Team
Mercedes Aramendía
Executive Director
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.
Christopher Casarrubias
Secretary
With over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of technology and public policy, Christopher has advised governments, trade associations, intergovernmental organizations, and the technology industry on policy development to support the adoption of digital technologies and new connectivity services.
Christopher began his career in the Mexican federal government, serving as an advisor to the Minister of Communications and the President of the Competition Commission. He later worked at a London-based consultancy, where he led the firm's services in the Global South.
He then moved to OneWeb, a British technology company, as Head of Regulatory and Government Affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean. Two years later, he was recruited by AALTO, Airbus’s connectivity subsidiary, as Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs.
Currently, he is a founding partner at Purpose Partners, a regulatory advisory firm. He is also a regular commentator in international media on topics such as connectivity, digital transformation, and the impact of emerging technologies in developing markets.