Adriana Hoyos
Born and raised in Colombia, I’m a happy woman, a proud mother and wife, a Buddhist, an economist and an intellectually curious person. I enjoy inclusive multicultural environments the most. My belief is the best ideas and most enriching interactions happen when diversity of thought, expertise and experience is present. I have always been obsessed with impact. As much as theory is key, it becomes dust in the wind when it is not applied or implemented into a tangible end product. That’s why I nag my students, and my son, about the importance of thinking big and working towards making an impact, whether it be on a personal or professional level.
"As much as theory is key, it becomes dust in the wind when it is not applied or implemented into a tangible end product."
Leaving a positive impact
Adriana Hoyos has built a multifaceted international career as a diplomat, business executive, consultant, board member, advisor and professor. At IE University, she currently teaches Bachelor in Economics students several courses on digital and AI economies, zeroing in on their implications for technology, economic growth, behavioral policy and the future of society. Her classes focus extensively on the role of artificial intelligence and digital platforms, and how they serve as a hub to connect the different realms that are shaping today’s world.
Adriana pursued her bachelor’s in economics and business administration before going for her master’s degree in auditing and, later, further postgraduate studies. She has also been a Senior Fellow at Harvard University since 2009. Over the last two decades, she has gained invaluable global experience in strategy consulting for both the private and public sectors, as well as in large foundations and multilateral organizations. Her areas of expertise include the digital economy, artificial intelligence, economic growth, market access, digital transformation and ESG.
In the C-suite, Adriana climbed the ladder to become the CEO of the Women’s World Bank Co., where she was also a member of the board. She later worked in the corporate banking division for Citibank LATAM. An expert in navigating boardroom dynamics, she has served on several boards and expert panels: currently, Adriana sits on the board of directors of construction giant Sacyr, as well as the board of trustees for nonprofit Fundación ANAR. What’s more, she lends her knowledge and experience to various advisory boards such as SciTheWorld, Tritemius Digital Assets, AndalucÃa Management and The Millennium Project.
Her expertise extends far into the political realm: Adriana’s triple citizenship to the United States, Spain and Colombia make her well-suited to a variety of roles. She previously served as a diplomat for Colombia, representing the country as Economic Attaché at the Embassy of Colombia in Spain. Adriana was also the head of Plan Colombia in Europe, as well as a representative to the UN for the Kyoto Protocol.
Moreover, Adriana is a renowned international speaker. She has participated as such in various world-class conferences, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Clinton Global Initiative and the Aspen Ideas Festival. She was also the head of the Global Empowerment Meeting at Harvard.
A commitment to continued learning and professional development has equipped Adriana with a wealth of knowledge and experience that she brings to the classroom. She is determined to pass on a deep understanding of the global economic landscape and the ability to apply innovative solutions to complex problems to her students in the Bachelor in Economics. That’s not all; with her long-honed knack for designing and implementing replicable consulting models on an international scale, she hopes to mold highly sought-after professionals for organizations—both private and public—seeking to drive growth and impact.
Check out in detail Adriana Hoyos's academic and corporate experience
