Mercedes has more than 15 years of experience in telecommunications, having worked in the private and public sectors, academia, and civil society. Among her roles, she served as President of the Communications Services Regulatory Unit (URSEC) from  2020 to 2025, leading key transformations in Uruguay’s telecommunications sector. During her tenure, she implemented number portability, led the 5G spectrum auction, and opened competition for fixed home Internet services.

From July 2021 to January 2025, she was also President of the National Council for Innovation, Science, and Technology (CONICYT). Previously, she held leadership positions in the Chamber of Telecommunications of Uruguay, contributing to various regulatory initiatives and legislative projects. Currently, she is the Academic Director and Professor of the Postgraduate Program in Digital Transformation and Law at the University of Montevideo, actively working at the intersection of law, technology, and innovation.

She holds a Ph.D. in Legal Sciences from the University of Granada, an LL.M. in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship from Cornell University (Cornell Tech), an MBA from EAE Business School, a Master’s in Business Administration, Management, and Organization from Universidad Camilo José Cela, a Law degree and Master’s in Legal Practice from Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, and a Law degree and Master’s in Economic Administrative Law from the University of Montevideo.