Adelante · Hispanic Heritage Month 2026
Paola Illescas
Legal and Compliance Head, Mondelēz International
Legal chapter
Paola Illescas leads Legal and Compliance for Mondelēz International in Mexico, building the team the business needs to reach its 2030 goals. Her argument is that the work of leading starts with the work of growing yourself.
01What you're building
What are you building right now, and what does it make possible that wasn't possible before?
The Legal & Compliance team with the talent that Mondelēz Mexico needs to achieve (and exceed) its 2030 goals.
02What it took
What did it take to get here that people don't see?
Personal growth and continuous self development.
The more you understand yourself and continue to grow, the stronger and more authentic you become as a leader.
03Who carried you
Who carried you, and what did they teach you that you still use every week?
My parents taught me the value of hard work, being self-sufficient, and always doing the right thing.
04For the leader coming up
What is the one thing you'd tell the leader coming up behind you?
My advice to the next leader coming after me would be to invest in their personal and emotional development. The more you understand yourself and continue to grow, the stronger and more authentic you become as a leader.
05Adelante
Adelante means forward. Where are you taking your function, your company, or your industry next?
I’m taking it to become the B.O.A.T. (Best Of All Time) Legal & Compliance team for Mondelēz Mexico. ¡Adelante!
The recognition · Legal
Paola Illescas leads legal and compliance for Mondelez International, one of the world's largest snacking companies, guiding the work behind brands found on shelves around the globe. She is recognized in the Legal chapter.
Meet all the Adelante leadersThe Floor
Every leader recognized in Adelante answers a short set of questions in their own words, and the answers they approve go into the 2027 book.
