Kofi Appenteng and Fernando Barnuevo awarded IE University Medal for their commitment to responsible leadership, diversity, and sustainability

Internationally renowned business leaders Kofi Appenteng and Fernando Barnuevo, both members of IE University's International Advisory Board (IAB), have been honored with the IE University Medal for their commitment to responsible, sustainable, and diverse leadership. The presentation of the medals took place on Friday within the framework of the IAB's annual meeting, which was also attended by Pablo Isla, Chairman of the IAB.

Previous recipients of the medal include former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Financial Times CEO John Ridding, and former US Ambassador to Spain James Costos, among others.

Presenting the medals, IE University President Santiago Íñiguez de Onzoño highlighted the humanist profile and contribution of Appenteng and Barnuevo in boosting the institution's presence in the United States and Africa.

“This award recognizes much more than the work of Kofi Appenteng and Fernando Barnuevo in the areas of business and philanthropy. We recognize the vocation, vision, and commitment of two humanist and innovative leaders, passionate about knowledge and sharing it throughout their professional careers."
Santiago Íñiguez de Onzoño, IE University President

Receiving his award, Kofi Appenteng said: "I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from IE University, a truly exceptional, global, enterprising, and committed institution that has always maintained its purpose of promoting positive change through education, research, and innovation. My experience with IE over the past 24 years is something I treasure and I hope to continue to contributing toward.”

Fernando Barnuevo added: "At IE University, I learned not to be afraid of rejection or failure, understanding that success is always a team effort. IE's commitment to humanism as the key to business education taught me that pride is the enemy of arrogance, confidence is the enemy of complacency, and humility is the essence of leadership. IE University graduates, who hold business leadership positions in 165 countries, are a global force for innovation and positive change through cultural diversity. We are united by shared values of social commitment, business excellence and respect for the environment. For me, it will always be an honour to represent you and offer you the greatest support.”

Kofi Appenteng and Fernando Barnuevo: two outstanding careers

Kofi Appenteng is President of the Africa-America Institute (AAI), founded in 1953 with the mission of promoting engagement between Africa and the Americas through education, training and dialogue. With 30 years international experience in the legal and investment banking world, Appenteng has been actively involved in numerous civil society organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the International Advisory Board of IE University, Harlem Village Academies, and Poets & Writers Inc. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ford Foundation, the International Center for Transitional Justice, and the New York Community Service Society. In recognition of his work in business and philanthropy, the Carnegie Corporation named him a Great American Immigrant in 2013.

Born in Ghana, Appenteng was educated in England and at the Wesleyan University in the United States where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, the Butterfield Award for character, leadership and intellectual commitment, going on to earn a Juris Doctor from Columbia University. Appenteng began his career as a corporate lawyer and, in 1994, became the first black African to become a partner in a major New York City law firm.

Fernando Barnuevo Sebastián de Erice is Managing Partner and Founder of Big Blue Holding, a privately owned real estate investment group with a presence in Spain and the United States. He is a senior advisor to Perella Weinberg Partners, a leading independent investment bank in the United States.  He has more than 30 years of professional career in investment banking, asset management, private banking and technology.  Barnuevo worked at JPMorgan in San Francisco and New York (1985-2004), where he held senior management positions such as President of Leadership at JPMorgan Chase. Barnuevo has been President of the IE Fund and member of the International Council and President of Global Alumni at IE University. He is also a member of the Private Banking Advisory Board of La Caixa. Born in Madrid in 1962, Barnuevo holds a law degree from the Complutense University and an International MBA from IE University. He regularly participates in training programs at NYU School of Professional Studies and IE University with a focus on technology, humanities, philosophy, and art.

IE University's International Advisory Board is comprised of global leaders from the institutional, academic, and business worlds with experience in the public and private sectors. IE University's International Governing Council advises IE University's senior management to fulfill the institution's purpose, promote its main strategic lines and key projects. Each year, IE University trains more than 9,000 students from 140 countries in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and executive education programs at IE Business School, IE School of Science and Technology, IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, IE Law School, and IE School of Architecture and Design.