The event brought together over 160 students from the EGADE MBA program, which is offered in Monterrey, Santa Fe, Guadalajara, Querétaro, and online.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Over 160 students from the EGADE MBA program gathered on October 25 and 26 in Monterrey for the National EGADE MBA Conference 2024 under the slogan "The new cognitive revolution: The impact of artificial intelligence on society and business."

Students from the Monterrey, Santa Fe, Guadalajara, and Querétaro sites and the online modality congregated at this two-day event that included conferences, panels, visits to the region's companies, teamwork, and networking. 

The welcome address by Horacio Arredondo, dean of EGADE Business School, highlighted the importance of forging strong professional networks and fostering transformative learning among colleagues. It also underlined the event's practical approach, with visits to companies to learn about their artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Eric Porras, national director of MBA Programs, stressed the importance of this meeting as a platform for students to explore the "new cognitive revolution" that is transforming society and business.

The first conference, "Social Impact of Artificial Intelligence," was delivered by Ana Freire, vice dean of Social Impact and Academic Innovation at UPF Barcelona School of Management.

Freire analyzed the differentiation between limited and general artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need to apply critical thinking in its use and illustrating examples of how AI can generate errors in diagnostics or content.

She also addressed the impact of AI on employment, health, and education, highlighting how this technology can personalize diagnostics and improve health treatments.

Freire presented the STOP project, which, in collaboration with platforms such as Meta, uses AI to identify risk patterns in social networks linked to mental health problems. This project has allowed the early detection of at-risk users and their connection with professional help services, showing the potential of AI as a tool that has a positive social impact when used ethically and responsibly.

Afterward, the panel "Relevance and Future of AI in Business" brought together renowned experts, such as Raúl Montalvo, director of EGADE Business School in Guadalajara as the moderator, and panelists Alejandro Correa, former vice-president of Artificial Intelligence at Rappi; Enrique Cortés, director of the Artificial Intelligence Hub at Tecnológico de Monterrey; and José Tam, vice-president of Digital Transformation at Softtek.

The panelists agreed that AI allows companies to adapt and be more efficient, highlighting hyper-personalization and data analysis as key to customer experience.

Enrique Cortés stressed that AI is increasingly being integrated into financial planning, allowing for improved risk and opportunity prediction.

Alejandro Correa explained that analyzing large volumes of data allows for the detection of hidden patterns, improving forecasting in product development.

José Tam then underlined the importance of building open corporate cultures to innovation and integrating AI as an ally in achieving objectives with social and economic impact.

The interactive conference "AI in action: Business Cases and Roadmap for Successful Adoption" was offered by Luis Hernández, Modern Work Specialist, and Marcelino Aranda, AI Technology Specialist at Microsoft.

Together, they presented AI implementation cases in Mexico, such as TECgpt at Tecnológico de Monterrey, a tool that allows students and teachers to personalize learning, and CEMEX Technical Xperts, which assists frontline employees in making operational decisions.

The Microsoft experts shared statistics on the use of AI in the workplace, indicating that although 75% of employees already use AI in their work, challenges persist, such as the balance between routine and creative tasks.

They also presented Microsoft 365 Copilot, a tool to optimize processes and free up time for more strategic activities. They highlighted that AI respects the organization's data while preserving data privacy and security.

In addition, Anna Lahtinen, Senior Researcher at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Finland, spoke about how AI is transforming job skills and salaries in her conference "AI & You: Shaping Careers, Paychecks, and the Future of Work."

Lahtinen reflected on AI's impact on work and the need to develop skills such as critical analysis and communication, which will be essential in an increasingly automated work environment. She raised questions on AI's role in job supervision and its impact on employees' time and tasks.

Finally, the students enjoyed visits to companies, including Alestra, Vivaerobus, Metalsa, Ternium, Qimmco, CEMEX, Frisa, and Xignux Prolec.

This activity, led by Alfonso Ávila, professor from the Department of Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation at EGADE Business School, allowed them to see first-hand how companies integrate emerging technologies and AI into their operations.

Each team presented its findings, thus strengthening practical learning and highlighting AI's potential to transform the industry and improve business competitiveness.

In conclusion, the EGADE MBA National Conference 2024 made it clear that AI is a powerful tool for operational optimization and strategic growth, redefining the concept of business and its social impact.

The academic associate dean of EGADE Business School will be representing Latin America until 2027.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Eva Guerra, academic associate dean of EGADE Business School - Tecnológico de Monterrey, was appointed as a new member of the Steering Committee of the Latin American Council of Management Schools (CLADEA), during the Ordinary Assembly of Members, held on October 18 within the framework of the 59th CLADEA International Conference 2024 in Arequipa, Peru.

During the event, elections were held to select two new representatives for Latin America, one representative from outside the region and the President-Elect of the Steering Committee. 

Guerra was elected to form part of the Steering Committee, representing Latin America until October 2027, along with Ignacio Bartesaghi, international director at Universidad Católica de Uruguay, who was also elected to represent the region.

During the same session, Gisela Veritier, director of ICDA Business School, Universidad de Córdoba in Argentina, was announced as the new President-Elect of the Steering Committee and will take office in October 2025 for a two-year term. 

Hendrik Lohse, a professor at EM Normandie Business School in France, was elected to the quota from outside Latin America.

CLADEA is an international network that brings together higher education institutions and organizations committed to education and research in management. 

Founded in 1964, CLADEA's main objectives include expanding and strengthening Business Administration Education, promoting its research, and disseminating management practices among social and economic organizations in Latin America.

With this appointment, Guerra is joining an international committee dedicated to continuing to propel business and administrative education in the region and beyond.

CLADEA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2024

The title of the 59th edition of the CLADEA International Conference, organized by Universidad Católica San Pablo, was "Reimagining Business Education: Ready for Transformation?".

The event took place from October 16 to 18 and was attended by more than 60 speakers from over 30 countries. They participated in plenary sessions, workshops, and other top-level academic and social activities, contributing to the consolidation of education in administrative sciences worldwide.

The academics from EGADE Business School who took an active part in the conference included Guerra, who participated on a deans' panel on the Circular Economy and the crucial role of Business Schools; Christiane Molina, professor from the Department of Strategy and Leadership at EGADE Business School, who was part of a panel on the challenges and opportunities for alliances between academia and the public, private and NGO sectors to manage University Social Responsibility in Latin America; José Ernesto Amorós, associate dean of Faculty at EGADE Business School, who participated in an Editors' Meeting and CLADEA Research; and Linda Ruiz, a graduate of the Doctorate in Administrative Sciences at EGADE, who presented her research on technology adoption and entrepreneurship.

🌍 ¡Nuestra comunidad destacó en el Congreso de @cladeaorg en Perú! Compartió sobre #economíacircular, la adopción de tecnología y las alianzas estratégicas entre sectores público, privado y ONG para la #responsabilidadsocial en escuelas de negocios. #CLADEA2024 #Investigación pic.twitter.com/ynot1aKyIc

— EGADE Business School (@egade) October 23, 2024

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation expert, Latin America is advancing in adopting a Circular Economy, with Mexico at the forefront of several key initiatives.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The growing importance of the Circular Economy in Latin America and Mexico underscores its progress in key sectors and its impact on the struggle against climate change and biodiversity loss.

Jocelyn Blériot, executive director of Policies and Institutions at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, shared this information during his conference “The Road Ahead on Circularity,” which was delivered on October 21 at EGADE Business School in Monterrey.

The expert stressed that the Circular Economy responds to environmental concerns and represents an efficient approach to resource use and the evolution of consumer behavior.

"If we place things in the market that don’t fit anywhere, they shouldn’t have been put there in the first place,", Blériot emphasized, highlighting the importance of an intelligent design and biomimetics as the key principles for advancing in circularity.  

Regarding Latin America and Mexico, Blériot praised the progress made in the region, mentioning in particular the Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America and the Caribbean, of which Mexico is an active member.

He also mentioned the Plastics Pact Mexico (PPMX), an initiative convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and managed by Andrea Cantú Garza, an EGADE Business School alumna. It seeks to address the lifecycle of plastics in a circular manner.  

Blériot also explained that if circularity strategies are implemented in key sectors such as cement, plastics, steel, aluminum, and foods, global CO₂ emissions could be reduced by 9.3 billion tons by 2050. This impact would be equivalent to all the emissions generated by transportation worldwide.

The conference ended with a dialogue between Blériot and Boyd Cohen, Sustainability professor at EGADE Business School, in which they discussed circular economy models, emphasizing the importance of saving materials and incentives for their adoption.

Before the conference, EGADE Business School hosted a private meeting between Blériot and key players from Tecnológico de Monterrey, the French Consulate in Monterrey, and the Nuevo León State Government to consolidate the region’s circular economy initiatives.

Participants included Paola Visconti, director of Sustainable Development and Connection at Tecnológico de Monterrey; Javier Pérez Sagaón, undersecretary for Climate Change and Waste in the Nuevo León State Government; and Ludovic Doyennette, expert in climate change, circular economy, and sustainable cities at Expertise France.

THE EXPERT

Blériot is the executive director of Policies and Institutions at the  Ellen MacArthur Foundation, where he has played a key role since it was founded in 2010.

As a Circular Economy specialist, Blériot collaborates closely with international organizations such as the European Union and the United Nations, contributing to developing policies for a more sustainable economy.

He has also participated in strategic initiatives at the World Economic Forum, focusing on the transition towards circular economy models that address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Global Network for Advanced Management program brings together 21 international students at the EGADE Santa Fe site.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

“Anticipatory Leadership: Envisioning Innovative Futures for Business Growth” was the module offered by EGADE Business School in Mexico City as part of the October 2024 Global Network Week (GNW).

The EGADE Business School Santa Fe site brought together students from 15 countries and ten different Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) member business schools:

• EGADE Business School (Mexico)
• HKUST Business School (Hong Kong)
• INCAE Business School (Costa Rica)
• Koç University Graduate School of Business (Turkey)
• Lagos Business School (Nigeria)
• PUC Business School (Chile)
• Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (UK)
• UBC Sauder School of Business (Canada)
• University of Ghana Business School (Ghana)
• Yale School of Management (United States)

The module focused on preparing students to visualize multiple futures and tackle emerging conditions in the long term, optimizing decision-making in the present.

 

 

 

 

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The activities took place from October 14 to 18, with sessions delivered by EGADE Business School professors Alfonso Ávila (academic leader of the module), Ricardo Buitrago, Mario Saldaña, David Güemes y Carlos Dávila, and Valeria Sánchez.

Other participants were Eric Porras, national director of MBA programs at EGADE Business School; Pablo Necoechea, regional director of EGADE Business School in Mexico City and Querétaro; Steven Popper, distinguished university professor in Decision Sciences at the Tec School of Social Sciences and Government; Rubén Vázquez Esquivel, professor at the Tec School of Architecture, Art and Design; Jorge Camacho, research affiliate at the Institute for the Future, and León Palafox, director of the Novartis Innovation Lab.

In addition, the students enjoyed visits to places such as the Museo Nacional de Antropología and KidZania.

 

 

 

 

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In this October edition of GNW, 64 EGADE Business School students they participated simultaneously in 17 modules offered by GNAM member schools worldwide.

The EGADE Business School students who participated in these modules study the following programs: EGADE MBA, EGADE MBA Online, EGADE - UNC Charlotte MBA in Global Business & Strategy, and the Master in Finance. 

EGADE MBA alums are featured on the list of the leading women in the marketing industry.

By SOFIA VALVERDE ZAMORA | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The magazine Merca2.0 published its 85 Marketing Women 2024 list, which includes two alumnae of EGADE Business School - Tecnológico de Monterrey.

The list, published in the September edition, reveals the evolution of female leadership in the marketing industry.

The EGADE alumnae are:

MARCELA GONZÁLE​Z (MBA’19)
Marketing VP en Rocket Lab

According to the magazine, Marcela González underscores the importance of keeping up to date in a field as dynamic as marketing. She achieves this by carefully selecting her information sources and participating in national and international professional circles.

“She also highlights the integration of artificial intelligence as one of the most important trends in marketing communication, anticipating that, in the coming years, AI will be essential to personalize messages and enhance brand-user interactions,” the magazine mentioned.

REBEKKA IRINA (MBA’22)
Gerente de Mercadotecnia en Michelin 

Merca2.0 emphasized that Rebekka Irina visualizes an even closer relationship between marketing and communication in the future, where finding and constantly updating the proper channels to reach the desired audience will be critical. 

“She also stresses the growing importance of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and sustainability as trends that will set the course of the industry over the next few years,” the magazine stated.

This special edition of Merca2.0 celebrates the women leaders, innovators, and creators who are redefining the industry with their vision, creativity, and determination.

The country is facing internal challenges related to the fiscal deficit and the lack of checks and balances, according to Jorge Arturo Martínez.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Mexico's economic challenges after the presidential elections comprised the central theme of the keynote conference "Post-electoral risk scenarios and the new Mexican reality," offered by Jorge Arturo Martínez, professor in the Department of Finance and Business Economics of EGADE Business School, at the Guadalajara site.

The expert explained that although President Claudia Sheinbaum has a technical background, the fiscal and market confidence challenges could escalate if she does not dissociate from the centralized policies of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

In his analysis, Martínez underscored the internal risks, such as the mounting fiscal deficit and the government's lack of checks and balances, which could hurt the country's stability.

He also stressed that critical sectors, such as telecommunications, mining, and energy, will face uncertainty if more centralized regulatory policies are implemented.

Martínez shared two possible scenarios for the current administration: one with weakened checks and balances and another that is more technical and will attract foreign investment. However, he mentioned that the former seems to be the most likely scenario, which would generate more significant economic uncertainty.

In addition to the conference, Martínez shared these perspectives during an executive breakfast hosted by Raúl Montalvo, director of EGADE Business School in Guadalajara.

Representatives of MIND México Innovación y Diseño, CANIETI Occidente, and other organizations also participated in these events and discussed Mexico's future economic challenges.

The initiative seeks to consolidate a network of leaders committed to philanthropy and positively impacting society. 

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

EGADE Business School held the first meeting of its community of Generosity Ambassadors at the Club Industrial in Monterrey, where EXATEC EGADE (alumni) gathered to strengthen their philanthropic ties and promote social impact.

The event was officially opened by Horacio Arredondo, dean of EGADE Business School, who highlighted the role of the school's alumnae and alumni in this philanthropic initiative, inviting them to generate change that will transcend business settings.

"I am convinced that Generosity Ambassadors will be a key platform for channeling joint efforts and achieving a positive impact," Arredondo stated.

Martha Elizondo, Alumni Relations leader at EGADE Business School, then stressed that generosity acts as a catalyst for social transformation.

"Today, more than ever before, our characteristic spark of generosity is needed," Elizondo said, emphasizing the contributions of the EXATEC EGADE community.

During the event, different speakers shared their reflections on the transformational role of generosity, each contributing their unique perspective on social impact.

Eduardo Hernández, national director of development at Tecnológico de Monterrey, shared his perspective on the importance of small gestures in our daily lives, underscoring that "generosity begins with greeting and acknowledging others."

Student Arely Anguiano Rodríguez, a beneficiary of Tec’s Leaders of Tomorrow program, offered a moving testimonial of her academic and social leadership journey, highlighting philanthropy's role in her life.

Her emotional words were, "I am going to be the first engineer ever in my family, thanks to the small acts of generosity that transform lives. "

Luis Gutiérrez, academic vice-rector of Tecmilenio and author of Propósito: Descubre el tuyo, closed the event with a reflection on life purpose and how it guides actions towards a more meaningful life.

"Living with purpose helps us make better decisions," he said.

The event included several dynamics in which attendees shared philanthropic experiences and visions for the community's future.

These activities fostered the creation of authentic ties. They promoted a dialogue on how to strengthen the network of ambassadors, exploring the power of collaboration to foment a more supportive and transformative environment.

This first meeting of the Ambassadors of Generosity promises to be the beginning of a community that will generate a positive and lasting impact on society, through philanthropy and shared leadership.

The community aims to consolidate the connection between innovation leaders and transform the future of business in Mexico.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The EGADE Innovation Community, a dynamic network of leaders in innovation, officially expanded to Guadalajara on October 11, establishing itself as a key space for exchanging best practices and networking in the business world.

This launch followed previous events in Monterrey on October 8 and in Mexico City, where the community celebrated its first anniversary in August. The initiative has proliferated, connecting the visionaries who drive innovation in Mexican companies.

During the event in Guadalajara, René Freudenberg, CEO of Interlub Group, shared how his organization articulates innovation to remain at the forefront, highlighting the importance of creating environments that foster creativity and collaboration between multidisciplinary teams.

Attendees included Raúl Montalvo, director of EGADE Business School Guadalajara; Sascha Fürst, professor in the Department of Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation and leader of the initiative in Guadalajara; Cristian Granados and Fernando Moya, promoters of the EGADE Innovation Community since its beginnings in Mexico City; and André Soresini, general director of the Vaccine Unit at Sanofi México. 

The EGADE Innovation Community is now established in three key cities in Mexico under the leadership of Sascha Fürst in Guadalajara, Isaac Lemus in Monterrey, and Fernando Moya and Cristian Granados in Mexico City. 

This community continues to expand and significantly impact the country’s innovation ecosystem, seeking to transform the future of business in Mexico and Latin America.