Monica Flores Consulting: Strategic Advice, Value and Impact

With 25 years of international experience in communications and public affairs, Monica Flores founded her own consulting firm in 2021. Monica Flores Consulting Inc. provides strategic advisory services in areas including corporate reputation, communications, and government and stakeholder relations.

Over the course of her career, Flores has held leadership roles in 13 countries across Europe, Latin America, and North America. As a trusted strategic advisor, she has led high-impact, multicultural initiatives focused on achieving business results for major organizations, including Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE), IMS Health (now IQVIA), GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Novartis.

In this interview with Spotlight Montreal, Monica Flores discusses her consulting firm and shares her perspective on how the current geopolitical environment is affecting Canada, particularly the business community.

What does Monica Flores Consulting Inc. specialize in?

We provide strategic advice in communications, government relations, and stakeholder engagement, helping our clients maximize their impact and achieve their business or transformation objectives.

We work with communications leaders, CEOs, and consulting firms that want to strengthen the impact of their strategies and turn communications into a true driver of business value—helping organizations strengthen their positioning, build trust, and achieve their goals.

 

Would you say that a company’s communications can actually contribute to productivity and generate tangible business benefits?

Absolutely. I believe that strategic, well-integrated communications can transform the way an organization engages with its stakeholders, strengthen its reputation, and help it achieve its objectives.

With 25 years of international business experience, we bring a strategic, multicultural, and results-oriented perspective to our work, always adapting our approach to the specific needs of each organization.

Who are your clients? Who is Monica Flores Consulting designed to serve?

We advise organizations in Canada and internationally, working in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Our clients can be organizations looking to strengthen areas such as: Brand and corporate reputation Internal and external communications Stakeholder engagement Change management and organizational transformation Transformation of the communications function Implementation of new operating models Our goal is to increase the strategic value of communications, strengthen reputation, and generate tangible impact for both the business and the organization.

 

What have been the key factors in defining your leadership within the business ecosystem?

When I founded my company, I wanted to bring my clients the experience I had gained over a long career in communications, public affairs, and government relations. I had worked with multinational pharmaceutical companies as well as a Canadian crown corporation.

That experience gave me a broad understanding of how organizations operate across different sectors, cultures, and environments, and I wanted to bring that perspective to my consulting work.

When it comes to social leadership, what is your focus?

Contributing to society is very important to me. I am particularly motivated by supporting the development of young people and, more specifically, the next generation of leaders within the Latino community.

I have been a guest lecturer in leadership and international strategy courses at some of Canada’s leading business schools. I have also volunteered on 15 boards and committees, supporting universities, hospitals, museums, and organizations that assist women facing difficult circumstances. I am particularly passionate about helping more women leaders from diverse cultural backgrounds develop their potential. I have also had the privilege of supporting women’s leadership through my volunteer involvement with the International Women’s Forum.

What accolades have you received throughout your career?

I have been fortunate to received numerous accolades throughout my career.

In 2023, I was a finalist for the Réseau des Femmes d’affaires du Québec award in the Woman of Influence in the Community category. In 2025, I was named one of the Top 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians, and in 2026, I was recognized among Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants.

I was also selected to participate in the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference and was invited twice to participate in the Banff Forum, a strategic forum that brings together Canadian leaders.

During my career in the pharmaceutical industry, I received international recognition for excellence in public affairs and for outstanding employee performance.

I have also received scholarships to pursue studies at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, where I completed my governance certification as part of my work with boards of directors.

 

What have you learned about balancing motherhood with being a successful entrepreneur?

Finding that balance is not easy, but being an entrepreneur has actually helped me achieve it. Entrepreneurship gives you greater flexibility than an executive position within a large organization.

Having a strong support system is essential—both family and other people you can rely on. We cannot do it alone.

What habits have helped you achieve your goals?

Perseverance has been extremely important to me. I have always been willing to put in the effort required to achieve my goals.

My parents were very important role models. They had to establish their careers in Canada from scratch, without knowing either English or French. Watching them build a new life taught me the importance of determination and resilience.

I also believe it is essential to build a strong network and maintain an open mind and perspective. Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you never expected.

 

Drawing on your experience in the business, government, and organizational sectors, how would you describe the challenges facing entrepreneurs, business owners, and producers in today’s North American geopolitical environment?

It is a challenging time to be a business owner or entrepreneur. It requires a great deal of flexibility, creativity, and adaptability.

It is also important to increase our networking efforts so that we can expand opportunities and develop new markets. I make a point of speaking regularly with professionals in my community and broader network to better understand geopolitical developments, the challenges they create, and how I can better prepare for them.

Is Canada—and Quebec in particular—still a land of opportunity for entrepreneurs?

I would say that the current environment is challenging across Canada. Macroeconomic uncertainty is causing many companies to reduce their budgets or hesitate to commit to contracts because they are uncertain about what lies ahead.

That said, challenging environments also require organizations and entrepreneurs to think differently, remain adaptable, and look for new opportunities.

 

What advice would you give Latino entrepreneurs in Montreal who want to succeed and build successful businesses?

You need strength and resilience, and you need to be willing to innovate.

Adaptability is essential. At the same time, entrepreneurs should focus on strengthening their networks and making those networks more strategic and effective. The relationships you build can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and markets.

What message would you like to share with our audience?

Never give up. Perseverance is essential to achieving success. It is important to continue investing in building and strengthening a strong and diverse network. It is equally important to invest in professional development and training opportunities.

Ultimately, we are our own best investment.