Esade Chair in Social Impact Annual Event 2026: «Leading Meaningful Systemic Impact»

As part of Barcelona4Impact Week, the Chair in Social Impact Annual Event brings together leading academics, philanthropists, investors, entrepreneurs, corporates, policymakers and practitioners to explore how we can create meaningful systemic impact in an increasingly complex world. 

The event offers a unique space to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging research, learn from real-world practice and build collaborations across sectors.

Why Attend? Learn from local and internationally recognized leaders, discover cutting-edge research and practical tools, exchange experiences across sectors, build new collaborations, gain actionable insights.

Main Themes: Philanthropy for Systems Change, impact Investing, education for Systems Change, Impact Measurement and Management (IMM), Systemic Philanthropy, Gender Lens Investing, Social Entrepreneurship, Tackling Gender Bias in Venture Capital, Patient Capital for Systemic Change

Some of our confirmed speakers

• Naina Subberwal, CEO of Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)
• Arturo Benito, CEO of Impact Bridge  
• Johanna Mair, Fellow and Co-Director Global Innovation for Impact Lab Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society
• Francesc Sistach, CEO of Ship2BFoundation and former CEO and Co-founder of Specialisterne
• Lisa Hehenberger, Dean of Esade Business School, Chairholder in Social Impact, Associate Professor
• Julia Coffman, Editor in Chief of The Foundation Review and Founder of the Center for Evaluation Innovation
• Teresa Guardans, Co-Founder of Oryx Impact
• Steven Lichty, working at the intersection of evaluation, strategic foresight and futures thinking;
• Luigi Corvo, Associate Professor at the University of Milano-Bicocca and founder of Open Impact
• Ruby Quantson Davis, Learning and Impact Manager at Peace Direct
• Giulio Pasi, Former Policy and Scientific Officer European Commission