Borja Santos

Borja Santos is the Vice Dean at the IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs and Professor of Practice. He is responsible for overseeing the daily management of the whole school and its different teams. He is also advancing the school’s ambitious agenda to expand its international reach, enhance its programs and activities, and design and implement its future strategies.

Borja’s contributions have significantly enhanced the university’s reputation and educational quality, particularly through the development of innovative pedagogical strategies and the incorporation of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. Additionally, he lectures in various executive and graduate programs.

He has over fifteen years of professional experience focused on the design, implementation and evaluation of public policies and international programs in countries in Africa, Europe, America and Asia. His extensive experience includes working with five multilateral organizations (UNWFP, UNDP, FAO, WB, and IADB), as well as with renowned think tanks such as the Harvard Center for International Development. He has designed strategies for better economic growth with the Government of Sri Lanka; carried out impact evaluations in Peru and Belize with international development banks; led the institutional humanitarian response and disaster risk management programs of United Nations and the Government of Ethiopia and Ecuador; managed international aid projects at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in different countries; and worked fostering innovation ecosystems in cities like San Sebastian. Borja continues to make significant contributions as an international consultant, focusing on executive training, and the design and evaluation of innovative projects with various governments.

Borja holds a Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) by the Harvard Kennedy School (2017), being recipient of the international scholarship of “La Caixa” foundation. He also holds a Master in International Relations (2014) and a BEng+MEng in Telecommunication Engineering with cum laude in the final thesis (University of Valladolid, 2006). Additionally, he completed the professional piano studies at the professional music school of Valladolid (2003).

He collaborates leading the international expansion of IMFAHE, a social international mentorship foundation; he is president of the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association in Spain; and participates as a coach with EuropeLab, an organisation that empowers the new generation of civic and political European leaders. He has also published several books and opinion pieces or has been interviewed for publications such as Agenda Pública, El País, Esglobal, El Norte de Castilla, RNW Media, Allafrica or Harvard Kennedy School news.

Corporate Experience

• Vice Dean and Professor, IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, Spain, 2024

• Associate Vice Dean and Professor, IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, Spain, 2017 - 2024

• Advisor Policy Paper for the G20, IE Center for the Governance of Change, 2020

• Executive Trainer RBM, FAO, 2020

• International Consultant, Interamerican Development Bank, 2018

• International Consultant (Sustainable tourism), World Bank, 2017

• International Consultant (Sustainable tourism), San Sebastian City, 2017

• Associate, HARVARD CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CID), 2016 - 2017  

• International Advisor, United Nations World Food Programme, 2012 - 2015

• Program Manager, Humanitarian Office, Spanish Ministry of Foreian Affairs 2010 - 2011

• International Consultant, World Bank, 2009

• DRM Specialist, United Nations Development Program, 2007 - 2009

Academic Experience

• Professor of Practice Sustainable Development and Public Policy, IE University, Spain, 2017 - Present 

Academic Background

• Advance Management Program, IE University, Spain, 2021

• Master in Public Administration in International Development, Harvard Kennedy School, 2017

• Certificate in “Management, Leadership and Decision sciences”, Harvard Kennedy School, 2017

• Master in International Relations and International Cooperation, European Institute Campus Stellae, 2014

• Master and Bachelor in Telecommunications Engineer, University of Valladolid, 2006

Executive Education

• “Frontiers of Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, MIT Sloan School of Management (F. R del Pino), 2023

• “Sustainability: your competitive advantage”, IE Business School, 2022

• “The Future of Government”, Oxford University (F. Rafael del Pino), 2019,

• “Reinventing the Welfare State for the 21stCentury”, London School of Economics, 2018

• “The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Innovation, Digitalization & The Future of Work”, 2018