This second edition's activities took place from May 13 to 17 and included book presentations, conferences, and discussion panels.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The second edition of EGADE Action Week, organized by EGADE Business School—Tecnológico de Monterrey, was a resounding success. It fulfilled its purpose of inspiring the community to embrace sustainability as a fundamental pillar in the development of businesses that make a positive impact.

The activities, which took place from May 13 to 17, targeted EGADE Business School students, graduates, and professors, as well as leaders and members of various sectors and industries.

FRUGAL INNOVATION

The week started with the presentation of the book Haz más con menos: Los 6 principios de innovación frugal (Do More With Less: The 6 Principles of Frugal Innovation), co-written by Cristian Granados and Felipe Symmes, EGADE Business School professors.

The academics highlighted how frugal innovation enables organizations to develop high-quality, sustainable, and affordable solutions.

PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP

Melissa Berman, founding president and former CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, delivered the keynote address “Philanthropic leadership for the 21st century,” underscoring the need to build trust as one of the main challenges for philanthropy worldwide.

The panel “New trends in strategic social-impact philanthropy in Latin America” was also presented, with the participation of Lorena Guillé-Laris, director of FEMSA Foundation; Magdalena Aninat, director of the Enterprise and Society Center at the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) Business School); Rodrigo Villar, associate researcher at the UAI CIESC and CEFIS; and Luciana Manfredi, professor at EGADE Business School.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES 

The presentation of the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School was yet another highlight of EGADE Action Week.

Urs Jäger, CEO of VIVA Idea, emphasized the urgency of integrating sustainable approaches into the education of future business leaders and proposed a model that combines high-level research with practical applications.

The event included a panel of experts, including Felipe Symmes, professor and leader of the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School; Alejandra Rivero, Director of Sustainability and Social Responsibility at Banregio; and Gabriel Rivera, CEO of Altitud.

ABUNDANCE CAPITALISM

Boyd Cohen, EGADE Business School professor, presented his book Abundance Capitalism.

The scholar explained that the central concept of his book is based on the convergence of exponential technologies with sustainable and regenerative business practices, seeking to achieve inclusive prosperity for people and the planet.

ACTION BREAKS

Throughout the week, the students experienced Action Breaks during their class recesses at the EGADE Business School sites in Monterrey, Santa Fe, Guadalajara, and Querétaro.

These activities were designed to encourage reflection on sustainable development, and they were conducted in collaboration with experts from Dilo en señas, Maoli, Industria Circular MX, Archer Integrated Risk Management, and Rincón Verde.

VOLUNTEER DAY

In an environment of learning and collaboration, the EGADE Volunteer Day welcomed over 60 students from the technical high school CBTIS 99.

More than 50 women and men volunteers from the EGADE community, including professors, collaborators, and students, devoted their time to engaging young people in a series of activities and challenges focused on the development of leadership and teamwork skills, reinforcing the school’s commitment to social responsibility and education.

CSO PROFESSIONALIZATION

EGADE Action Week also saw the launch of the second edition of the Program for the Professionalization of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), organized in collaboration with the Nuevo León State Ministry of Equality and Inclusion.

This generation is made up of 28 leaders from 18 organizations that serve different sectors, such as social welfare, health, education, and the environment.

EGADE Action Week 2024 concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear vision of how education and collaboration can serve as catalysts for positive change. This demonstrated the vital role of EGADE Business School in preparing future leaders committed to sustainability and innovation.

Participants include more than 50 women and men volunteers from the EGADE community, including professors, collaborators and students.

By JOSÉ ANGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

In an environment of learning and collaboration, the EGADE Volunteer Day, part of EGADE Action Week 2024, welcomed over 60 students from the technical high school CBTIS 99, in Monterrey.

More than 50 women and men volunteers from the EGADE community, including professors, collaborators and students, devoted their time to engaging the visitors in educational activities.

Horacio Arredondo, dean of EGADE Business School—Tecnológico de Monterrey, welcomed the young people and stressed the importance of the day as an opportunity to foster their integration and skills development.

During the day, the high school students faced challenges designed to nurture key competencies in five areas: teamwork, communication, resilience, self-knowledge and creativity.

Each area was addressed through interactive exercises that challenged students to overcome obstacles and work together toward common goals, preparing them for future academic and professional challenges.

In this way, the EGADE Volunteer Day activities helped to reinforce essential practical skills and foster a spirit of leadership and collaboration among the participants.

Horacio Arredondo participates in a panel during a meeting of deans and directors organized by international accrediting bodies in the Hungarian capital.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Horacio Arredondo, Dean of EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey, made a notable contribution during the 2024 AMBA & BGA Global Deans and Directors Conference in Budapest, Hungary.

Arredondo was one of the speakers on the panel "Creating Change for Good: Business Schools and Their Responsibility for a Better Global Future."

Other panelists included Abu Bakar Hassan, Dean of Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (Malaysia); Mari Iizuka, Vice Dean and Director of the Global Business and Management Studies Program at Doshisha Business School (Japan); Sarah Kelly, Leader of the Graduate School of Business at Queensland University of Technology (Australia); and Wendy Loretto, Professor of Organizational Behavior at University of Edinburgh Business School (Scotland).

In his address, Arredondo emphasized the importance of innovation and sustainability in educational programs to develop leaders capable of addressing current challenges.

"It was an honor to be part of the AMBA & BGA Global Conference in Budapest and to share EGADE Business School's sustainability vision and strategy alongside fellow leaders in business education," stated the Dean.

The AMBA & BGA Global Deans and Directors Conference is an annual event that brings together leaders from business schools around the world to exchange ideas on trends, challenges, and opportunities in business education.

AMBA (Association of MBAs) and BGA (Business Graduates Association) are organizations dedicated to the accreditation and improvement of business education globally. They promote standards of excellence and foster innovation in MBA and other graduate business programs.

This edition of the conference, held from May 12 to 14 in the Hungarian capital, underscored the need for business schools to take an active role in solving global problems, reinforcing their commitment to training responsible and ethical leaders.

The professor calls for a change from a scarcity to an abundance mindset.

By JOSÉ ANGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Boyd Cohen, a research professor at EGADE Business School—Tecnológico de Monterrey—presented his book Abundance Capitalism during EGADE Action Week 2024.

The scholar explained that the concept of “Abundance Capitalism” is based on the convergence of exponential technologies with sustainable and regenerative business practices, seeking to achieve inclusive prosperity for people and the planet.  

One of the central points of his presentation, which took place on May 16 at the Monterrey site of EGADE Business School, was the need to change from a scarcity to an abundance mindset.

Cohen argued that, instead of viewing resources as limited, we should take advantage of technological innovations and sustainable practices to create a future in which prosperity and sustainability coexist.

To illustrate his points, the professor highlighted examples of sustainable projects in Copenhagen, Singapore, and Vancouver.

He said that in Copenhagen, the Amager Resource Center (ARC) can convert more than 400 thousand tons of waste into clean energy for the city in a year and also has a ski slope and climbing wall, among many other recreational facilities.

Singapore, he added, has developed a comprehensive water management strategy (Four National Taps) that includes rainwater catchment, grey and black water reuse, and desalination. He commented that this approach has not only solved the water problem of this city-state but has also produced an ecosystem of more than 200 companies and 25 research centers from the water sector, generating over 14 thousand jobs.

In addition, he stated, the Vancouver Olympic Villa development has converted a tract of industrial land into a sustainable community, with green buildings and affordable housing.

"The Vancouver project is a model of how cities can be sustainable and inclusive, offering housing for low-income individuals in the heart of the city," he said.

Cohen ended his presentation with an optimistic message, emphasizing that innovation and collaboration can lead us toward a future where sustainability and prosperity are available to all.

“We can transform our cities and economies by adopting new technologies and regenerative business models. The change to an abundance economy is possible if we work together," he concluded.

Cohen has also published three books, Post-Capitalist Entrepreneurship: Startups for the 99%, The Emergence of the Urban Entrepreneur, and Climate Capitalism: Capitalism in the Age of Climate Change, as well as multiple academic and popular articles, and has created several companies in the context of smart cities and sustainability.

His research has been published in Fast Company and CoinDesk, and he has numerous publications on smart cities. His "Smart Cities Wheel" model has been used by governments across the world to evaluate, classify, and plan their transition towards a future with net zero emissions.

He recently participated in the Business Territory podcast, episode 160 – Abundance Mindset and ESG for a Sustainable Future.

The aim is to innovate in action research methodologies to foster sustainable development in Latin America.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

On May 15, EGADE Business School—Tecnológico de Monterrey and VIVA Idea presented the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures during the second edition of EGADE Action Week, marking a renewed commitment to sustainability and innovation in business education.

This event underscored the critical role of academia in redefining business towards a positive, lasting impact in Latin America.

Osmar Zavaleta, associate dean of Research at the Undergraduate Business School and EGADE Business School—Tecnológico de Monterrey, highlighted the importance of this strategic collaboration with VIVA Idea, which focuses on innovating action research methodologies to promote sustainable development in the region.

Zavaleta explained that the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School is aligned with the school's purpose: “To rethink the future of business to have a positive impact on the sustainable development of Latin America.”

Urs Jäger, CEO of VIVA Idea, emphasized the urgency of integrating sustainable approaches into the education of future business leaders and proposed a model that combines high-level research with practical applications.

“If we want to see the future, we need to start preparing today," he commented, inviting people to implement innovative strategies through active collaboration.

The event included an expert panel, moderated by Felipe Symmes, professor and leader of the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School, and with the participation of Alejandra Rivero, director of Sustainability and Social Responsibility at Banregio, and Gabriel Rivera, CEO of Altitude.

The panelists discussed how academia and business practices can interconnect to expand their social and environmental impact.

Symmes stressed the importance of integrating impact-oriented research into academic programs.

For her part, Rivero discussed how banks can contribute to women’s financial inclusion and to measuring the social impact of their products and services.

She also pointed out how training and methodologies developed by international organizations have been key in measuring the social impact of banking practices.

“The UN has developed specific methodologies for banks, which help us understand how to measure the impact we are having on our clients,” the director stated, emphasizing the need for greater collaboration between academia and banking.

Meanwhile, Rivera shared his background as a social entrepreneur and the challenges he has faced when integrating sustainable and social business concepts.

The entrepreneur described how a lack of familiarity with social entrepreneurship initially complicated his interactions with academia and how specialized programs have been pivotal for his development.

The presentation of the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School drew attention to the importance of collaboration between academia and the business sector to promote practical and innovative solutions that address current social and environmental challenges.

A conference and panel with philanthropy leaders and experts took place at EGADE Business School in Monterrey.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

As part of the second edition of EGADE Action Week, philanthropy leaders and experts gathered on May 14 in Monterrey to discuss the future and transformation of philanthropic initiatives in the 21st century.

Melissa Berman, recognized internationally for her leadership in philanthropy, delivered the keynote address, which was followed by a panel discussion with prominent sector specialists.

In his welcome message, broadcast live from Budapest, Hungary, Horacio Arredondo, dean of EGADE Business School - Tecnológico de Monterrey, stressed the importance of this event as a vital space to inspire leaders and promote the adoption of responsible business practices that will generate a positive, sustainable impact on society and the environment.

“Our EGADE Action Week is part of our strategy to invite the community, inside and outside the classroom, to participate, generating learning and collaboration opportunities from a variety of perspectives,” the Dean said, underscoring the transformational and impact mission of the week of activities.  

PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP

In her keynote address, “Philanthropic Leadership for the 21st Century,” Berman explored the contemporary landscape of global philanthropy, highlighting the opportunities and challenges for leadership in this sector.

“There is a lack of trust. So the challenge for philanthropic leadership in the 21st century is to build the trust that will allow philanthropy to fulfill its potential,” she commented.

The former CEO and founding president of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors explained that 80% of donations are centered on just 15% of organizations. Many donors prefer to invest in entities with well-established reputations to minimize risks and protect their own image. She believes that this trend limits the potential of the philanthropy sector.

She also discussed how emerging trends, such as the increase in global awareness and reach, the use of new tools and approaches, and a deeper commitment by donors, are remodeling philanthropy.  

Berman emphasized how philanthropic leadership can foster systemic change by creating more knowledge resources, improving communication between sectors, and strengthening NGOs.

She also highlighted the pivotal role of university centers in fomenting rigorous and independent research, connecting scholars from different fields, and serving as a reliable bridge between theory and practice.

PERSPECTIVES FROM ACADEMIA AND PRACTICE

The panel “New Trends in Strategic Social-Impact Philanthropy in Latin America” enjoyed the participation of Lorena Guillé-Laris, director of FEMSA Foundation; Magdalena Aninat, director of the Enterprise and Society Center at the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) Business School; and Rodrigo Villar, associate researcher at the UAI CIESC and CEFIS. Luciana Manfredi, a research professor at EGADE Business School, served as the moderator.

Aninat explained how universities in Latin America can support philanthropy through research and informed dialogue, thereby driving collaboration and trust within civil society.

For his part, Villar complemented this vision with examples of how knowledge production in universities can shape and acknowledge the third sector, thus promoting a culture of active, committed philanthropy.

Based on her experience at the FEMSA Foundation, Guillé-Laris focused on the cruciality of collaboration between academia, civil society, and the private sector in achieving long-term philanthropic goals. She highlighted the importance of combining immediate, tangible actions with far-reaching, evidence-based, and science-based strategies to address systemic problems.

Manfredi closed the panel by highlighting the need for collaboration and inclusion to tackle complex social challenges, stressing that “modern philanthropy must be agile, informed and collaborative, working hand in hand with each and every sector to drive real and sustainable change in society.”

The panel’s collective vision reflects a renewed commitment to philanthropy that not only contributes financially but also actively participates in building solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time.

The event concluded with a call to action for philanthropy leaders to use innovative and collaborative approaches to build a fairer, more equitable future, emphasizing the need for collaboration and adaptation to the contemporary challenges of global philanthropy.

The second edition of EGADE Action Week started on May 13 and ended on May 17, offering a variety of activities in Monterrey, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Querétaro, with the purpose of inspiring and preparing business leaders and the community to embrace sustainability as a fundamental pillar in the development of successful businesses.

Cristian Granados and Felipe Symmes present their new book during the second edition of EGADE Action Week.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Frugal innovation can be key to addressing challenges such as poverty and climate change in Latin America, as explained by Cristian Granados and Felipe Symmes, research professors at EGADE Business School - Tecnológico de Monterrey, during the presentation of their book, Haz más con menos: Los 6 principios de innovación frugal (Do More With Less: the 6 Principles of Frugal Innovation).

The event took place on May 13 at the Hotel W in Polanco, Mexico City, where the coauthors described how the approach addressed in their book makes it possible to develop sustainable, high-quality, and affordable solutions.

“The approach consists of doing more with less, simplifying and acting with flexibility,” they specified during the presentation that formed part of the second edition of EGADE Action Week.

Granados, coauthor and academic, explained that the term ‘mexicanadas’ (a typical Mexican way of doing things) reflects a creative adaptation to specific problems, resulting in genuinely innovative solutions that have demonstrated their effectiveness in limited-resource contexts.

“This is an example of frugal innovation that we can observe in collaboration, creativity, and circular economy practices throughout the region,” he added.

The book, published by Ediciones Paidós, presents practical examples and ideas that follow six key principles for innovation in Latin America, including the creation of sustainable solutions and the co-creation of consumer value.

“Frugal innovation not only addresses the needs at the base of the pyramid, but it also comprises a disruptive strategy that can gradually replace market leaders with simple, affordable solutions,” Granados stated.

Symmes, coauthor and leader of the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School, commented on the institution's role in inspiring companies to create solutions better adapted to Latin America's local realities rather than importing models that have not solved crucial problems such as poverty and climate change.

Prominent guests who attended the event included Ewelina Rodriguez Leal, Director of Innovation at Grupo Salinas, and Andre Luiz Soresini, General Director of Vaccines for Mexico at Sanofi, who enriched the discussion with their perspectives and experiences in the field of corporate innovation.

Activities range from conferences and workshops to lectures and book presentations, all designed to promote the adoption of responsible and sustainable business practices.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey is gearing up for the second edition of EGADE Action Week, which will be held from May 13 to 17, aiming to inspire and raise awareness among business leaders and the community about the importance of transforming business for sustainable impact.

In 2024, the initiative will expand with various activities, including virtual formats, in Monterrey, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Querétaro.

The agenda for EGADE Action Week is divided into four sections: Action Breaks, exclusive to EGADE Business School students; Action Spaces, open to the community; Action Voices, targeted at EGADE alumni; and Action Day, exclusively for EGADE Business School students, professors, and collaborators.

All activities are designed to enrich participants with innovative ideas and practical, effective strategies to impact the business world positively. Highlights include:

On May 13, in Mexico City, the book "Do More With Less: The 6 Principles of Frugal Innovation" will be presented by EGADE Business School professors Felipe Symmes and Cristian Granados, who co-authored the work.

On May 14, in Monterrey, the keynote conference "Philanthropy in the 21st Century: Global and Latin American Perspectives" will be delivered by Melissa Berman, Founding President and former CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, followed by the panel "New Trends in Strategic Philanthropy for Social Impact in Latin America" featuring Lorena Guillé-Laris, Executive Director of Fundación FEMSA; Magdalena Aninat, Director of the Business and Society Center at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez Business School (UAI); Rodrigo Villar, Associate Researcher at CIESC and CEFIS at UAI, and moderated by Luciana Manfredi, Research Professor at EGADE Business School.

On May 15, in Monterrey, the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Sustainable Futures Chair will be presented, led by Urs Jäger, CEO of VIVA Idea, Felipe Symmes, research professor and chair leader at EGADE Business School, and a panel of experts.

On May 16, in Monterrey, the book "Abundance Capitalism" will be presented by its author, Boyd Cohen, a professor at EGADE Business School.

On May 17, in Monterrey, the EGADE Volunteer Day will take place, where EGADE Business School students, professors, and staff will be able to empower CBTIS students by providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to become change agents in their communities.

Additionally, from May 13 to 17, during EGADE Business School's class breaks in Monterrey, Santa Fe, Guadalajara, and Querétaro, the Action Breaks will be held with workshops designed to encourage students to reflect on sustainable development in collaboration with experts from Dilo en señas, Maoli, Industria Circular MX, Archer Integrated Risk Management, and Rincón Verde.

Visit egadeactionweek.com for more details on the complete agenda for EGADE Action Week 2024 and to register for the different activities.

The first edition of EGADE Action Week, held in April 2023, proved its relevance by winning the Best CSR and Sustainability Initiative award at the AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards 2024, highlighting EGADE Business School's commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible business practices globally.