With alumni rising to top roles at companies such as HP, PepsiCo, and Johnson & Johnson, Esade proves that purpose and global impact go hand in hand.
Esade has recently opened a new campus in Madrid.
As companies around the world navigate technological disruptions, demands for corporate accountability, and complex global markets, the profile of the ideal business leader is changing. Today’s executives are expected to do more than deliver results—they must lead with purpose, think globally, and adapt quickly in the face of uncertainty.
This shift is reshaping the expectations placed on business education. Global employers identified problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking as the most valuable skills in graduate management hires—surpassing even traditional technical competencies. This is a clear indication that leadership today is as much about mindset and ethics as it is about metrics.
Among the European business schools behind this shift is Esade Business & Law School, with campuses in Barcelona and Madrid. Known for its international outlook and commitment to value-driven leadership, the school has redefined what it means to prepare students for executive roles. Its programs are designed to impart business knowledge, as well as shape agile, socially conscious leaders who are equipped to turn disruption into opportunity—with lasting impact across industries and societies.
“We are rethinking business education to prepare the next generation of leaders,” says David López, associate dean of the full-time MBA program at Esade. “Our programs blend academic rigor with real-world impact, leveraging emerging technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong ethical foundation. Equipping students with the skills needed to navigate complexity and create meaningful change is paramount.”
This approach aligns with broader global trends. Analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, and leadership are currently the most in-demand skills for the future workforce—underscoring the need for education models that go beyond traditional business training.
The growing emphasis on adaptability and purpose-driven leadership is evident in the careers of Esade alumni, many of whom now hold top positions at multinational corporations. Miquel Colet, CEO, Vibia USA and Canada, and president of Esade Alumni New York Chapter, reflects on the kind of leadership required in today’s business environment. “A business environment of constant disruption needs a team with shared values, vision, and decision-making process and excellent communication in order to be able to react positively to changes,” he says. Colet credits Esade’s approach—including its career support services—for enabling his transition to a U.S.-based executive role.
Esade’s curriculum emphasizes digital transformation, sustainability, and the ethical application of emerging technologies—areas that are now central to strategic leadership. Beyond technical understanding, the school prioritizes developing essential soft skills, such as communication, adaptability, and cross-cultural fluency.
“With a powerful business degree that was obsessively connected with real-life examples and case studies, I left Esade equipped with a broad and deep understanding of the world, not only economically or business-wise but also from a sociological, psychological, and technological point of view,” says Marc Sanz, head of education at Google for Iberia, the Middle East, and Africa.
This global perspective is reflected in Esade’s student body. During the 2023–2024 academic year, international students made up more than 38% of the cohort, representing more than 110 nationalities. Combined with a robust alumni network spanning industries and continents, this diversity enhances Esade’s ability to shape global careers.
Some of the school’s most prominent alumni lead companies at the very top of the corporate world. Joaquin Duato (Johnson & Johnson), Ramon Laguarta (PepsiCo), and Enrique Lores (HP)—CEOs of firms ranked among the Fortune Global 500—are part of a growing list of Esade graduates who exemplify the school’s global, purpose-driven mission.
“Esade graduates leave with a distinctive skillset: We go to the industry with passion for growth, we only seek excellence within an ethical framework, and we’re known for having a great work capacity,” says Albert Janer, managing director at CrossCountry Consulting. Janer adds that the alumni network played a key role in helping him build a transatlantic career.
This global connectivity is further reinforced through experiential learning. From real-world projects in collaboration with institutions such as CERN (arranged through the Challenge Based Innovation-Fusion Point initiative) to modules focused on sustainable innovation, Esade ensures students critically engage with the societal impact of business and technology.
Laura Tapias, vice president of Applicaster for America and Spain and an Esade master of science graduate, describes her experience as life-changing. “It was exactly what I needed: a world-class education with a global perspective, rooted in real business challenges. But the most valuable lesson was the importance of staying connected—professionally and personally.”
From startups to Fortune 500 companies, Esade-trained leaders are helping reshape global business. In a world defined by disruption and complexity, their ability to combine ethics, agility, and strategic vision is not just relevant—it’s essential.
“Thanks to everything I learned at Esade and its connections with top business schools around the world, I ended up doing an exchange program at a top Asia business school that was also transformational,” adds Sanz. “I feel I entered the world one step ahead.”
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