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GIVING BACK
Boundless support José Antonio Fernández (JAF) (PDG ’94) found a way to carry out two of his dreams: to hit the road on his Vespa and to help those in need. With “Vespa Extreme – Wheels for Life,” JAF takes trips on his iconic motorcycle to remote places that are tough to access for that type of bike, with no logistical support and with the dual objective of increasing social awareness and fundraising for research on oft-ignored diseases. His latest challenge was to complete a roundtrip route from Pamplona to the legendary city of Dakar, Senegal, successfully traveling over 5,500 miles to raise funds for research conducted by the Tropical Health Institute of the University of Navarra (ITSUN). Before embarking on his journey, he presented the initiative to Pope Francis, and on his way to Rome, on November 4, his Vespa made a stop on the IESE campus. Last year, JAF became the first person in history to complete the winter route to Nordkapp (North Cape) on a Vespa. His next challenge, scheduled for summer 2018, is to complete the historic silk route to Mongolia, a trip of more than 24,500 miles.
IN MEMORIAM
ENRIQUE SENDAGORTA (PADE ’75)
T
he founder of SENER and Petronor, Enrique Sendagorta Aramburu, passed away on January 5, at the age of 93. A native of Bizkaia, he earned his doctorate in naval engineering from the School of Engineering of Madrid. In 1956 he and his brother José Manuel founded the engineering firm SENER, one of the partner companies of IESE. He was part of the first graduating class of the PADE at IESE Madrid, in 1975. “IESE helped me put more of my heart and energy into many of my actions,” he said in an interview published in issue 138 of this magazine. “Enrique was one of those rare engineers who are also humanists. And not only with good intentions but with his deeds as well,” says Prof. Carles Cavallé, former dean of IESE. He talked about Sendagorta’s time at the Instituto Empresa y Humanismo (IEH)
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of the University of Navarra, of which Sendagorta was honorary president. “His ideas were built on the conviction that human beings are capable of truly desiring the best for others and not for any selfish reasons,” said Prof. Cavallé. “He had a huge heart, with a true love for everyone and everything,” said Rafael Alvira. The first director of the IEH describes him as “a great man,” with an “innate ability to innovate and lead.” “One is happier in the dual role of master and servant,” he once told his granddaughter Paloma Sendagorta Laso (MBA ’19). This is something that her grandfather put into practice every day. “With luck, all of us who were fortunate enough to know him well will follow his lead,” she said. Along with Paloma, his grandchildren Antonio Sendagorta Laso (MBA ’16), Jorge Sendagorta Cudós (EMBA ’12)
and Pablo Barallat Sendagorta (EMBA ’07) also received an education from the school. As – some years before – did his son, Jorge Sendagorta Gomendio (PADE ’90), who presided over the IESE Alumni Association from 2012 to 2018, continuing the close relationship established with the school by the founder of SENER. At IESE, we have a lot to thank him for.
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