overly technical focus and foster the new competencies our students require, such as critical thinking, adaptability, ethical decision-making, digital literacy, effective communication, emotional intelligence and the ability to lead with empathy and inclusiveness. Above all, we must ensure we prepare students with the capacity to lead: ie to set a strategic direction, mobilise an organisation and perform with agility and positive impact. “At Egade, our slogan, ‘Challenge the present, shape the future’, captures our commitment to preparing leaders who are inspired to think critically and innovatively. They are ready to act to transform businesses and organisations across a variety of sectors to advance towards a more inclusive, just and sustainable future.” What are the specific challenges that business schools in the Latin America region are currently facing and how do you plan to deal with them? “Latin America faces significant economic and social disparities and a set of complex factors that have hindered
“Moreoever, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative influence and quickly reshaped almost every domain. In business education, the impact of AI on how we think, learn, teach, research, innovate and deliver outcomes for our students, graduates, faculty, teams and other key stakeholders will only continue to grow. In the context of ethics, transparency and accountability, AI development has also become pivotal in constructing a future that integrates technological advancement with social responsibility.” What have been the highlights of your career to date? “Teaching is my passion and the core of my professional life; first and foremost, I consider myself to be a professor. Nothing is more rewarding than hearing from former students years later, recalling insights and experiences that have stayed with them. It’s a true privilege and a powerful reminder of why I do what I do. “Another significant highlight is this new chapter at Egade, which began over two years ago now. In this time, we have embarked on a transformative journey, engaging
with diverse stakeholders to redefine our purpose and realign our strategy for greater regional and global impact. “Our new mission statement, ‘Rethink the future of business to impact the sustainable development of Latin America’, is more than just a declaration; it’s a motivating call to action. Collaborating with the
sustainable and inclusive development for many countries in the region. However, despite numerous challenges, it remains a region of immense potential for transformation, with huge natural resources, cultural
diversity, a dynamic, young and talented
Alumni gain valuable insights from a range of workshops, networking events and career development at Egade’s annual U Week event
population and significant shifts in digital inclusion, as well as a strong
vibrant community at Egade, our wider university and our global network of academic, corporate and organisational partners, makes this chapter of my career incredibly fulfilling.” In what ways does the MBA need to reinvent itself to remain relevant in the 21st century? “I firmly believe that the MBA is more crucial now than ever before. Today’s most pressing challenges are typically complex and interconnected and require visionary leadership and interdisciplinary solutions. No other programme effectively brings together diverse students like the MBA – different cultures, disciplines, backgrounds and experiences – to learn about how best to manage organisations, as well as learning from each other so intensely. The MBA remains a valuable context where we can support students in accelerating their learning curve, but it must continuously evolve to stay relevant. “To navigate disruption and unpredictability, we need to go well beyond traditional education models with an
entrepreneurial tradition. Business schools in the region have a unique understanding of the challenges and socio- economic realities that Latin America faces and play a critical role in accelerating the transformation of business, fostering innovation, sustainability and ethical leadership. “At Egade, we aim to be a catalyst for regional development and transformation by promoting greater access to business education, enhancing governance, competitive markets, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable long-term value creation. We confront complex challenges through an ecosystem that questions the status quo by leveraging strategic collaboration with businesses as well as government, public and civil sector organisations. “This ecosystem connects with outstanding academic and organisational partners both within Latin America and internationally to co-create frameworks, knowledge, solutions and leadership development. This is essential in order to promote new management models and mindsets,
14 | Ambition | SEPTEMBER 2024
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