Natalia Montaño, the Colombian businesswoman and founder of Aguamarina Schools, is the cover subject of the latest issue of Ejecutiva Magazine. The publication profiles her business leadership and her commitment to transforming education through an academic model that combines excellence, emotional well-being, critical thinking, and the formation of future leaders. The feature coincides with another recognition: on October 8, Montaño was honored at the Top Entrepreneurs of USA Awards 2026, a ceremony organized by Negocios Magazine and Ejecutiva Magazine at the EB Hotel Miami.
Under Montaño’s leadership, Aguamarina Schools has developed the educational philosophy “Kind & Cool,” which integrates academic learning with values, creativity, autonomy, and social responsibility. The school currently operates three campuses in Miami—in Brickell, South Miami, and Downtown Miami—as well as locations in Mexico City and Bogotá. “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.
The growth of Aguamarina also represents a family legacy. 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.
Montaño’s story reflects the spirit of Ejecutiva Magazine, which highlights women who transform industries, create opportunities, and generate a positive impact on society. Her career demonstrates how an educational vision can become a business initiative with international reach, driven from South Florida. The magazine’s choice to feature her on the cover recognizes not only an outstanding businesswoman but also a woman who is helping to redefine education for new generations.
The full article and interview with Natalia Montaño can be read in Natalia Montaño: the educator redefining teaching in Miami | Ejecutiva Magazine. The announcement was distributed by NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.
Why this matters: Montaño’s recognition comes as female-led education ventures gain prominence in the U.S. and Latin America. Her model, which emphasizes emotional well-being alongside academic rigor, offers a potential blueprint for schools seeking to address both student achievement and mental health. With campuses in three countries, Aguamarina illustrates how a locally rooted educational philosophy can scale internationally, and Montaño’s cover feature signals broader media and business interest in women who are reshaping the education sector.
