About us
Mission
Mission
Vision
We aim to be the drive behind IE University by leveraging the strengths of each of its constituent Schools to create new projects, initiatives and partnerships. Through these endeavors, we can foster the growth of the four pillars of IE University’s DNA: technological innovation, an entrepreneurial character, the humanities and diversity.
Our Primary Goals
Leadership Team
The RECTOR
Manuel Muñiz
MANUEL MUÑIZ is the Rector of IE University in Madrid and a Professor of Practice of International Relations. As Rector, he leads the formulation and implementation of the institution’s strategic vision, strengthens IE’s research ecosystem, and oversees its international expansion, including the development of global academic and corporate partnerships. He also serves as Chair of the Board of IE New York College, a U.S. higher education institution located in Manhattan and a cornerstone of IE’s global university project.
From 2017 to 2025, Dr. Muñiz served as Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, where he enhanced the school’s research and teaching capabilities in public policy, international political economy, and international relations, consolidating IE’s reputation as an academic leader in these fields.
In 2023, he was elected President of APSIA, the association that brings together the world’s leading schools of diplomacy and public policy, becoming the first Spaniard to hold this position. That same year, he was appointed Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institution.
Between 2020 and 2021, he served as Secretary of State for Global Spain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, where he led the areas of Strategic Foresight, Economic Diplomacy, and Communications, and coordinated the drafting of the 2021–2024 Foreign Action Strategy. He also oversaw the development of the National Strategy on Technology and Global Order, which laid the foundations of Spain’s technology diplomacy. In addition, he was responsible for Spain’s 2020 presidency of the OECD.
Prior to his time in government, Dr. Muñiz worked at Harvard University, where he directed (2015–2017) the Transatlantic Relations Program and later served as Senior Associate and co-founder of the Project on Europe and the Transatlantic Relationship at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs (2017–2020).
Dr. Muñiz holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from the Complutense University of Madrid; a Master’s in Financial Markets from the IEB; a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government; and a DPhil (PhD) in International Relations from the University of Oxford.
OFFICE OF THE RECTOR
AITZIBER ONAINDIA
Director
Aitziber Onaindia Riesco holds an Executive MBA from IE Business School, one of the world’s top academic institutions and the first school founded by IE in 1973.
She is the Director at IE University’s Office of the Rector. In this role, she plays a key part in ensuring the smooth operation of strategic meetings, critical protocol procedures, high-level event planning, business trips, partnerships, and agenda-setting efforts involving the IE´s Office of the Rector. She is responsible for the strategic planning and coordination of the Office of the Rector, overseeing strategy implementation and the day-to-day management of the Office. Her responsibilities include coordinating tasks among team members, ensuring the implementation of guidelines and policies, monitoring operations, and maintaining overall responsibility for the Office of the Rector.
Aitziber has 30 years of experience at IE, where she has held roles in the Admissions & Marketing Department, the IE School of Arts & Humanities, the IE School of International Relations, and, most recently, the IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs.
Vice rectors
Jaime de Aguinaga
Vice Rector for Strategy, Coordination, and Institutional Affairs
Jaime de Aguinaga assists IE University’s governing bodies in shaping and executing its medium- and long-term strategies. Additionally, Aguinaga is responsible for establishing and enhancing strategic partnerships, including those with the United Nations.
María Eugenia Marín
Vice Rector for Global Academic Alliances and Partnerships
María Eugenia focuses on strengthening the portfolio of academic partnerships across all IE schools and plays a key role in the expansion of academic global alliances. Marín has over 30 years of experience in international relations and is the former General Director of International Relations at IE University.
Juan Santaló
Vice Rector of Faculty & Research
Santaló expands IE’s policy of attracting top scientific talent from leading global institutions. In the last three years, more than 70 full-time faculty members have joined IE University, making it one of the fastest-growing research centers worldwide. Under Professor Santaló’s leadership, IE University advanced several key pillars of its strategic vision: securing research funding from public and private sources, strengthening faculty research output and social impact, and leveraging international partnerships.
Marta perez lidón
Vice Rector for Education and Student Experience
Marta Pérez leads institution-wide strategies in pedagogical innovation, curricular design, and academic quality. Pérez oversees cross-school coordination and drives evidence-based practices that strengthen program coherence, student engagement, and learning outcomes at IE University. Her leadership reinforces a rigorous, learner-centered, and globally aligned educational model.
