Esade Launches the Chair in Social Impact. Advancing Research, Education, Practice & Policy for Meaningful Impact

Esade Barcelona (Av. Pedralbes 60-62) · Friday, October 24, 2025 · 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

It is our pleasure to invite you to the Launch of the Esade Chair in Social Impact. Led by Dr. Lisa Hehenberger, Director of the Esade Center for Social Impact and Associate Professor, and supported by leading partners including Robert Bosch Stiftung, Fundación BBK, Bertelsmann Stiftung and Impact Bridge Asset Management, the Chair will develop rigorous research, executive education, and practitioner collaborations in areas related to the generation, funding, and measurement of social and environmental impact. 

Fully aligned with Esade’s overarching agenda on Meaningful Impact—its ambition to become the leading global school for creating positive change in individuals, organizations, and society—the Chair will significantly advance social impact practice, research, and education. By integrating applied and academic research, fostering collaboration between academia and industry, and developing leadership programs, it aims to generate actionable knowledge that supports practitioners, students, and scholars while embedding impact-driven strategies into business, investment, and policy decisions.

The launch event will begin with welcome remarks by Esade’s General Director, Dr. Daniel Traça, followed by the presentation of the Chair by Dr. Lisa Hehenberger, together with representatives of the partner foundations. The program will continue with thematic sessions on “Systemic change in times of polycrisis: meaning, measurement, and funding for impact”, and “The changing role of business in furthering social and environmental impact”, featuring leading voices from academia and practice.

The event will feature two insightful panels with leading voices from business, philanthropy, academia, and policy.

Agenda

11:00 | Welcome & Introduction to the Chair
With Dr. Daniel Traça, General Director of Esade, and Dr. Lisa Hehenberger, Chair holder and Director, Esade Center for Social Impact, alongside representatives from partner organizations.

11:35 | Panel – Systemic Change in Times of Polycrisis: Meaning, Measurement, and Funding for Impact
Speakers: Arturo Benito (Impact Bridge Asset Management), Anna-Marie Harling (LGT Private Banking, Former Co-Impact), Rocío del Mar (tuTeCHO)
Moderator: Dr. Leonora Buckland, Senior Research Scholar, ECSI

12:15 | Panel – The Changing Role of Business in Furthering Social and Environmental Impact
Speakers: Maria Oliva (MCE Social Capital), Pau Vidal Sas SJ (Jesuïtes Catalunya), Miquel Torres (Familia Torres), Xavi Pont Martin (Ship2B Ventures)
Moderator: Dr. Guillermo Casasnovas, Associate Professor, Esade & Researcher, ECSI

13:00 | Networking Aperitif

We would be honored by your presence at this important occasion, where leaders from business, philanthropy, academia, and policymaking will gather to explore new frontiers in social impact.