Read the Conversation
Meeting highlights:
- Vision and Leadership: Holcim Costa Rica is driven by a clear vision focused on innovation, sustainability, and talent development.
- Sustainability and Regenerative Future: The company aims to be a key player in addressing sustainability through a regenerative and competitive growth model.
- Operational Presence in Costa Rica: With over 60 years in the country, the company is a pioneer in residue-energy transformation.
- Culture of Transformation and Learning: A continuous transformation mindset fuels a culture of learning, evolution, and constant pursuit of new opportunities.
- Talent Export: Costa Rica is positioned as a source of high-performing professionals capable of making a regional and global impact.
EF: You have been in your position for a little over a year now. Could you share more about your background and what your mission and priorities are for Holcim in Costa Rica?
NS: Since May 2024, I have served as the Chief Executive Officer of Holcim Costa Rica. To share a bit about myself, I hold a degree in Business Administration from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. I spent 14 years developing my career, mainly at Shell, where I held various roles closely linked to commercial and operational areas, including operations management. Since 2021, I have been with the Holcim Group in Argentina, leading a business unit.
At Holcim, I reaffirmed my commitment to a culture centered on innovation and sustainability. Today, I lead the Costa Rica operation with a clear vision: we want to be part of an industry actively addressing climate change, contributing to a more just, regenerative, and competitive future in this country.
Holcim has had a presence in Costa Rica for over 60 years, operating nationwide. Our operations include a cement plant in Cartago, which produces 100% of the cement we commercialize; two concrete plants in Cartago and Alajuela, where we offer ECOPact, our low-carbon concrete; and two Modular Solutions plants dedicated to both heavy and light prefabricated construction elements. We also operate Geocycle, our co-processing platform that transforms waste into alternative fuel for our operations, while offering sustainable waste management solutions for various industries. In addition, our Disensa retail network includes more than 60 franchised hardware stores across the country. This diversified portfolio positions us as a strategic partner in sustainable construction, providing integrated solutions for both the public and private sectors.
EF: What are Holcim Costa Rica’s priorities moving forward?
NS: Our priorities align with the global "NextGen Growth 2030" company strategy, which drives sustainable growth. Latin America plays a key role in this global strategy, and Costa Rica is fundamental in translating it locally. Key focus areas include:
- Diversifying our product portfolio with low-carbon materials, circular technologies, and modular construction solutions.
- Investing in innovation to digitalize processes, increase operational efficiency, and provide solutions that meet the increasing demands of urban environments.
- Expanding our presence in the country through acquisitions, new channels, and alliances that strengthen our role as an enabler of sustainable development.
Costa Rica, like the rest of Latin America, faces significant needs in urbanization and especially road infrastructure. We aim to be a principal actor in meeting these development challenges.
EF: How does Holcim address the needs of the healthcare and pharma sectors within your business solutions?
NS: Within our comprehensive solutions, we have a specific offering for the construction sector. Among our business units, one is dedicated to constructive solutions. We have been active in this area for over a year, and in the past year, where I have been most involved, the presence and development of industrial facilities for the pharma sector have grown exponentially.
We contribute to this growth in two main ways. First, by providing turnkey construction of entire industrial facilities. We are contracted to handle everything from the foundation to the heavy prefabricated structure, including the roofing. Second, by supplying products to construction companies that later complete the projects.
The growth in this type of construction has been significant, and the pharma sector is a key driver. Costa Rica now boasts more than 90 medical device companies, and the sector saw significant growth in 2023, reaching over $7.6 million, representing 42% of the national total. This growth has been mainly driven by free trade zones like Coyol and Logipark, where Holcim has participated.
EF: What makes Holcim the partner of choice for innovative and sustainable construction in Costa Rica’s healthcare sector?
NS: The construction industry is undergoing a structural transformation throughout Latin America, as there is a trend of decarbonization due to strong regulatory frameworks, there are government initiatives which are advancing decarbonization plans, and we identify the construction sector accounting for over 30% of energy consumption and about 25% of indirect emissions globally. The region is increasingly focused on mitigating these impacts.
The most important aspect is not only the construction solution itself, but also that it is delivered in a sustainable manner with low environmental impact. These companies do not just set up their businesses in Costa Rica; they are conscious of the country where they are operating and the impact they have.
In Costa Rica, we transform more than 72,000 tons of waste each year into energy or alternative fuel. Essentially, we place waste materials into our furnace, replacing fossil fuels to generate new products. This approach not only reduces our reliance on traditional energy sources but also supports our commitment to sustainability, which is what our customers value.
Costa Rica is a pioneer in the region when it comes to these kinds of transformations and decarbonization initiatives.
EF: Can you tell us about recent regulatory changes and how they affect construction and demolition waste, and how Holcim is delivering value?
NS: Recently, Costa Rica introduced new regulations requiring that all demolition waste be disposed of in designated locations. Similar to how hazardous or chemical waste is managed, there must be final disposition and tracking of where and how this waste is processed. This is a new development in Costa Rica, and it ensures that demolition materials are handled responsibly.
We have developed “ECOCycle,” a technology platform designed to accelerate circular change—building the new from the old—and closing the loop in construction by recycling demolition materials into new building solutions, in line with the latest regulations. Through this initiative, we continuously seek to create value with differentiated products while always aiming to reduce our carbon footprint.
EF: On a more personal note, can you share your leadership style, and what advice would you give to other women aspiring to similar roles?
NS: I deeply believe in purpose-driven leadership. For me, leading is not just about setting targets, though that is important, but about building high-performance teams where performance is key.
I strive to create a culture where people understand the value of their work and feel part of something bigger. I want my teams to be motivated to create a positive impact, and I communicate with passion because I genuinely believe in what we are doing.
At Holcim Costa Rica, we promote a leadership style centered on purpose, performance, and people. This aligns with our global culture, which we call the Holcim Spirit, based on these three pillars: Purpose, Performance, and People.
We want every team member to be a protagonist of change, especially in sustainability, innovation, and teamwork. We foster diverse, agile teams with a growth mindset, encourage collaboration, and focus on results while being mindful of our social and environmental impact.
A concrete example of our commitment to equity is our executive committee, which is currently 67% women, and 42% of our new hires this year are also women. We also launched a youth leadership program and are working closely with universities to bring in new talent, as they are our future clients and see things differently.
Leading with purpose means empowering people, building more human and sustainable environments, and opening doors for others. As a woman, I feel a great responsibility, especially coming from traditionally male-dominated industries. I always share the story of when I started at Shell many years ago—there were only two women in a team of 50. My advice to other women is to lead with authenticity, seek out high-performing teams, and never underestimate the value of diverse perspectives.
EF: What legacy do you hope to leave, both for your team and for Holcim?
NS: I imagine myself with my team, not just having exported talent, but having left a meaningful impact on people. For me, it’s about leaving a mark, helping people grow and opening paths for other women.
I see a future of continuous growth and constant challenge. After four years at Holcim Group, I can look back and see all we have achieved, but looking forward, there is still so much to do. Transformation, learning, and ongoing development are constants here. We are always striving for more, seeking opportunities and well-being for everyone who works with us.
The legacy of more than 60 years that Holcim Costa Rica has built is significant, but what stands out is our culture of revolutionizing and completely transforming the industry.
