Silvia Rivela

Silvia Rivela, from Ourense in Galicia, is a trained architect and artist. After a decade as an entrepreneur and consultant in technological business transformation, she transitioned in 2021 to become a content creator and public speaker focused on women in tech, dedicating herself to spotlighting women-led projects at the nexus of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Her work has earned over 60 mentions in leading outlets—Forbes, Elle Magazine, Telefónica ThinkBig, Women.es—and taken her to flagship stages at Mobile World Congress, 4YFN, and Sónar Festival. She’s also forged strategic partnerships with Google for Startups and AIS Channel to amplify her impact. A visionary in pursuit of real impact—guided by her motto “Inspire, Dare, and Change the World”—Silvia founded Rivela: Universo TPG Podcast in 2024, turning her creativity into a catalyst for transformation. As the fastest-growing Spanish-language video podcast on technology, business, and women, it has amassed over 6.2 million impressions across 27 episodes in its first year, connecting a global audience with stories of women who dare to break stereotypes and reshape the world through technology. Her goal is to build bridges between female talent and business opportunities, to plant STEM role models that inspire girls and young women and—through accessible, disruptive, and sustainable narratives—to facilitate the cultural and social transformation of Spanish-speaking women toward technology (with a hefty dose of color, disruption and plenty of humor).

How did IE help you get to where you are today?

Attending IE Business School was nothing short of life-changing. It tested my limits—from relentless perseverance and decisive leadership to deep collaboration and access to a truly global support network—turning every challenge into a chance to grow. Completing my Executive MBA in 2023 wasn’t just an academic milestone; it was the spark that transformed my dream of Rivela into a living, breathing community. I’ll never forget the day after graduation when I pitched ¨Rivela: Universo TPG Podcast¨ to my mentor in Venture Lab, Manu Linares—he saw its scalability and impact instantly. I’m forever grateful to Manu and the entire IE community for believing in me and equipping me, through hands-on strategy labs, innovation workshops, and a diverse cohort, with the tools and confidence to launch Rivela as a thriving, self-sustaining platform that empowers women in technology. Since then, my bond with IE has only grown stronger. As a mentor to MBA entrepreneurs and expert advisor within IE’s entrepreneurship circles, I strive to pay forward the guidance and camaraderie that fueled my own journey in the StartupLab. Through groups like the IE Alumni Women’s Network and the IE Technology & Innovation Club—where I lead dynamic workshops, keynote talks, and joint events—I continue propelling Rivela to the forefront of tech trends while nurturing a global sisterhood of changemakers. Thank you, IE, for this incredible journey and for inspiring me every day. Join us as we build an inclusive future where every woman’s voice can be heard!

How are you impacting the lives of women?

The program impacts women’s lives by creating visibility, opportunity, and community. Through Rivela: Universo TPG Podcast, we spotlight women leaders in STEM, amplifying their stories to over 6.2 million listeners and viewers. By showcasing real challenges and successes, we dismantle stereotypes and provide young women with tangible role models. Our “TecnoTérminos” capsules break down complex tech concepts into bite-sized learning moments, equipping audiences with the confidence to pursue their own projects. The multiplier effect is already underway. Several of our guests have formed professional agreements among themselves—and with partner companies and corporations—that have generated real economic value. Young talent has gained international development opportunities, and other women and organizations have reached out to forge new synergies. We connect through realism and humor, too. Forty percent of our audience is male, proving that women-created technology resonates across the board and piques curiosity in everyone. Rivela is a true space of convergence—where together we can build a more diverse future in which everyone has a place. We turn inspiration into action and tangible results. Beyond the airwaves, our community has grown to over 8,200 YouTube subscribers and 19,000 followers across platforms. We connect guests and viewers with business opportunities—ranging from European internships secured by podcast participants to strategic collaborations born out of our community.

In your opinion, what institutional or societal changes need to be made to keep women at the forefront of business and society?

Institutional change must start with policies that level the playing field and embed inclusion into every layer of business and governance: Equal-pay and transparency laws. Mandatory reporting on gender pay gaps—and enforceable penalties for non-compliance—ensure women receive the same compensation as men for equal work. Inclusive parental-leave and flexible-work frameworks. Equitable leave for all caregivers, combined with remote- and flex-work options, prevents motherhood (or caregiving) from derailing women’s careers and normalizes shared responsibilities. Board-and-leadership quotas plus sponsorship programs. Requiring a minimum percentage of women on corporate boards and executive teams—and pairing high-potential women with senior “sponsors”—creates both opportunity and accountability at the very top. Dedicated funding and procurement targets. Government and corporate procurement set-asides for women-led businesses, along with venture capital funds earmarked for female founders, channel capital to the entrepreneurs who historically face the greatest barriers. Societal change demands a cultural shift that begins in schools and reverberates through media, families, and workplaces: Early STEM and entrepreneurship education for girls. Integrating hands-on tech projects, leadership exercises, and coding into primary and secondary curricula builds confidence before stereotypes take hold. Visible role models and media representation. Highlighting diverse women in tech, business, art, and politics—across social media, news, and entertainment—normalizes women’s success and expands young girls’ sense of possibility. Unconscious-bias training plus male-allyship initiatives. Embedding regular bias-awareness workshops in corporations and community groups, alongside actively engaging men as champions of equity, breaks down attitudinal barriers. Accessible childcare and community support networks. Affordable, high-quality childcare, paired with local “sharing economy” networks (e.g., cooperative babysitting, peer mentoring), relieves the burden on women and reinforces the idea that a thriving career and family life can coexist. By combining robust institutional safeguards with a broader societal commitment to equity—starting in the classroom and extending to boardrooms and beyond—we create an environment where women not only survive but lead, innovate, and transform our world.