COFIDES promotes the leadership of women CEOs as a driver of transformation in Spanish companies

 

In the framework of the International Women's DayThe company COFIDES On March 9, 2026, the forum "Women CEOs. High Impact Leadership" was organized to promote the female presence in strategic decision-making bodies and analyze their role in the current economic transformation.

 

Institutional vision on senior management and equality

 

The opening of the event was led by Ángela Pérez, President and CEO of COFIDESShe emphasized the need to "share experiences and vision on the importance of incorporating women into strategic decision-making positions." According to the executive, diversity at the top of the corporate ladder is not only a matter of equity, but a factor that strengthens the quality of decisions and competitiveness in demanding markets.

 

For its part, Carlos San Basilio, President of the CNMVHe provided data on the current state of corporate governance. While he highlighted that companies in the IBEX They already meet the target of 40% female representation, but warned that progress in senior executive management remains scarce, highlighting a gap between boards and day-to-day operational management.

 

The day also included a technical presentation by Eva AzoulayCEO ITP Aeroand the intervention of Fernando Aceña, Talent Director of COFIDES, who outlined the global challenges of managing international teams under equality criteria.

 

Panel discussion: Experiences at the top of the corporate world

 

In the panel "Women CEOs: the challenge of wanting, getting there and moving forward", leaders from various sectors shared the keys to their management. Elena SanzCEO MAPFRE Iberia, directly linked the sustainability With good governance, they assert that "without ethics, there can be no business." Transparency and social commitment thus become pillars of long-term profitability.

 

From the communications sector, Carme MiróCEO APPLE TREEShe emphasized that equality must be in the organization's DNA, highlighting that 50% of her management team are women. Furthermore, Adriana Domínguez, executive president of Adolfo Domínguez, presented a model where proportionality is the norm: with an 80% female workforce, the firm has achieved a positive wage gap and presence in the Ibex Gender Equality.

 

Indicator / Entity	Key Fact
Event attendance	More than 200 people
IBEX Target (Tips)	40% of women (Achieved)
Adolfo Domínguez Women's Team	80% approximately
Social Impact of Apple Tree	Support for 1.200 girls in grassroots football

 

Internationalization with a gender perspective

 

The closure was led by Amparo López Senovilla, Secretary of State for Trade, who defined the integration of a gender perspective in the internationalization policiesThe Administration is committed to the "Women and Internationalization" Working Group to ensure that trade agreements promote equal labor standards.

 

• Promoting equal labor standards in agreements of the European Union.
• Strengthening the presence of women in strategic and technological sectors.
• Promoting greater participation of women in the international trade.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about female leadership

 

What is the current situation of women in the IBEX?

Currently, IBEX companies meet the target of 40% female representation on their boards, although the challenge remains to increase their presence in senior management positions.

 

How does diversity affect business strategy?

According to COFIDESDiversity strengthens the quality of strategic decisions and improves the ability of organizations to compete in demanding global environments.

 

What initiatives exist to support women in foreign trade?

The State Secretariat for Trade has launched the "Women and Internationalization" Working Group to promote a more active role for female executives in the global economy.