International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge

IWEC Annual Conference · Madrid · Nov. 13-15, 2022

The International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) will hold its 15th Annual Conference in Madrid on Nov. 13-15, 2022. The theme of the 2022 conference is Connecting Women Businesses Globally: The Transformational Power of Women in Business.

A new world of opportunities has arisen following the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities that are emerging across sectors, driven especially by globalization and digitalization, creating new business models and new ways to work.

At IWEC, we know that women’s leadership is key to developing these opportunities and transforming them into value. The transformational power of female leadership is in itself a resource that can and will make an impact on the economy and society.

IWEC this year will bring together in Madrid women entrepreneurs and business owners from all around the world. Participants will combine their knowledge and strengths in an empowered network, in order to overcome challenges and uncover opportunities. Today’s increasingly fast-paced business world requires leadership with vision and strategy, capable of spotting possibilities as they arise.

Our conference this year has been designed to reflect these areas of opportunity while celebrating the talented new award winners who join the IWEC community.

We are also thrilled to propose the Young Talent Program, which consists of parallel academic sessions on day 2 addressed to the daughters and sons of our IWEC community.

IWEC is dedicated to developing a global network of successful women business owners. We bring together female entrepreneurs who are already in the global marketplace and want to expand, as well as those looking to branch out internationally. Headquartered in New York City, we work with approximately 50 international chambers of commerce and women’s business organizations.

Agenda

CaixaBank All in One

18:00 – 20:00 – Introduction by IWEC’S Representative at CaixaBank

Ms. María del Mar Santana, SML Enterprises Commercial Director at CaixaBank Madrid Metropolitana

Welcome Address

Mr. Gonzalo Gortázar, CEO CaixaBank, IWEC Funding partner
Ambassador Ms. Ruth Davis, IWEC Founder
Ms. Inmaculada Riera, Managing Director, Spanish Chamber of Commerce
Prof. José Luis Suárez, Managing Director, IESE in Madrid

IWEC Turns 15: Inspiring Past, Vibrant Present and Promising Future for Women Entrepreneurs

Chair: Ms. Ibukun Awosika, President, IWEC

Ms. Sunita Bajaj, VP Treasurer of IWEC and representative of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Ms. Harjinder Kaur, Vice-President FICCI-Confederation of MSME and board member of FICCI
Ms. Adela Subirana, IWEC Co-Founder from Barcelona Chamber of Commerce

Remarks by the Academic Director

Prof. Pedro Nueno, IESE Business School, Academic Director of the 15^th IWEC Conference

Welcome Cocktail

IESE Madrid

Note: IESE is committed to keeping its campuses safe. You can find information on our COVID-19 response here.

8:30 – 9:00 – Welcome Coffee. Offered by PROSOL, Ms. Rocío Hervella, IWEC Awardee 2018

9:00 – 9:30 – Opening

Ambassador Ms. Ruth Davis, Chair, IWEC
Mr. Josep Lluis Bonet, President Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Host of IWEC Conference 2022
Prof. Pedro Nueno, IESE Business School, Academic Director of the 15^th IWEC Conference

Introduction by IWEC Conference’s Emcee

Ms. Wendy Lieber, CEO, ContentBacon, United States

9:30 – 10:30 – Challenges of Globalization after the Pandemic

Chair: Prof. Pedro Nueno

Ms. Ibukun Awosika, President, IWEC
Mr. Javier Díaz Giménez, IESE Business School
Ms. Regina Llopis, President, AIA Group
Salutation from China: Ms. Yang Lan, Chairwoman, Sun Media

10:30 – 11:00 – Awardees Presentation

Ms. Nancy Ploeger, Exec. Vice President & Secretary, IWEC

11:00 – 11:30 – Coffee Break

11:30 – 12:15 – The ESG Agenda Enlightened by Women

Chair: Prof. Nuria Chinchilla

Ms. Montse Montaner, Global Strategic Expert on Sustainability in the Pharmaceutical Industry

12:15 – 12:45 – Awardees Presentation

Ms. Nancy Ploeger, Exec. Vice President & Secretary, IWEC

12:45 – 14:00 – Networking Lunch by Industry. Offered by MANGO

14:00 – 14:45 – Family Business Changing their World

Chair: Prof. Marta Elvira

Ms. Harjinder Kaur, MD & CEO, Comvision, India
Ms. Rocío Hervella, CEO & Founder Prosol

14:50 – 15:30 – Awardees Presentation and Group Photo

Ms. Nancy Ploeger, Exec. Vice President & Secretary, IWEC

15:30 – 16:30 – Ubuntu Showcase

Introduction

Maria Puig, Executive Director for IWEC 15th Conference.

We are here to share, learn and grow, and return home with a new network of relationships, ideas, and opportunities to continue expanding operations while leaving solid and gentle footprints in our societies.

Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu term meaning “humanity”. It has become a universal expression often translated as I am because we are. At IWEC we adopted is as our claim at the 3 IWEC Conference in Cape Town. And we dared to give the name Ubuntu to enhance these special slots in the agenda. They are conceived around dedicated team rooms booked in advance by country delegates to share info on their companies and their respective industries.

16:30 – Bus Departure to Hotels and Free Evening

Private receptions offered by Embassies. By personal invitation only.

IESE Madrid

Note: IESE is committed to keeping its campuses safe. You can find information on our COVID-19 response here.

8:30 – 9:00 – Welcome Coffee. Offered by PROSOL, Ms. Rocío Hervella, IWEC Awardee 2018

9:00 – 10:00 – Global Economy Outlook: Can a Recession Be Avoided?

Mr. Enric Fernández, Chief Economist, Head of Strategic Planning and Research, CaixaBank
Mr. Rodrigo Orihuela, Bureau Chief, Bloomberg Spain
Prof. Núria Mas, IESE Business School

10:05 – 10:50 – Leading from Adversity (Simultaneous interpretation from Spanish to English will be provided)

Interview by Prof. Santiago Álvarez de Mon

Ms. Teresa Perales, Paralympic Champion, Princess of Asturias Award 2021

10:50 – 11:30 – Ubuntu Showcase

11:30 – 12:30 – Spanish Brunch, offered by MANGO

12:30 – 12:45- Greeting from Dean Heukamp

12:45 – 13:45 Fashion and Sustainability

Chair: Ms. Iria Pérez, Directora, MODA.ES

Ms. Núria Basi. President, Basi Group
Mr. Andrés Fernández, General Manager of Sustainability, Mango

13:45 – 14:45 – Growing Up: Interesting Business Cases

Chair: Prof. Julia Prats

Ms. Merrilee Kick, CEO and Founder BuzzBallz
Ms. Yewande Zaccheaus, Founder and CEO Eventful, Nigeria

15:00 – Departure to Hotel – Free afternoon

19:00 – 22:00 – Gala Dinner at Palacio de Santoña.

Final Words

Ms. Maria Puig, IESE Business School and Executive Diretor for IWEC 15th Conference
Ms. Maria Tosca, Director of Employment, Training and Entrepreneurship, Spanish Chamber of Commerce
Ms. Mª Mar Santana, SML Enterprises Commercial Director at CaixaBank Madrid Metropolitana
Ms. Roser Xalabarder, 3^rd Vice president, Barcelona Chamber of Commerce

Announcements and Closing