Natalia Montaño, the Colombian businesswoman and founder of Aguamarina Schools, has been featured on the cover of Ejecutiva Magazine, a recognition that underscores the rising influence of a Miami-born educational model now operating in the United States, Mexico, and Colombia. The publication profiles her business leadership and her commitment to transforming education through an academic approach that blends excellence, emotional well-being, critical thinking, and leadership formation.
The cover story arrives shortly after another significant honor: on October 8, Montaño was recognized during the Top Entrepreneurs of USA Awards 2026, a ceremony organized by Negocios Magazine and Ejecutiva Magazine at the EB Hotel Miami. Together, these acknowledgments position Montaño as a prominent figure in the growing conversation about how education can be reimagined for new generations, and they signal that her model—developed from South Florida—is gaining traction across international markets.
At the heart of Aguamarina Schools is the educational philosophy branded “Kind & Cool,” which integrates academic learning with values, creativity, autonomy, and social responsibility. The network currently operates three campuses in Miami—in Brickell, South Miami, and Downtown Miami—alongside a presence in Mexico City and Bogotá. This expansion matters because it demonstrates how a locally incubated educational vision can scale across borders, offering an alternative to traditional schooling models that often prioritize content delivery over emotional and social development.
“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 in the announcement. Her words reflect a broader shift in education toward holistic development, and the magazine cover amplifies that message to a wider audience of business leaders and educators.
The growth of Aguamarina also represents a family legacy. Montaño's husband, architect Roberto Salazar, co-founded 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 distinctive dimension to the project, suggesting that the school's values are embedded in its own governance and culture.
Montaño's story reflects the spirit of Ejecutiva Magazine, which highlights women who transform industries, create opportunities, and generate positive social impact. Her career illustrates how an educational vision can become a business initiative with international reach, driven from South Florida. The magazine's decision to feature her on the cover is not only a recognition of an outstanding businesswoman but also a signal that education is increasingly being viewed as a fertile ground for entrepreneurship and social innovation. Readers can access the full article and interview through Natalia Montaño: the educator redefining teaching in Miami | Ejecutiva Magazine. The announcement was distributed by NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.
