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Faculty and Research

World-class academics and industry experts driving cutting-edge research and innovative thinking across business, technology, and sustainability.

Distinguished Faculty

Our faculty combines academic excellence with practical industry experience, bringing both theoretical rigor and real-world insights to every programme.

DR

Dr. Maria Rodriguez

Dean of Executive Education

Digital transformation, artificial intelligence strategy, and organizational change management in technology-driven environments.

  • Harvard Business Review contributing editor
  • Former Chief Digital Officer, Telefónica
  • Author of "AI Leadership Transformation"
  • MIT Sloan Fellow
CM

Prof. Carlos Mendez

Director of Digital Innovation

Machine learning applications in business, fintech innovation, and digital business model development across European markets.

  • Stanford AI Lab research fellow
  • Co-founder of three successful startups
  • 30+ publications in top-tier journals
  • EU Innovation Awards recipient
AG

Dr. Ana Gutierrez

Professor of Sustainability

ESG strategy, circular economy implementation, and sustainable finance frameworks for multinational corporations.

  • UN Global Compact advisor
  • Former sustainability director, Unilever
  • IPCC climate report contributor
  • Sustainability leadership award recipient
JL

Prof. Jean-Pierre Laurent

Chair of International Finance

Global financial markets, risk management, and cryptocurrency regulation across European and international banking systems.

  • Former Bank of France economist
  • European Central Bank consultant
  • Financial risk management expert
  • Author of 50+ research papers
ES

Dr. Elena Schmidt

Professor of Strategic Management

Corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and competitive dynamics in technology and pharmaceutical industries.

  • McKinsey & Company senior partner
  • INSEAD PhD in Strategy
  • Harvard Business School visiting scholar
  • Strategy consulting for Fortune 100
RM

Prof. Roberto Martinez

Director of Entrepreneurship

Venture capital, startup ecosystem development, and innovation management across European emerging markets.

  • Serial entrepreneur and investor
  • EU startup ecosystem advisor
  • Founded 5 successful tech companies
  • €50M+ in exits and fundraising

Research Centers & Institutes

Our specialized research centers drive innovation and thought leadership across critical areas of business and society.

AI & Digital Innovation Lab

Advancing artificial intelligence applications in business through collaborative research with leading technology companies and academic institutions.

Machine Learning • Business AI • Digital Strategy

Sustainability Research Institute

Developing frameworks for sustainable business practices, ESG implementation, and circular economy models across European markets.

ESG • Circular Economy • Climate Strategy

European Business Center

Analyzing European market dynamics, cross-border business strategies, and the impact of EU regulation on international commerce.

EU Markets • International Strategy • Policy Analysis

Entrepreneurship & Innovation Hub

Supporting startup research, venture capital analysis, and innovation ecosystem development across European cities.

Venture Capital • Startup Ecosystems • Innovation

Financial Markets Research

Investigating financial market behavior, risk management innovations, and the impact of fintech on traditional banking.

Fintech • Risk Management • Market Analysis

Leadership & Organizational Behavior

Exploring leadership effectiveness, team dynamics, and organizational culture in digital and multicultural environments.

Leadership • Culture • Remote Work

Research Impact & Publications

Our faculty's research contributes to leading academic journals and influences business practice worldwide.

250+ Research Publications
45 Top-Tier Journal Articles
15 Research Grants Active
30+ Industry Partnerships
8 Books Published
120+ Conference Presentations

Recent Publications

Selected recent publications from our faculty in leading academic and practitioner journals.

Harvard Business Review

The AI Leadership Imperative: Strategic Frameworks for Digital Transformation

Dr. Maria Rodriguez, Prof. Carlos Mendez
2024
Strategic Management Journal

Sustainable Competitive Advantage in the Circular Economy Era

Dr. Ana Gutierrez, Prof. Elena Schmidt
2024
Journal of Financial Economics

Cryptocurrency Regulation and Market Stability in European Financial Systems

Prof. Jean-Pierre Laurent
2024
Academy of Management Journal

Cross-Cultural Leadership Effectiveness in Digital Work Environments

Dr. Elena Schmidt, Dr. Maria Rodriguez
2024
Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice

Venture Capital Decision-Making in European Tech Startups

Prof. Roberto Martinez
2023
MIT Sloan Management Review

Machine Learning Applications for Strategic Decision Making

Prof. Carlos Mendez, Dr. Maria Rodriguez
2023

Industry Partnerships & Collaboration

Our faculty collaborate with leading corporations and organizations to ensure research relevance and practical application.

Corporate Research Partners

Our faculty maintain active research collaborations with Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups, ensuring our research addresses real-world business challenges and opportunities.

These partnerships provide access to proprietary data, real-world case studies, and validation opportunities for theoretical frameworks developed through our research programs.

Key Partnership Areas

  • AI implementation and strategy development projects
  • Sustainability transformation consulting and research
  • Financial risk modeling and fintech innovation
  • Organizational development and leadership assessment
  • Market entry and international expansion studies
  • Digital transformation roadmap development
  • Startup ecosystem analysis and venture evaluation
  • ESG reporting and measurement framework design

Collaborate with Our Research Community

Explore opportunities for research collaboration, consulting partnerships, or academic engagement with our distinguished faculty.

Partner with Us View Publications

Interested in research collaboration? Contact us at research@ieaf.edu or call +34 91 234 5678