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Swimming has been the gateway for so much of Luis F. Galvan-Sarabia’s success. He trained and competed for the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter freestyle, first in his native Mexico and then began traveling to the US as his skills improved. Swimming helped him make connections to permanently move. The sport eventually helped him to land a grad assistant role while pursuing his MBA. Swimming even had a hand in landing his first corporate role.
“That part of my life just gave me a very serious sense of focus,” Galvan-Sarabia says. “You learn how to push through difficulties. You remain disciplined and committed. Just because things may not be going your way initially, that’s not cause to give up. Swimming plays a critical role in who I am.”
Today, Galvan-Sarabia serves as vice president of commercial finance, for the company’s Transatlantic division at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol. The industry has been in need of a pleasant chaser as of late, with a post-pandemic reset in wine and spirits consumption that sees traditional standbys being challenged by canned cocktails and alcohol-free alternatives, product categories that Southern Glazer’s also distributes.
At Southern Glazer’s, though, Galvan-Sarabia says long-term, data-driven bets are keeping the organization on the offensive while many competitors are just trying to hold their ground.
“Things will stabilize eventually, but in the meantime, we continue to invest in our long-term vision rather than being so reactive,” Galvan-Sarabia explains. “That doesn’t mean we’re not evolving. It means we’re able to evolve with purpose and a larger view in mind. I’ve been so impressed by what leadership here continues to do day in and day out.”
Stronger Through Change
When Galvan-Sarabia joined Southern Glazer’s in 2014, he found a company big enough to offer constant new challenges and small enough, culturally, to notice and reward people who lean into those challenges. The finance pro has moved through commercial finance, pricing, financial planning and analysis, and commercial operations roles over the past twelve years and supported markets from Indiana and Florida to the broader East region and national business.
He was often asked to take on a new job before he felt fully ready, which kept him learning and made it easy to stay with the organization long term.
“Every time I think I’m settled here, something more challenging comes along,” Galvan-Sarabia says. “Just as importantly, I’ve stayed here because the people I work with are people I want to grow with. There have been huge changes over the years, but the culture here makes that a positive. Whether it’s our [2016] merger or changes in the market, this organization is made up of people who thrive on change.”
Galvan-Sarabia is one of those people. The merger of Southern Wine & Spirits and Glazer’s reshaped the business, expanding its reach and forcing new ways of working.
Today, the company is again in a period of transformation, updating how it goes to market, how teams are structured, and how it uses data and technology. For Galvan-Sarabia, it’s a chance to rebuild systems and habits in ways that better support growth, again, for the long term.
People, Process, and Profitability
At the center of his leadership approach is a simple framework: people, process, and profitability. It’s a philosophy he returns to often. People always come first. The VP spends time understanding what each person on his team needs—whether that’s a stretch assignment, clearer expectations, or more balance outside of work—and adjusts his style accordingly.
Once people’s basic needs are met, Galvan-Sarabia turns to process. In his view, unclear or clunky processes drain energy that should be spent on creating value. If people are stuck figuring out how to get basic tasks done, they’re not chasing the bigger opportunities. He works to remove friction so that teams can focus on the parts of the job that truly move the needle.
Profitability follows from that combination. When the right people are supported and the work is set up well, better financial results tend to come.
He is also sharpening his own toolkit. Galvan-Sarabia recently completed a certification in AI through MIT and is exploring practical ways to bring smarter automation into everyday work.
Continued Growth
For Hispanic leaders and emerging professionals, Galvan-Sarabia’s journey is a reminder of how different geographies of the same country can be.
When he first arrived in Indiana, only two people in his building spoke Spanish. Today, he lives in South Florida, where Spanish is everywhere. The contrast reinforces his belief that belonging starts with how you see yourself. His advice to others coming to the United States: Believe in your own skills, lean into the work ethic that brought you here, and don’t let language convince you that your ideas matter less.
“You have to believe in your skills and lean into that work ethic that got your here,” Galvan-Sarabia says. “Don’t let challenges with the language convince you that your ideas matter less.”
Keep swimming, even if it’s against the current.
