María López-Escorial

María López Escorial, independent consultant specialized in social innovation particularly the development of business solutions for poverty alleviation, social entrepreneurship and inclusive business.

Professor at the IE Business School since 2002, María López-Escorial expert in marketing and strategy, focuses her efforts on the implementation of the concept of inclusive business and expanding the knowledge of the consumer at base of the pyramid. “Inclusive businesses, well executed, are one of the most efficient tools for solving social problems. Being able to create social impact while generating financial return, key to the sustainability of the solutions. Involving companies in solving social problems, makes these solutions, sustainable, scalable and efficient.” Professor López-Escorial teaches the subject of Business at the Base of the Pyramid (inclusive business) as well as Marketing and Sales Management in the master programs of the IE Business School. She is also highly integrated into the social innovation ecosystem in Spain, collaborating with entities such as Ashoka or Foro Impacto.

Renown columnist in several publications, she is part of the network of experts of Planeta Futuro of El País, leader newspaper in the Spanish market. Section developed in collaboration with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is one of the firms of Compromiso Empresarial, magazine leader on social innovation in Spain.

María has been elected 2018 Top100 women leaders in Spain.

Specialized on the launch of new companies and products, the best presentation of Professor López-Escorial is her work in the launch of ING Direct and the Orange account, the consolidation of the BBVA Microfinance Foundation and its network of 9 entities in 7 Latin American countries, as well as her work launching World Vision Spain as Director of strategy and marketing. The BBVA Microfinance Foundation is the biggest banking effort, to apply top-level banking capabilities to financially include the disadvantaged. “People living at the base of the economic pyramid is a fascinating segment of customers, which is very little understood, with needs, motivations, and priorities very different from ours that, if we offer the products they really need, we can generate an important social impact and at the same time create a financially viable company. A really exciting challenge.” Explains María, who combines an executive and academic profile.

Professor López-Escorial holds a B.A. (Hons.) in European Business Administration (ICADE, E-4) as well as a Master in International Relations / International Business from The Fletcher School (Tutfs University and Amos Tuck School of Business (Boston, USA). She has worked on 3 continents (Europe, USA and Australia) and has done field work in multiple countries, among others; Peru, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Panama, Bolivia, the Philippines, Mali and Ghana.

Corporate Experience

• Senior strategy consultant specialized in social innovation: microfinance and Business at the Bottom of the Pyramid
• Fundación Microfinanzas BBVA. Business Development. July 09- April 13
• Gomicrocredir.org. Founder. Jan 08- June 09. Awarded with the Banespyme Orange price to one of the most innovative business ideas
• World Vision Spain. Marketing and Strategy Director. The largest sponsorship NGO in the World. Oct 04-Dec 07. Madrid (Spain)
• Tararea y Simplifica. CEO and Founder. Strategy and Marketing consultancy (Sep 2002-present). Madrid (Spain)
• Gran Via Musical. Marketing Director. Dec 2000- Sep 02. Madrid (Spain)
• ING Direct Spain. Marketing Manager. Oct 98-Dec 2000. Madrid (Spain)
• Bain & Company. Strategy Consultant. Sep 96-98. Madrid, Spain & Sidney (Australia)
• Marks & Spencer. Merchandiser. 1992-1994. London, Paris & Madrid

Academic Experience

• IE Business School (2002-present). Associate Professor of Marketing. Teaching Marketing & Sales Management, Business at the Bottom of the Pyramid and Social Marketing, in-house and on-line programs. In Spanish and English
• Professor at the Catedra Inditex de Responsabilidad Social at La Coruña University. (2012-present)

• Seminars: Financieros sin Fronteras & the Ghana Minister of Economic Planning

  • Corporate Governance for Microfinance Institutions in Ghana. November 2012
  • Client Management for Microfinance Institutions in Ghana. June 2013
  • Corporate Governance & Client management for Financial NGOs. April 2014

Academic Background

• Master in International Business. The Fletcher School (Tufts y Harvard University) y Amos Tuck School of Business Administration (Dartmouth College). Boston (USA) School Diploma in Strategic Management and International Consultancy
• ICADE-4 B.A. (Hons.) in European Business Administration. Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, Madrid (Spain) Middlesex University, London (UK)