The decision by NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE to spotlight Natalia Montaño, founder of Aguamarina Schools, on the cover of Ejecutiva Magazine carries implications beyond a single recognition. It signals the emergence of a Latin American-origin educational model that is scaling internationally from South Florida, with a philosophy that blends academic rigor with emotional well-being and leadership formation. Montaño's project now operates three campuses in Miami—Brickell, South Miami, and Downtown Miami—as well as sites in Mexico City and Bogotá, suggesting that the “Kind & Cool” approach is finding traction across borders.
The timing matters. The cover story coincides with Montaño's recognition on October 8 at the Top Entrepreneurs of USA Awards 2026, organized by Negocios Magazine and Ejecutiva Magazine at the EB Hotel Miami. Together, these platforms are elevating a female founder whose work bridges education and entrepreneurship, a combination that Ejecutiva Magazine has long championed. For Miami's business ecosystem, the visibility reinforces the city's role not only as a hub for startups and finance but also as an incubator for social-impact ventures with global reach.
Aguamarina's “Kind & Cool” philosophy integrates academic learning with values, creativity, autonomy, and social responsibility. In Montaño's words, “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.” That framing positions the school as part of a broader shift in education toward whole-child development—an area where demand is growing among internationally mobile families in Miami and Latin America.
The project is also a family enterprise. Montaño's husband, architect Roberto Salazar, co-founded Aguamarina Elementary, and her daughter Luisa Salazar serves as co-founder and director. Luisa also founded the Planet Patrol Foundation, which promotes environmental education and children's leadership through conservation and community participation. This layered structure may help explain the model's coherence: it extends from early childhood through environmental stewardship, creating a pipeline of engaged learners and young leaders.
For Ejecutiva Magazine, the cover is consistent with its mission of highlighting women who transform industries and create opportunities. By featuring Montaño, the publication is not merely celebrating an individual but also validating a woman-led educational enterprise that began in Miami and now operates across three countries. The full interview and article are available in Natalia Montaño: the educator redefining teaching in Miami | Ejecutiva Magazine.
The broader implication is that Miami's identity as an education exporter is gaining recognition. As families and investors look for alternatives to traditional schooling, models like Aguamarina—rooted in emotional safety and leadership—could attract attention from other markets. Montaño's cover story thus serves as both a milestone for her company and a signal that South Florida is becoming a source of educational innovation with international ambitions.
