Rosa Clará and Enagás receive the Women Forward Awards from Esade Alumni

Rosa Clará and Enagás have received Esade Alumni’s Women Forward Awards at the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Esade Alumni Women Empowerment Club. Esade Alumni is Esade’s alumni association. The awards recognise Clará’s business career, marked by innovation and the international expansion of bridal fashion, and the equality policies promoted by Enagás in the energy sector.

The jury recognised Rosa Clará for turning her brand into an international benchmark and highlighted her perseverance and career as an entrepreneur. Speaking about opportunities for new generations of professionals and entrepreneurs, Clará said: “You have to go out and seize them with courage, passion and, above all, a great deal of hard work.”

In the corporate category, the jury honoured Enagás for its equality policies and the presence of women on its governing bodies and in senior management, particularly significant in a traditionally male-dominated sector. It also recognised the company’s progress on equal pay, work–life balance and the promotion of female talent. Accepting the award, Enagás chairman Antonio Llardén said: “Companies have a responsibility to create environments where everyone can develop their talents to the full, without barriers or limitations.” He also argued that “the energy transition will only be truly fair if it is accompanied by greater diversity and genuine equality of opportunity.”

Connecting science and sharing care responsibilities

The event’s keynote speaker was Glòria Oliver, Deputy Managing Director of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation. In her talk, ‘Women driving change: leadership connecting science, philanthropy and impact’, she warned that “Alzheimer’s is too complex for solitary leadership”. Oliver stressed the need to connect scientific talent with resources, institutions and the public so that knowledge becomes solutions that reach people.

She also noted that women drive this change through research, philanthropy and business, while carrying much of the burden of care. Oliver called for this responsibility to be recognised and shared: “The future we want is one in which we can get ahead of the disease and in which caring for others does not force anyone to give up their own life.”

The event also featured Eugenia Bieto, president of the Esade Alumni Women Empowerment Club and former Director General of Esade, and Patricia Valentí, Director of Esade Alumni.

Four editions of the Women Forward Awards

In the three previous editions, the awards recognised the professional achievements of Belén Garijo, Marlen Estévez and Carlota Planas. In the corporate category, they honoured Agbar, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and the Quiero Trabajo Foundation for their contribution to gender equality. The Esade Alumni Women Empowerment Club organises the annual meeting and promotes the awards to showcase female talent and encourage more equitable workplaces. CaixaBank is Esade Alumni’s sponsor and financial partner.