Certificate in Administrative Science from Harvard University. She has also studied at the One Spirit Learning Alliance in New York City and serves as a board member of several organizations – including Synergos.

In our interview, we delved deep into Instituto Xilonen, a venture that defies traditional boundaries. Founded by Mayra, it combines the ancient wisdom of crystal healing with modern philanthropic practices to advance peace, harmony, and conscious living.

Her vision of philanthropy emphasizes the vital role of inner work and the intentional use of energy: “it’s not just about giving; it’s about how we give.” She sees crystals as tangible tools for focusing and amplifying energy towards meaningful social change. Practices such as meditation and mindfulness serve as integral components of Instituto Xilonen’s approach, laying the foundation for the idea of conscious living.

Prior to founding Xilonen, Mayra served for almost a decade as head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Banorte. Under her leadership, Banorte became Mexico’s first bank to join the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Further, Mayra was instrumental to the creation of Mujer Banorte, which opened financial services and new opportunities for Mexican women.

In our exploration of Mayra’s journey, it becomes evident that she not only embraces innovation but does so with a profound reverence for the enduring family principles that have shaped her character, as well as the ancestral knowledge involved in crystal therapy. Continue reading to learn more about her career, her inspirations, and what it means for her to be a part of Synergos.

Q&A WITH MAYRA HERNÁNDEZ GONZÁLEZ

We are curious to know more about how Instituto Xilonen came to be. Could you tell us the beginning of this story and your motivation to create it?

To tell the story of Instituto Xilonen, I need to go way back. It all began with the values passed down through generations of entrepreneurs in my family. This legacy inspired me to explore the potential of combining ancient wisdom with modern practices for social change. The spark that ignited our mission was the creation of Instituto Xilonen, where we aim to accelerate conscious living.

Growing up, I’ve always felt connected to the spiritual world – not only through prayer, but especially through nature, colors, music. Crystals, with their inherent beauty and power, can also provide this connection. For me, they are tools that harness energy and stimulate our consciousness.

Xilonen is the Aztec goddess of nourishment. Nourishing consciousness is very much needed on the planet, and I believe crystals can help with that. Once we become conscious, we get a deeper connection with who we are and take better care of ourselves and people around us.

Can you tell us about the role your family and upbringing played in shaping your beliefs and your vision of philanthropy? Has that changed over time?

My family, including my beloved grandfather, Roberto González Barrera, has been instrumental in shaping my beliefs and philanthropic vision. Our family's values have always revolved around compassion and a deep connection to our Mexican heritage. I was raised as a catholic, which contributed to develop a sense of helping others and being grateful.

My grandfather had humble beginnings as a shoeshine boy. His success in becoming the chairman of Gruma and Banorte, the largest producer of tortillas and corn flour in the world and the largest majority Mexican-owned commercial bank in Mexico, was a testament to his relentless work ethic and dedication.

However, what truly set him apart was his unwavering commitment to giving back. He believed that his success was a gift from God and corn, and he embraced the responsibility of sharing his good fortune with others. This spirit of philanthropy and community service became a core part of our family's identity.

My family's support and the lessons I learned from my grandfather continue to guide my philanthropic journey with Instituto Xilonen. They inspire me to make a positive impact on society and carry forward the legacy of compassion, generosity, and conscious living that has been passed down through generations.

Your journey has been deeply rooted in philanthropy, sustainability, and conscious living. Could you share how your experiences in these areas have influenced your unique approach to social change through Instituto Xilonen?

You see, in philanthropy, we often focus on tangible aspects like financial contributions, partnerships, and strategies. However, my experiences have highlighted the pivotal role that inner work, our intentions, and our consciousness play in driving meaningful social change.

Just as we meticulously plan and allocate resources in our philanthropic endeavors, we can also manage our personal energy resources – physical, emotional, and spiritual – to achieve greater impact.

My journey has taught me that the conscious use of our energy, aligned with our intentions, is a potent force for social change. It's not just about giving; it's about how we give. Crystals provide us with a tangible means to focus and amplify our energy towards positive transformation.

As philanthropists, we continually seek ways to have a greater impact, and I firmly believe that our energy, when harnessed and directed consciously, can be a game-changer. With Instituto Xilonen, I've been pleasantly surprised by the openness and receptivity of individuals and organizations to embrace the energy of crystals as a tool for impact.

Are there other inner work or reflective practices you take and promote that complement your efforts with crystals?

Yes, for sure. Practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and self-inquiry are integral to our approach. They help individuals connect with their inner selves, develop compassion, and align their intentions with their actions. These practices serve as a foundation for conscious living.

Where are Instituto Xilonen’s crystals sourced, and how does this process align with your concerns about conscious living and causing a positive impact on society?

This is a good question, because initially there was a challenge with that. When I first started working with crystals, even though I was already in the field of sustainability, I wasn’t too aware of the concerns involved in this process. I’ve learned a lot since then.

Our crystals are sourced responsibly and ethically, through partnerships with a select group of family-owned crystal suppliers worldwide. These suppliers have built a reputation based on their integrity, maintaining close relationships with crystal miners to ensure safety measures and protections are strictly followed. Every miner is ensured a fair wage, and mining sites are restored to minimize environmental impact.

Our aim is to strike a balance between aesthetic appeal, efficiency, and sustainability. In our packaging and daily operations, we prioritize the use of recycled and natural materials. We emphasize a paperless, digital office environment and make concerted efforts to support small organizations.

Also, we received support from NESsT, an organization that advances social entrepreneurs worldwide – especially women artisans. They came up with a free trade system for the artisans they support, and they offered it to Instituto Xilonen so we could apply these learnings for our crystal vendors.

What are your dreams or plans for Instituto Xilonen’s future?

Our dream for Instituto Xilonen is to make inner work and wellness an integral part of everyone's life. We envision a world where the intentional use of energy becomes a global practice, fostering well-being and positive transformation on a grand scale.

We are actively exploring tools and strategies to amplify our mission and bring this vision to fruition on a global level.

Besides Instituto Xilonen, you led the corporate social responsibility practice at Banorte, and launched effort around women and sustainability. Can you tell us why these were important? What is your proudest moment from this part of your career?

Leading the corporate social responsibility practice at Banorte was a significant chapter in my career, and launching initiatives focused on women and sustainability was essential because it addressed critical societal issues I deeply identify with.

My proudest moment from this period was the creation of Mujer Banorte, which opened financial services and opportunities for 340,000 Mexican women, empowering them to take control of their financial futures.

In your opinion, are there distinctive aspects of philanthropy in Mexico (or Latin American more generally) in comparison to other places?

I believe that yes, there are. The sense of community and collective responsibility is deeply ingrained in Mexican and Latin American culture. Philanthropy often extends beyond financial contributions to encompass a strong sense of solidarity and support for those in need.

Additionally, there is a growing awareness of the interconnectedness between environmental sustainability and social well-being, making conscious philanthropy and sustainability practices increasingly prominent in the region. These unique cultural elements shape the philanthropic landscape in Mexico and Latin America.

What does it mean for you to be part of Synergos’ Global Philanthropists Circle?

That is a great question. When I first attended a GPC members’ gathering, I felt that there was a spiritual component that was unspoken, but you could feel it.

Synergos has the ability of building a safe space for open dialogue, where egos are left at the door. After ten years of being part of the GPC, I see how other organizations are now starting to use a similar approach.

Another aspect is that Synergos, being a global organization, allows me to learn from other cultures and programs in different countries. I see opportunities to apply these learnings in my own philanthropic efforts. The networking opportunities and the sense of community among the members are inestimable.

I have been living in New York City for many years, and most of my community here is from people I’ve met through Synergos, because we have shared values and interests.

Rapid Fire Questions with Mayra

Share a mantra that inspires you.

“Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.” Khalil Gibran.

What valuable lesson did you learn the hard way?

To not underestimate the value of sleep and rest, as well as acknowledging my own feelings to myself or others. I experienced a serious burnout in my early thirties.

What gives you hope for the future?

The younger generations that are more conscious in the way they live and express themselves. The recognition of inner work as a key practice for leadership development in any field.

Do you have any regrets that stand out in your journey?

For me, regrets are lessons that I wished I had learned earlier… And my biggest one is about being fully present. I wish I had learned that earlier in my life because, as a dear friend of mine says, “your presence is the greatest gift you can give to someone – and yourself.”

What never ceases to surprise you?

The power of love in random acts of kindness, generosity and solidarity, especially among the people in Mexico.

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To learn more about Mayra’s work, go to institutoxilonen.com/.