As part of its effort to connect members of the IPADE community and foster spaces for networking and brainstorming new business ideas, IPADE Business School hosted the first-ever Global Alumni Gathering on December 8 and 9, 2020. Like so many other aspects of our lives in 2020, the event was held online, bringing together nearly 4,000 graduates from various class years.
The opening panel, titled “The Challenges Ahead in 2021: Reactivation, Entrepreneurship, and Social Impact,” was moderated by IPADE Dean Rafael Gómez Nava and featured the participation of Claudia Jañez, President of Dupont México and of the Consejo Ejecutivo de Empresas Globales, and Eduardo Osuna, Vice President and CEO of BBVA Mexico.
Both business leaders highlighted that it will be crucial for the Mexican business community to work together in 2021 to contribute to a long-term vision of economic recovery.
The next session, titled “The Road Ahead,” featured business leaders Edmundo Vallejo Venegas, academic and independent consultant; Julio Gutiérrez Mercadillo, entrepreneur, investor, and business advisor; José Medina Mora, President of CompuSoluciones; and Jaime Zebada, Director of Finance and Administration of Corporación Interamericana de Entretenimiento, along with José Antonio Dávila, Professor of General Management at IPADE.
“If we create better companies, we will better be able meet society’s needs, create new job opportunities, and more effectively use available resources,” said Professor Dávila. “The multiplier effect will mean better opportunities for all.”
Later in the program, Fernanda Llergo Bay, Rector of UP-IPADE, called on participants to commit to reactivating the country’s economy with care, solidarity, and hope:
“Within our spheres of influence—at work, at our companies, and within our families—let’s use everything we’ve got and focus all our attitudes and actions to fighting this crisis as best as possible, for ourselves and for others. Let’s step up to the plate to contribute what we can and more.”
At the close of the first day, an In Memoriam video was shared to honor the memory of the IPADE professors that are no longer with us, and who worked to polish and perfect the business leaders that have passed through our halls over the past 50 years.
The second day of programming opened with the panel “Fifty Years of the MEDE Program: Past and Future Impact,” featuring Mónica Flores, President of ManpowerGroup LATAM, and Santiago García, CEO of La Comer. Both remembered the time they spent in IPADE’s MBA program fondly, as well as the knowledge and lessons learned that have accompanied them throughout their professional careers.
Later in the day, Maciej Bazela and Karla Petersen, professors in the Social and Political Environment Department, discussed the main challenges facing Mexico in 2021, as well as what the country’s relationship with the United States might look like under the incoming Biden administration.
Marc Sachon, professor in the Production, Technology, and Operations Management Department of IESE, then gave a talk titled “The Future of Mobility.”
“In the future, mobility will require an app that integrates all transportation services, greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, and a consistent commitment to the circular economy,” said Professor Sachon.
As the second day of programming came to a close, Julián Sánchez, Deputy Director of IPADE; Lorenzo Fernández, Director of the IPADE Monterrey campus; and Antonio Casanueva, Director of the IPADE Guadalajara campus, came together to reflect on the future of executive education. In the words of Mr. Fernández, “Discussing executive education right now is quite challenging, as we must think about the knowledge, skills, and abilities that executives will need in a post-COVID world.”
After two days of learning and networking, Dean Gómez Nava offered the following message of hope during his closing remarks: “We are truly hopeful about the future after hearing all these inspiring stories of IPADE alumni positively impacting society, defending the dignity of every person, and leaving their mark through their service.”
In addition to the plenary sessions held during the two-day event, participants had the opportunity to participate in a variety of parallel activities hosted by IPADE professors, including 11 panels, 10 mini-case studies, and 14 lectures.
