IE Alumni Return Home to Celebrate Global Alumni Weekend 2024

More than 800 alumni from 75 countries gathered in Madrid to reunite with their former classmates, celebrate achievements, and reaffirm their ongoing connection to IE University and its global community of over 80,000 alumni.

The three-day Global Alumni Weekend commenced on June 7th with a welcome cocktail hosted by Business School Dean, Lee Newman. Alumni attended sessions tailored for their class reunions, spanning 5 to 25 years, taught by their favorite professors. To conclude the first day, the official opening ceremony featured warm welcomes from; Sara Lindgren, Head of Global Alumni Relations; Manuel Muñiz, Provost of IE University; and Ines Drieselmann, Vice President of Global Alumni and Talent & Careers.

“The Global Alumni Weekend is more than just an event, it is a celebration of our IE community’s spirit and achievements. It’s a profound reminder of the impact we can have when we unite, share our stories, and build on the strong foundation of our shared experiences. The GAW isn’t just an occasion; it is the heartbeat of our community,” said Lindgren.

The highlight of the weekend was the black-tie Gala Dinner held at the cultural landmark, Círculo de Bellas Artes. Alumni shone in their formal attire, and enjoyed a night of fine dining, dancing to DJ sets, and creating last memories.

A particularly inspiring part of the weekend was the IE EPIC Awards, which recognize alumni who are accomplished entrepreneurs, leaders, and role models that foster positive change, while demonstrating commitment to society and delivering exemplary work in their fields of knowledge across the different stages of their lives.

This year, peers voted for the following 2024 EPIC Awards winners:

• Women Inspiring Women - Priscilla Angriawan, GOMBA 2023

• Human Success - Ashley Steiner, BIR 2019

• Business Impact - Claudia Di Terlizzi Bretón, EDTX 2021

• Young and Ambitious Minds - Rafaela Valencia Dongo, BID 2022

• Creators - Andreia Ulson Quercia, IMBA 2017

During the weekend, alumni also had the opportunity to return to the classroom for one of the 32 masterclasses taught by IE professors. For example, Professor Susanna Torres Prieto led a session on the human algorithm and the digitalization of human intelligence through AI.

"It was great to dissect human and AI abilities with simple exercises showing that the unique strength of humans is inventions while AI can drive innovation – a powerful team." 
Kevin Heyse, IMBA 2017, who attended the masterclass

The IE Center for Health and Well-being organized special activities to teach alumni how to focus on the present moment, manage stress, and invest time and energy in acquiring new skills and knowledge without experiencing burnout. These activities, including fitness and mindfulness exercises, were designed to help teach alumni how to perform better in their daily tasks and become more effective professionals.

The process of reconnecting and meeting new people was facilitated by IE Talent & Careers and IE Entrepreneurship & Innovation Centre during the networking sessions. Here, alumni engaged with industry leaders, innovators, and fellow entrepreneurs from sectors such as Consulting, Finance, Technology, Health, Sustainability, and more.

This year, IE University surpassed the milestone of 80,000 alumni worldwide. Events like the Global Alumni Weekend bring together members of the alumni community in Madrid, reconnecting them with the places, people, and experiences that defined crucial moments in their professional and personal lives.

We eagerly anticipate the Global Alumni Weekend in 2025. Stay connected with Global Alumni Relations and follow to stay up-to-date on LinkedIn.