This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mar Hurtado de Mendoza, VP of Global Recruitment & Marketing at IE University.

What is the history, mission, and core values of IE University?

IE University was founded more than 50 years ago with a clear ambition: to transform higher education in order to generate real impact in society. Our mission is to educate leaders with a global mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep commitment to economic and social progress. We are firmly committed to innovation, diversity, and academic excellence. In what has traditionally been a conventional sector, our relevance lies not in following the existing playbook, but in continuously challenging and redefining it.

Tell us more about yourself: what has been your professional journey and what is your current role?

Over the past 13 years, my professional career has been closely linked to IE University’s institutional development and international expansion. I have led and driven a consistent, long-term global strategy that has resulted in a truly international and diverse student community. My current role combines strategic vision, cross-functional coordination, and decision-making aimed at strengthening partnerships, global positioning, and key relationships within the education and business ecosystems. Previously, I worked in business development across different sectors, including launching my own venture—an experience that was both highly enriching and demanding, and from which I learned tremendously.

From IE University’s perspective, what is the key differentiator you are most proud of?

If I had to choose one, I would say our genuine diversity—not only in terms of nationality, but also in experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. More than 140 nationalities come together on our campuses and in our classrooms each year. This is not a branding message; it is an everyday reality that enriches discussion, enhances the quality of decision-making, and transforms the educational experience into something that goes far beyond academic content. At the same time, it challenges us to remain in a constant state of evolution.

What role do Spain and the United States play in your organization?

Spain is our origin, our innovation laboratory, and our cultural anchor. The United States is a key strategic pillar, to the extent that our first operation outside Spain was IE New York College, located in the heart of SoHo. Our presence in New York strengthens institutional partnerships, corporate relationships, and academic opportunities, consolidating IE as a transatlantic platform with global impact.

Why did you decide to become members of AmChamSpain?

AmChamSpain is a natural partner for IE University. We share a vision of strengthening the relationship between Spain and the United States through talent, education, and business collaboration. Being part of this community allows us to actively contribute to the development of this transatlantic axis and to generate sustainable value for both ecosystems.

1. Tell us about the history, mission, and values of Liberty Mutual Surety.

Liberty Mutual Surety Spain, a subsidiary of the Liberty Mutual Group, has been operating in our country since 2019. Our mission is to guarantee the faithful performance and proper execution of contracts signed in Spain—both by domestic entities and international companies, with particular attention to those based in the United States. From our headquarters in Spain, we also act as facilitators, providing surety solutions for Spanish companies participating in international contracts, especially those required for operations in the United States. This is made possible thanks to the backing and expertise of our parent company, Liberty Mutual Surety, a global leader in the surety market.

Our main strengths can be summarized as follows:

• Strong financial ratings from leading international agencies: A2 by Moody’s, A (Excellent) by AM Best, and A (Strong) by Standard & Poor’s.
• Operational presence in more than 60 countries, enabling us to offer truly global coverage.
• The ability to provide large surety lines, with over 57 clients holding credit lines exceeding $1 billion.

The importance of surety bonds lies in the fact that they are an essential requirement for the formalization and execution of both public and private contracts. Without this instrument, companies cannot begin their projects—making it a vital component of their business operations.

2. Tell us about your professional background and your current role at Liberty Mutual Surety.

My professional career began 30 years ago at the U.S. insurance company Travelers. Over the years, I have developed my career at various American firms in the sector, such as HCC and AmTrust, before joining Liberty in 2019. I currently serve as Country Manager of Liberty Mutual Surety Spain, where I lead the brand’s expansion at the local level. My primary responsibility is to provide specialized surety services and advisory support to Spanish companies with interests in the United States and other regions, as well as to U.S. and international companies operating in Spain.

3. What do you consider to be the main differentiating factor or the aspect you are most proud of within your organization?

Our main added value and key differentiator can be summarized as follows:

• Strong financial stability, supported by high ratings from leading international agencies.
• An agile and efficient international service, capable of adapting to our clients’ needs across different parts of the world.
• Deep knowledge and extensive experience in complex surety markets such as the United States.
• Large bonding capacity, which allows us to serve as a comprehensive solution for many of our clients.

4. Why are Spain and the United States important markets for your company?

Spain is a key destination for U.S. investments in sectors such as distribution, logistics, energy, data centers, and pharmaceuticals. All these companies require surety solutions to ensure the proper execution of their contracts and projects in the country. Conversely, major Spanish groups in energy, construction, and engineering, among others, undertake significant projects in the United States—a highly complex market where bonding requirements can reach up to 100% of the contract value. Faced with these challenges, these corporate groups turn to Liberty Mutual Surety for capacity, expertise, and specialized service. This enables us to build strong, long-term partnerships that contribute to the success of their international operations.

5. Why did you choose to become a member of AmChamSpain?

We decided to join AmChamSpain because we see it as a strategic platform to strengthen commercial ties between Spain and the United States. The Chamber provides access to valuable resources, networking opportunities, and events that promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices. It also allows us to stay informed about regulatory developments and market trends relevant to our industry, while actively contributing to the creation of a competitive and collaborative business environment.

1. Tell us briefly about IQVIA’s history, mission, and values

IQVIA is a global leader in the use of data, technology, advanced analytics, and scientific expertise to help healthcare clients improve patient outcomes. We combine data science with deep industry knowledge to accelerate medical innovation and enhance health results through an innovative approach powered by artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. This enables organizations around the world to optimize clinical research, improve access to treatments, and transform healthcare delivery.

2. Tell us about your professional background and your current role at IQVIA

My career path perfectly reflects what IQVIA stands for — a company that believes in internal growth, opportunity creation, and a long-term vision. I joined IQVIA 17 years ago, spending my first 13 years in the business consulting area focused on pharmaceutical laboratories. I later led the Consumer Health business unit for three years, and since January 2025, I have had the honor of serving as General Manager of IQVIA Spain.

3. What is the element that most differentiates your organization, or of which you are most proud?

First, IQVIA is a company that works exclusively within the healthcare sector, which gives us a very high level of specialization. Second, IQVIA holds world-class real-world information assets — from drug development to the outcomes of healthcare interventions — allowing us to rebuild the entire knowledge chain of the healthcare ecosystem from start to finish. We do this by combining people and capabilities from different teams across the company, from accelerating diagnosis to improving therapies and evaluating their results. Many companies cover some of these aspects, but none can do so quite like IQVIA — and certainly not at a global scale.

4. Why are Spain and the United States important for your company?

Spain is a crucial market for IQVIA as a global company, as it is a powerhouse in clinical development for multiple reasons. Today, it ranks second worldwide in clinical trial activity, just behind the United States. In the past year alone, nearly 180,000 Spaniards participated in clinical trials, the vast majority of them led or supervised by IQVIA’s Clinical division. We also have a workforce of around 1,800 employees, most of whom are based in our Madrid and Barcelona offices. Thanks to Spain’s strong talent pool, language skills, and capabilities, it also serves as the hub for several global operations supporting teams around the world in areas such as Consulting, Technology, Finance, and Human Resources. The United States, on the other hand, is our headquarters country. Our corporate headquarters in North Carolina houses IQVIA’s global strategic functions, including executive leadership, Finance, Human Resources, R&D, and Technology, as well as the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, which provides key insights into the global healthcare ecosystem and directly informs strategic decisions across Europe.

5. Why did you choose to become a member of AmChamSpain?

At IQVIA, one of our core purposes is to continue serving as a connector among key stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem — including the pharmaceutical industry, medical researchers, government agencies, payers, non-profit organizations, and others involved in patient care. Collaboration among all of these actors is essential to strengthening this ecosystem, and being part of such a solid and well-established forum as AmChamSpain, with its strong network of members and deep transatlantic focus, allows us to better understand U.S. business strategies and market trends while fostering dialogue and cooperation across both countries.