Natalia Montaño, the Colombian businesswoman and founder of Aguamarina Schools, is the cover star of Ejecutiva Magazine, a publication that highlights female leadership and entrepreneurship across the United States and Latin America. The feature, Natalia Montaño: the educator redefining teaching in Miami | Ejecutiva Magazine, comes shortly after she was honored at the Top Entrepreneurs of USA Awards 2026 on October 8, a ceremony organized by Negocios Magazine and Ejecutiva Magazine at the EB Hotel Miami. The recognition underscores a broader shift in the education sector, where private, purpose-driven school networks are scaling rapidly across borders and challenging traditional models.
Under Montaño's leadership, Aguamarina Schools has developed the "Kind & Cool" educational philosophy, which integrates academic learning with values, creativity, autonomy, and social responsibility. The network now operates three campuses in Miami—in Brickell, South Miami, and Downtown Miami—as well as a presence in Mexico City and Bogotá. This international footprint makes Aguamarina a case study in how an educational vision can become a business initiative with cross-border reach, driven from South Florida. For parents and investors, the expansion signals growing demand for alternative education models that prioritize emotional well-being alongside academic excellence.
"At Aguamarina, we believe that children should learn in environments where they feel safe, heard, and capable of leading with purpose. Education is not just content: it is experience, community, and vision," Montaño said. Her approach combines critical thinking and leadership formation, positioning the school as a competitor in the premium education market. The model's emphasis on emotional well-being addresses rising concerns among families about student mental health, a factor increasingly influencing school choice and investment decisions in the education sector.
The growth of Aguamarina is also a family affair. Montaño's husband, architect Roberto Salazar, is co-founder of Aguamarina Elementary, and her daughter, Luisa Salazar, serves as co-founder and director of the school. Luisa is also the founder of Planet Patrol Foundation, an initiative that promotes environmental education and children's leadership through conservation activities and community participation. This family involvement adds a layer of continuity and long-term commitment that can be attractive to stakeholders evaluating the sustainability of the school's expansion.
Montaño's cover feature reflects Ejecutiva Magazine's broader mission to spotlight women who transform industries and generate positive social impact. Her story illustrates how female entrepreneurs are increasingly leading scalable ventures in sectors like education, which has traditionally been slower to adopt innovative business models. For readers and industry observers, the recognition of Montaño and Aguamarina highlights the growing influence of Latina-led businesses in the U.S. and Latin America, and the potential for education ventures to attract both media attention and award recognition. The news was distributed via NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE, signaling the story's relevance to Spanish-language business audiences.
The announcement matters because it showcases a replicable model for international school expansion that balances profitability with a values-driven mission. As demand for holistic education grows, Aguamarina's success could encourage more entrepreneurs to enter the sector, potentially increasing competition and innovation. For parents, the expansion offers more choices; for investors, it signals a viable market; and for the broader economy, it demonstrates how service-sector businesses can scale across borders while maintaining a strong brand identity.
