Post by Jaime de Aguinaga Garcia

I don’t usually post much on social media, but yesterday I was appointed Vice Rector for Strategy, Coordination and Institutional Relations at #IEUniversity, and I felt it was important to share a few words of gratitude. #IE has been my professional home for many years, but above all it has been a community of people whose professionalism and human quality continually inspire me. Their kindness, commitment and sense of purpose are what give this institution its soul. I am deeply thankful to Diego del Alcázar Benjumea, Diego del Alcázar Silvela, Santiago Iniguez and Salvador Carmona, whose vision has shaped the IE we know today, and to Manuel Muñiz, in a very special way, for his trust, leadership, and friendship. But I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to Lucía García Berciano, Paloma Durán y Lalaguna, Cristina Fernández Tesoro, PhD., Almudena Veganzones Vera, Alvaro Martin, Samuel Fereres, Aitziber Onaindia Riesco, Juan Santaló, Marta Perez, Eugenia Marin, Antonio de Castro Carpeño, Ph.D., Miriam Fernández de Caleya Dalmau, PhD, Isabela Alcázar PhD, Susana Malcorra, Lourdes Zurdo Varela, Celsa Susino, Irene Blázquez Navarro, Cynthia Fernández Lázaro, Nicolás Pérez López-Ibor, Borja Santos Porras, Enrico Letta, Catalina Tejero, Soledad Atienza Becerril, Eugenia Castrillón Martínez-Bordíu, Guillermo de Haro Rodríguez, Rafif Srour, Pablo Marco Blanco, Cristina Santos Echevarría Manuel López Martín de Blas, Geoffroy Gérard, Adriana Angel, Carlos Luca de Tena Piera Diego Rubio, Angel Alonso Arroba, Jacqueline LeBlanc, Lilian Lopez, Mar Hurtado de Mendoza Crespo, Carlos Saldaña, Andrea Longaretti, Roberto Sainz Pastor, Alberto Ibáñez, Nacho Sanjuanbenito, the deans, the vice deans, the faculty, and so many other remarkable colleagues who make IE what it is. I am truly sorry for not being able to name everyone from IE here, but please know that I am thinking of you as well. Being surrounded by people like you is a true privilege. In this new role, I will focus on strengthening IE’s institutional presence in Madrid and Segovia, supporting strategic academic expansion, reinforcing the IE New York College (#IENYC), cultivating high-impact partnerships, enhancing coordination under the new rectoral model, and fostering forward-looking institutional systems, always with a spirit of service, collaboration and humility. My commitment is to give my best and to help create the conditions in which others can thrive. I know how quickly the day-to-day can sweep me into constant motion at IE, but I don't want to lose the chance to be truly present with each of you. Our humanity is what makes this community special and what ultimately gives meaning to our impact, and I hope to become better honouring that in my daily work. I feel excited for what the next year may bring and also hope these days allow us to slow down, reconnect with what truly matters, and return refreshed for all that lies ahead. Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.