Hugo Rodriguez Nicolat

Hugo is the Vice President of Government Affairs (LAC Region) at American Express

Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around the daily 20–30-minute commute to school with my dad. He has always relished listening to the news, enthusiastically offering his candid political opinions to the family. As I grew older, I began joining him in those lively debates, and from that moment, I was captivated by the world of politics. 

Nurturing that passion, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in my hometown of Mexico City and soon started working in the public sector, with roles in Congress, public administration, and foreign affairs. Eager to deepen my expertise, I chose to pursue further training at LSE. The MPA Dual Degree program at LSE stood out as the ideal next step. Its distinguished reputation, rigorous academics, and world-class faculty were highly appealing, as was the chance to also benefit from Columbia University’s SIPA. These experiences and lessons continue to serve me well in my professional journey. 

Almost by coincidence, the world of tech policy opened its doors to me. After finishing my MPA, I was leading a local non-profit in Mexico, which required frequent travel. It was during these trips that I first discovered a remarkable little app called Uber. One ride was all it took—I was instantly hooked. I immediately became interested in its regulatory model and started exploring opportunities with the company, which I eventually secured. 

My transition into this new field happened, fortunately, at an opportune moment. In the early 2010s, “tech policy” experts were rare, especially outside the US and EU. At a time when disruptive technologies were transforming communications, transportation, lodging, and financial services, there were few public policy professionals with experience in these areas. 

I quickly grew passionate about the sector and have remained so ever since: having the opportunity to work for, build from the ground up, and lead public policy teams across Latin America, tackling challenges in urban mobility, social media regulation, and, more recently, payment systems. Gratefully, I have been able to work for companies and products whose missions I deeply believe in—and of which I am a loyal customer to this day. 

Currently, I lead the Government Affairs team for the Latin America and Caribbean region at American Express, in an era where emerging technologies are once again transforming financial services. My work centers on shaping regulatory strategy and political engagement across diverse markets, collaborating closely with legal and compliance teams to anticipate legislative shifts and champion innovation-friendly frameworks that safeguard consumers and foster financial inclusion. This role perfectly blends my lifelong passion for spirited political dialogue with the strategic challenges of an industry whose future inspires me. 

Being able to do what I love—engaging in policy and advocacy for products I believe in—is a dream come true for the kid who grew up debating politics with his dad on the way to school. 

Hugo is happy to connect via LinkedIn.