May Portuguez | Professor and Researcher | CENTRUM PUCP Graduate Business School, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
May Portuguez is a Costa Rican EdTech innovator and business administrator with over 14 years of experience in leveraging technology to enhance education. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles across various industries, which has given her a strategic perspective on the transformative power of education. She believes that education is a catalyst for change, equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to create new opportunities and improve their lives. At EliteX, we are proud to have May Portuguez as part of the edition: Transformational Women in EdTech, 2025.
In 2010, while pursuing her MBA, she became fascinated by the potential of corporate universities and identified an opportunity to enhance learning experiences through technological tools. This vision led her to establish an e-learning training company in Costa Rica, pioneering digital education solutions at a time when the industry was still in its early stages. Currently, she serves as a professor and researcher at CENTRUM PUCP Graduate Business School, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, where she integrates emerging technologies into her teaching methodologies to foster innovation and engagement in the classroom. Her mission is to empower learners through technology, ensuring education remains accessible, dynamic, and future-ready.
“Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to solve many of today’s challenges through education and technology.”
Her inspiration to work in EdTech came from the ability to reach people anytime, anywhere, and provide meaningful educational opportunities to diverse audiences. This motivation led her to launch her own venture, even when e-learning was still new in her country. Despite the challenges, she developed courses designed to equip students with essential skills and foster their growth. She first got involved in technology and education by taking courses to understand how technological tools work and how they can enhance students’ academic performance. This initial interest led her to pursue a Master’s in Educational Technology at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, where she deepened her knowledge of innovative learning methodologies. She later continued her academic journey with a Doctorate in Educational Innovation from the same institution, further strengthening her expertise in leveraging technology to transform education.
One of the first challenges she faced was being a pioneer in the e-learning field in her country, where online education was still unfamiliar to many. She had to develop a proposal that was both accessible and high-quality to build trust and engagement. Starting with a small group of interested learners, she eventually trained more than 3,000 people from different regions and even internationally. Another ongoing challenge has been staying ahead in a rapidly evolving field. The EdTech industry has grown exponentially in recent years, so she continuously seeks opportunities to update her knowledge, explore new technologies, and implement the latest innovations to enhance learning experiences.
Technology plays a crucial role in education by enabling learners from diverse backgrounds to access educational content anytime, anywhere, breaking down geographical and socioeconomic barriers. However, technology alone is not enough. Educators must also adopt effective pedagogical strategies to help students develop essential competencies and prepare for an increasingly competitive and dynamic world. When integrated with thoughtful instructional design, technology can present complex concepts more clearly, enhance motivation and engagement, and increase accessibility for learners. This creates more dynamic, interactive, and effective learning environments.
“Technology alone is not enough—it must be integrated with thoughtful instructional design to enhance learning.”
Over the years, the EdTech industry has experienced significant growth. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital tools to ensure education remained accessible, increasing awareness of technology-driven learning solutions and the demand for innovative approaches. In Latin America, there has been a surge in startups and EdTech companies striving to establish themselves in the market, reflecting a stronger focus on digital transformation in education and offering new opportunities to enhance learning experiences and bridge educational gaps.
Her biggest inspiration has been her family—her husband and three children have been a constant source of support and motivation. Additionally, she has learned from remarkable women educators and colleagues whose passion, resilience, and dedication have reinforced her commitment to innovation and excellence in education. One of her proudest achievements was founding her own e-learning company, which allowed her to train and support entrepreneurs in developing their websites and equipping them with essential management tools to run their businesses more effectively. Over time, her work evolved beyond training, as she dedicated herself to researching how to develop key entrepreneurial competencies and using her company as a platform to empower entrepreneurs. Seeing how education and technology can create tangible social impact has been incredibly rewarding.
The EdTech industry is full of opportunities, and women have the potential to leverage technology to create impactful educational solutions. As the demand for lifelong learning continues to grow, there is an increasing need for innovative platforms and tools that support continuous education. This presents a unique space for women entrepreneurs to develop businesses that add value through education. Identifying a challenge, seizing the opportunity, and turning it into a sustainable venture are key. She firmly believes that entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to solve many of today’s challenges.
Balancing her work in EdTech with her personal life has been possible thanks to the unwavering support of her family. Their encouragement has allowed her to live and work in three different countries—Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru—while continuing her journey as a professor and researcher. These experiences have enriched her career and deepened her appreciation for the time spent with her family. They have grown and learned together, embracing new challenges and opportunities as a team.
For young women interested in pursuing a career in EdTech, she advises continuous learning and upskilling. The gender gap in STEM fields remains significant, yet these areas offer incredible opportunities to develop tech-driven ventures with high potential for impact. She encourages young women to embrace this path, seek mentors for guidance and support, and set long-term goals to build a meaningful and successful career in EdTech. The combination of education, technology, and entrepreneurship has the power to transform industries and create lasting change.
Diversity and inclusion play a crucial role in the evolution of EdTech, as education is increasingly shifting toward personalized learning experiences. Emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, can adapt content to individual needs, ensuring that education is more accessible, equitable, and tailored to different learning styles. The ability to reach learners wherever they are contributes to the democratization of education, breaking down traditional barriers. Today, lifelong learning and workforce-ready skills development are key opportunities in EdTech, making diversity and inclusion essential drivers of innovation in the industry.
“Education is a catalyst for change, equipping individuals with knowledge and skills to create new opportunities.”
Her motivation comes from seeing how educational innovation enhances her students’ learning experiences. This drives her to stay updated by continuously taking courses, experimenting with new technologies, and applying what she learns in her teaching. As a researcher, she is committed to investigating and publishing her findings so that others can adapt and implement innovative practices in their courses. Engaging in communities of practice, attending conferences, and collaborating on research projects help her stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving EdTech landscape.
Looking toward the future, she envisions EdTech as a key driver of inclusive, high-quality education, ensuring that every learner has access to personalized and meaningful learning experiences. Her goal is to contribute by developing methodologies that effectively integrate technology, adapting to students’ individual needs, and fostering a more equitable and accessible education system. She expresses her gratitude to EliteX for this opportunity and to all the readers for their interest in the future of EdTech.