Miami’s vibrant atmosphere was the backdrop of the sixth edition of the Esade Alumni Annual Meeting of the Americas, a gathering that stretches beyond borders to assemble a broad representation of alumni who want to connect, learn, and keep growing together.
The welcome by Pedro Galván (Lic&MBA 98), president of the Esade Alumni Miami Chapter, signaled the start of an intense, enriching day that from the very early hours welcomed professionals from diverse sectors with different career paths with the expectation of gaining valuable information on the latest market trends.
The event’s program was designed to strike a perfect balance between cutting-edge learning and networking opportunities. To do so, thanks to the participation of a world-class expert panel, the debate panels organized addressed such a wide range of topics as business expansion in the United States, financial strategies in Latin America, innovation in the wine and concert sectors, and even talent management and personal wellbeing. The participants included Mónica Vázquez, President of the Spain-United States Chamber of Commerce in Florida; Myriam Bril, VP of GSFO, Head of Latam Swat at Goldman Sachs; Laura Mateo, Chief of Staff and CMO at Manzanos Enterprises; Christiam Camargo, Professor in the Cognitive Neurology Division at the University of Miami; Natalie Rogers, USA Director at Exóticca; Francesca Rossi, Internacional Director at Rizzoli; Juan Carlos Pereira, CEO of the Spain-United States Chamber of Commerce in Florida; Lianner Navarro, Community Director at Miami Rescue Mission; Igor Martret, CEO of Drivania; Montserrat Garrido, Latin America Public Sector Sales Head at Citi Bank; Carlos Pintado, poet, writer, and winner of the Peace Prize for Poetry; Marc Aptakin, CEO of Mad Agency; Lucía Riaño, TV Executive Producer, Journalist, Public Relations, TV Host, and Events at Hola TV; Carmen Jiménez, Owner of Redondos; Renatta Velazquez, Communication BD Manager at Keralty Compassionate Communities; Jordi Ricart, Co-Founder of Curated; Manuel Aguilera, VP of News at Canela Media; and Cesar Daza, Coach at Eyessportusa.
Beyond the informative sessions, the coffee break and subsequent lunch became opportunities to exchange ideas, forge new professional relationships, and solidify existing ones. The chance to share experiences with other alumni who are facing similar challenges is unquestionably one of the main attractions of this type of gathering.
Iñaki Ocaña (Lic&MBA 06), Global Relations Director at Esade Alumni, was in charge of closing the event. He underscored the association’s commitment to foster and strengthen bonds among community members in the Americas.
“It was really enriching to have a variety of expert speakers in a wide array of fields to learn new information, get inspiration, and expand the areas of knowledge that I’m exposed to in my day-to-day life. The idea that resonated with me the most was the one presented by Jordi Ricart on leading with the heart: “Infusing unconditional love into business,” as he outlines in his book Pay it Forward.
“Participating in events like this is uniquely valuable, especially when you live outside Spain, because it makes me feel at home. A safe atmosphere is created to share and connect with really interesting professionals who often turn into friends. I always come back from every event with new information, contacts, and good vibes!”
“I found it really interesting to see how different industries are dealing with similar challenges, especially in an increasingly complex global economic context. Listening to different perspectives on issues like the evolution of the global economy and the impact of tariffs enabled me to better understand how these factors affect different sectors across the board. And by different industries sharing experiences, we learn really valuable lessons that we don’t always find in our everyday professional lives. I always leave this event with new perspectives through outstanding exposure to different challenges, viewpoints, and approaches.
“I think that this type of event has a very positive impact, both individually and collectively, and both professionally and personally. They are spaces that foster real networking and cross-disciplinary learning. They enable us to get out of our professional bubbles, discover new perspectives, and strengthen our sense of community. Plus, the social aspect is equally valuable: having the chance to reconnect with other alumni, keeping our bonds alive, and knowing that we have a solid network of people with shared values makes a huge difference, especially for those of us who live abroad.”
“It was a fantastic event. The agenda was packed with expert speakers in a variety of strategic economic sectors. It’s always very stimulating to get out of your ‘box’ and see the trends, opportunities, and risks in other areas in society. I like Jordi Ricard’s presentation, when he spoke about connecting with your life’s meaning in your professional life, as well as the importance of the cultural component of an organization and its people.
“For me, one of the things that helps professional development the most is the opportunity to expand and reinforce your network of contacts with people who share Esade’s values, motivated professionals with top-notch training who are able to compete globally in a balanced way, with sustainability and ethics.”
