Pilar Guzmán is CEO and Co-Founder of Half Moon Empanadas, a leading fast-casual establishment renowned for its authentic empanadas. Under Pilar’s leadership, the Miami-based company has experienced remarkable growth, now boasting 23 locations across the nation, with an additional six currently in development. Pilar’s strategic vision is focused on establishing the empanada as an essential culinary delight within the American food scene.
Pilar’s entrepreneurial acumen has garnered widespread recognition, including her recent placement in Inc. magazine’s 2024 Female Founders 250, a prestigious list spotlighting the most dynamic women entrepreneurs in America. In addition, Half Moon Empanadas secured a spot on Inc.’s 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in the US in 2023 & 2024, and was named to Inc.’s 2024 Best in Business list in the Operational Excellence category. Pilar’s significant contributions to South Florida have also earned local accolades: she received the Miami-Dade County In the Company of Women Award in 2022 in the category of Outstanding Woman in Business & Economics, and she was recognized in the South Florida Business Journal’s 2019 list of 25 Influential Business Women.
Pilar’s leadership has turned Half Moon Empanadas, founded in 2008, into a trailblazer in the airport food industry. Her direction has fueled the company’s rapid expansion, with 11 stores in some of America’s largest airports, and an additional six planned to open in 2024. This success extends beyond just presence. The Miami International Airport location holds the title of #1 best-selling concept per square foot. And the Denver International Airport store stands out as a top-performing stand-alone kiosk.
Pilar is a passionate advocate for empowering women as well as minority entrepreneurs. At Half Moon, she has not only built a dedicated staff, predominantly composed of women, she fosters a culture of ambition, encouraging and empowering team members to develop their skills, pursue their passions and advance within the company. She frequently speaks about increasing opportunities for minority-owned businesses at airports, addresses the challenge of access to capital, mentors fellow business owners and directly invests in other local, minority-owned ventures.
In 2020, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, Pilar had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with President Biden regarding the distribution of PPP loans to small businesses in need of relief. Their virtual exchange provided the administration valuable insights into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs during the pandemic, particularly those with fewer than 10 employees.
She serves as a member of the Advisory Committee to the Master of Science in Foreign Service Program at Georgetown University and is a Trustee for The Miami Foundation, the foremost philanthropic organization in South Florida.
A native of Mexico, Pilar holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. She has been honored with the Ricardo Salinas Scholarship from the Aspen Institute and is a fellow of the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard School of Business. In addition, she is a graduate of the Latino Business Action Network Stanford Business Scaling Program and completed the Tory Burch Fellowship. Prior to her tenure at Half Moon Empanadas, she served as a National Program Associate at The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Despite her numerous achievements, she considers her most significant role to be that of a mother to her children, 14-year-old Diego and 11-year-old Sofia, with whom she resides in Miami.