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The President and the members of the Board of Trustees of EADA University Private Foundation, as well as the entire team and the EADA Community, express their condolences on the death on November 4th of Irene Vázquez, founder of the institution, together with Arturo Alsina, in 1957 and President of Honour of the Board of Trustees.

We will all remember her as an exceptional fighter and entrepreneurial woman, who led a business project that began as the first business school in Barcelona and has now become one of the world's Top business schools, recognized in the main rankings and ratings and also with the most outstanding accreditations in the international university environment.

Being a woman and a pioneer in the training of managers and entrepreneurs in the Spain of the 50s confirms the special character of Irene Vázquez, whose career has carved out a style in the development of managerial training, in the incorporation of women in the world of work and in economic and social progress. Vázquez reminded us in an interview: "I grew up in a family environment in which it was believed that women should have equal conditions for access to education."

In addition, all these achievements were from the ideological and financial independence of the institution. Since its origin, EADA has promoted independent thought through academic freedom and respect for people, diversity in all its forms, and democratic values. Irene Vázquez believed "A society is not fair if economic growth only benefits a certain social segment."

For all these reasons, Irene Vázquez was distinguished with the Creu de Sant Jordi in 2003, the Medalla al Treball President Macià and the Prize to the Entrepreneurial Woman granted by the Fundació Internacional de la Dona Emprenedora (FIDEM).

Irene Vázquez's legacy remains valid at EADA: "Our mission is to bring concrete economic and social reality closer together and this task is very important for managers because they manage to accelerate their adaptation and maturity process to the real circumstances of the company." Internationally recognized for its positive impact on society according to the Positive Impact Rating, EADA has designed its own model of sustainable and responsible leadership that fosters ethical values and practices that are based on social impact and a positive environment among participants,  the alumni community,  corporations, and companies. 

Without past, there is no future. Without a solid foundation, there is no growth. Without visionary and risky leaders there is no entrepreneurship. Without a human touch, there are no responsible and sustainable managers. Thank you Irene Vázquez for still guiding us and for being a pioneer in defending the values of respect, diversity and independence. Safe journey!