Caring for the land, the people, and the ocean.

The vision to do things differently on the coast of Costalegre lived within the founders for years before finally finding expression in Sierra a Mar. Discover the origin story of how this dream became reality.

Founding Members

Richard Gere

Richard is globally known as an actor and artist. He has also been a visionary leader in humanitarian and environmental efforts for decades. He co-founded the Tibet House, created the Gere Foundation, and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet. Recognizing that a holistic development plan must be approached from a regional perspective, Richard helped bring Sierra a Mar to life as an independent organization for the region.

Read the full bio here

Spokesperson, Co-founder, Angel Donor

Alejandra has a long track record as an activist and humanitarian. Her deep commitment to community health and development helps determine the direction of Sierra A Mar’s community-based conservation approach. Alejandra leads the Gere Foundation’s focus on some of today’s most urgent social issues: from ending homelessness in Spain by 2030 to promoting mental health, protecting nature, supporting displaced people, and amplifying women’s and youth voices.

Read the full bio here

 Co-founder, Spokesperson

Alejandra Gere

Juan Bremer

Juan Bremer is a highly accomplished investor and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience developing and managing high-end residential and hotel properties in Mexico and Europe. He is a founding partner of RLD Development, which later became BK Partners. Juan is also a member of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and deputy CEO of RLH Properties, which is listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange. It is the largest luxury hotel group in Mexico, encompassing iconic properties such as One&Only Mandarina Resort, Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico City, and the Mayakoba Resort.

Juan is now applying his experience in high-end sustainable project development at the Xala property, on the Costalegre coast. He is a passionate advocate for nature protection and is a key supporter of Sierra A Mar.

Co-Founder, Advisor, Angel Donor,

Maria Jose Bremer

…

 Co-founder, Spokesperson

Co-Founder, Advisor, Angel Donor,

Ricardo Santa Cruz

Ricardo is a visionary entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in land acquisition and real estate development. He is a Founding Partner at Xala, a 3,000-acre resort development on the Costalegre, Jalisco. Born in Mexico City to a Mexican father and American mother, Santa Cruz's bicultural background and bilingual skills have been instrumental in bridging the gap between American investors and the Mexican business landscape. As a founding partner of Mandarina, another high-end development in Riviera Nayarit, Santa Cruz first showcased his ability to create sustainable, environmentally friendly projects that cater to the discerning tastes of the high-net-worth market.

Ricardo brings his considerable experience as a developer to Sierra A Mar and is helping inspire others in the region to support the vision of sustainable and regenerative development.

Jerónimo Bremer

Jerónimo Bremer has over two decades of investment experience. He served as Vice President at Goldman Sachs Principal Strategies Group in London. He holds degrees in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Cologne, Germany, and ICADE, Madrid, and is currently a member of the investment and advisory board of Pedralbes Partners. Jerónimo is a founding partner of the international investment firm BK Partners and real estate development company RLD, and as the co-founder and President of the Executive Committee of RLH Properties, he further solidifies his reputation as a leader in acquiring, developing, and managing high-end hotels and resorts. His impressive portfolio includes being a founding shareholder of ACTUR, a high-end property developer, and co-founder of BALAM Fund, a renewable energy fund. Jerónimo's unwavering commitment to pursuing sustainable coastal development gives Sierra A Mar the perspective of what is possible for the future.

Co-Founder, Advisor, Angel Donor,

Stefanie Bremer

…

 Co-founder, Spokesperson

…

...

How it all started

When the founders of the Xala project first arrived on the Costalegre coast two decades ago, they immediately recognized its ecological significance. As one of Mexico’s richest and most pristine ecosystems, the region had fortunately been spared from overdevelopment. Driven by this discovery, the partners embraced both the responsibility and the unique opportunity to lay the foundations for an initiative that would go far beyond the borders of the Xala project.

Sierra A Mar was formed to become an independent, regional initiative, led by Richard Gere and guided by experts and visionaries who have a deep knowledge of the region. The initiative serves as a neutral bridge-building organization between stakeholders to align, engage, and manage the interests of local communities, government entities, local investors, and academic experts. At its core is the concept of Ridge-to-Reef conservation, which has become the leading model for sustainable planning around the world.

But this all starts with deep listening and dialogue with the local people. It is only then that we can effectively regenerate ecosystems, protect social wellbeing and livelihoods, and foster long-term sustainability.

Sierra a Mar offers a living example of how environmental stewardship and human prosperity can advance together, in genuine partnerships, hopefully inspiring other successful projects around the world.

Our early successes have built trust and momentum, and a confidence that this is the right time and the right place. We can now build on the lessons learned and expand it by incorporating the experiences and knowledge of our partners.