IE Foundation Fellows Reflect on Leadership, Purpose, and Community at Annual Welcome Event
Over 200 undergraduate and master’s students came together for the annual IE Foundation Fellows Welcome Event, a celebration of community and purpose, bringing together a new generation of future impact leaders.
Yesterday, IE Foundation hosted the IE Foundation Fellows Welcome Event, an inspiring gathering that brought together more than 200 current and newly admitted Fellows. The event offered an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and strengthen a community of purpose-driven students committed to personal growth, academic excellence, and developing as future leaders of impact.
The evening opened with welcoming remarks from Gonzalo Garland, Executive Vice President of IE Foundation, and Geoffroy Gérard, Managing Director of IE Foundation, who set the tone for a day centered on connection, curiosity, and social impact.
One of the highlights of the event was a thought-provoking dialogue between Santiago Íñiguez, President of IE University, and Fellows Maja Prokopiuk, Saleh Shaban, and Ripa Hovsepyan. Together, they reflected on what it means to lead in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, exploring the intersection of ethics, empathy, and innovation, as well as the enduring relevance of the humanities in the age of technology.
As President Íñiguez shared insights from his latest book, Dante in the Workplace: How Leaders Can Avoid the Seven Deadly Sins, the conversation served as a powerful reminder that education extends far beyond the classroom. It is, at its essence, a journey of becoming responsible global citizens—individuals who lead not only with intellect but with purpose and compassion.
During the event, the new IE Foundation Fellows Student Board was also introduced. This group of dedicated Fellows will lead community initiatives throughout the year, nurturing collaboration and mutual support. Their mission is to strengthen peer connections, foster shared learning, and embody IE Foundation’s philosophy of “Talent Taking Care of Talent.”
Today, the IE Foundation Fellows community—now comprising more than 2,300 students and alumni—stands as a powerful global network of scholarship recipients united by their drive to create positive impact within and beyond IE. Through the Foundation’s diverse initiatives, Fellows gain access to transformative learning experiences and opportunities that help turn potential into purpose.
The Welcome Event was more than a gathering; it was a reaffirmation of IE Foundation’s ongoing commitment to nurturing a new generation of leaders—ambassadors of impact who will go on to shape organizations, transform communities, and build a more inclusive and sustainable future.
To all our Fellows: this is your moment. Embrace it, learn from one another, and continue to lead with purpose.
