Meet the IE Brown Executive MBA faculty

4 min read

The IE Brown Executive MBA is more than just an academic program. It’s a transformational experience designed for reflective leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers who understand that business success must be intertwined with social responsibility, global awareness and human impact.

Offered jointly by IE Business School and Brown University, the program is a 15-month journey that combines the best of an Ivy League education with the approach of a top-ranked business school. Participants learn to lead with insight, integrity and imagination through a dynamic mix of online coursework, residential periods on both sides of the Atlantic and a highly global peer cohort.

But the driving force behind the IE Brown Executive MBA’s success is its faculty. This team of globally recognized educators, innovators and thought leaders bring deep knowledge and real-world expertise into the classroom. Together, they ensure business principles are just as important as critical thinking, ethical leadership and an understanding of social good.

What makes the IE Brown Executive MBA faculty stand out?

The faculty for this program is drawn from both IE Business School and Brown University. Both institutions are known for their rigor, innovation and global outlook. They represent over 10 nationalities and have taught or worked across five continents, offering participants experience beyond theory.

From startups to boardrooms, from public policy to private equity, these professors bring a range of backgrounds to the table. Many have held roles as CEOs, CFOs, political leaders, founders, policy advisors and strategic consultants for major global organizations like Microsoft, Nike, Morgan Stanley, the United Nations and Real Madrid.

This means that in every module, you’re learning from faculty who’ve been where you want to go. That could mean leading companies, launching innovations and influencing policy action. Your professors understand firsthand what it takes to succeed in a wide variety of industries and sectors.

This diversity of experience translates into a learning environment where business fundamentals accompany questions of purpose, impact and ethics. The result? A program that not only advances your career but also sharpens your ability to lead meaningfully in an interconnected world.

A truly interdisciplinary experience

The IE Brown Executive MBA is tailored for ambitious leaders who want more than a traditional business education. That’s why its faculty brings together disciplines that don’t often intersect: business strategy and anthropology, finance and public policy, entrepreneurship and ethics.

Dr. Sandra Comas, for instance, teaches leadership strategy through the lens of the humanities and storytelling, drawing on her experience managing billion-dollar portfolios and teaching at institutions like Yale and Stanford. She finds inspiration in art that she translates to teaching and to business: “In the canvas we discover images, stories and histories that resonate deeply, illustrating each person’s experience with—and opportunity for—leadership.”

Meanwhile, Patricia Gabaldón Quiñones connects economic analysis with gender equity and sustainability. Using multimedia tools and partnerships with international organizations, she equips participants to think holistically about value creation and social progress. 

From leadership psychology to global economics, this program will prepare you for the complexity of today’s challenges.

Meet the IE Brown Executive MBA faculty

Among our standout faculty is Paula Almansa, whose career spans high-stakes mergers at Merrill Lynch and startup co-founding in the tech and coworking sectors. She brings unmatched experience and real-world insight. “The classroom is an inspiring place to share, debate, feel, experiment and ultimately, learn with passion and curiosity,” says Almansa.

Similarly, professor Jason Harry combines a PhD in engineering with startup experience in medtech to inspire and mentor students in entrepreneurship. He previously led Brown’s Breakthrough Lab and continues to empower aspiring founders to turn innovation into successful ventures.

Another innovation trailblazer, Balvinder Powar, draws on his experience across industries like aerospace, edtech and diplomacy to teach his unique blend of teamwork and change management. Commenting on his leadership and teaching style, he highlights the importance of empathy: “This is essential in life and business as it creates a positive environment, which makes people feel valued and increases morale.” 

Our faculty also shows the importance of centering diverse voices. Now the founder and CEO of his own multi-services DEI firm, Rainbow Disruption, professor Jarvis Sam brings his corporate experience at Nike, Snapchat and Google to every class. But his impact reaches far beyond the lecture hall as he champions inclusion in both corporate and educational spaces. In his own words, “DEI isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a mandate. A framework. A commitment.”

How does the faculty shape the student experience?

Our faculty are known not only for their academic credentials, but also for their immersive, student-centered teaching styles. Jill Waymire Paine, for example, merges her research on leadership communication with decades of consulting know-how to create learning experiences that are both participatory and hands-on. “It’s a humbling honor to teach leadership to such remarkable global leaders who are making an ever-growing worldwide impact,” she says.

Technologist and strategist Yasalde Jiménez is another example of how faculty bridge business and education. At Microsoft, he advises higher education institutions on their digital strategies, while in the IE Brown Executive MBA classroom, he helps professionals rethink how technology shapes decision-making and performance.

But technology isn’t the only thing powering today’s businesses. Cristina Simón, a psychologist with a background in organizational behavior and human capital, helps participants understand what drives people and teams. Her past role as an embedded scholar with Inditex (Zara) exemplifies the fusion of academic rigor and practical relevance that defines this faculty.

This is just a brief snapshot of our program faculty, but one thing is clear. Our professors have unique professional insights from years of experience in leadership. This allows participants to gain the holistic perspective and practical skillset to thrive in the business world.

A faculty that redefines executive education

The IE Brown Executive MBA is more than an elite degree; it is a transformational journey made possible by a faculty of global experts committed to shaping the future of business leadership. These professors don’t just teach business—they challenge assumptions, explore human impact and equip you to drive change.

So, if you’re a mid-career professional, senior leader or entrepreneur looking for a program that blends intellectual rigor, real-world application and global purpose, the IE Brown Executive MBA offers a rare opportunity to learn from those at the forefront of innovation.