IE Alumni Real Estate Club Celebrates 15th Anniversary

The IE Alumni Real Estate Club marked its 15th anniversary last week with an exclusive celebration at La Catorce restaurant in Gran Vía, bringing together alumni professionals who have shaped Spain's real estate sector over the past decade and a half.

The milestone event, attended by over 130 alumni and advisory committee members, featured a cocktail dinner, followed by keynote speeches, a video screening, and a moving ceremony honoring past club presidents.

“We enjoyed a very special evening, attended by some of the most prominent figures in our sector,” said Raquel Antoñanzas, president of the IE Alumni Real Estate Club, “We would like to express our gratitude to the entire IE team for their ongoing support, as well as to our Advisory Committee, whose presence and contributions once again elevated the professional level of the gathering, making it a truly unique experience.” 

Sara Lindgren, Head of IE Global Alumni Relations, applauded the effort the club had invested in creating a meaningful network.

“We are here to celebrate a major milestone: 15 years of an incredible club,” said Lindgren, “the IE Alumni Real Estate Club stands out for two key reasons: the outstanding quality of its events and the way it brings people together to connect and enjoy. A heartfelt thank you to the board members for making it all possible.” 

Today, the IE Alumni Real Estate Club has more than 2,000 members and a key presence in the industry. Nevertheless, the dinner’s atmosphere brimmed with warmth, laughter, and fond memories, revealing a tight-knit community at the club’s soul.

For Tim Nalder, an asset management professor who has been teaching at IE for 20 years and collaborating with the club for 4-5 years, the anniversary represents more than just a celebration.  

“The IE Alumni Real Estate Club is one of the strongest assets IE has created,” said Nalder, “For me it's a source of pride to be still participating and contributing; after 15 years, there are many people I have come across tonight who were my old students.” 

For Beatriz Aranda and Luis González, this annual Summer dinner is also the anniversary of the first time they met. The IE Business School alumni are now engaged to be married; fondly recalling a similar evening two years ago, never imagining how far the community bond of the IE Alumni Real Estate Club would take them.

The club's origins trace back to the challenging period following Spain's real estate crisis in 2008. Sancho España, an Executive MBA graduate from 2011, recalled his vision for the club at that time. 

"I feel overwhelmed, happy," España said. "For me, the club was something that had to exist and had to grow, and I am thrilled to see how far we have come despite the initial struggles to gain traction in the midst of Spain’s real estate crisis."

Miguel Ángel Quiroga, MRICS Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor and MBA and Programa Superior de Dirección de Empresas Inmobiliarias alumni, views the club as more than a networking organization.  

“The club today is a think tank, and in the future it will be a creator of professionals,” said Quiroga, “as the Real Estate sector continues to professionalize, IE alumni in the Real Estate club stand you as well-trained professionals who are contributing greatly to the development of the industry.”

Over the past 15 years, the club has launched a multitude of events that have enriched debate and connections among professionals. Flagship initiatives like the Sofá Inmobiliario, which provides opportunities to meet key industry figures, or the annual Sector Trends Report attest to their seniority and contribution to the Real Estate sector.  

As Spain's real estate sector continues to evolve, the IE Alumni Real Estate Club's 15-year journey reflects a legacy of hard work from alumni, maintaining connections that extend far beyond their time as students.

“We must highlight one of the most emotional moments of the evening: the recognition of our current president, Raquel, who will soon conclude a period of intense work and dedication,” said Adolfo Blázquez, future president of the club, “alongside Gema, she has been instrumental in bringing the Club to the high level we enjoy today. It was a moment full of gratitude and emotion that will remain in our collective memory.”

IE Global Alumni Relations remains committed to supporting its alumni in their journeys beyond IE and celebrating their achievements, anniversaries, and milestones.