MANUEL MUÑIZ: ACADEMIC LEADER & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXPERT

Manuel Muñiz is a distinguished academic and global policy leader serving as Rector of IE University, where he drives the institution’s strategic vision, international expansion, and research innovation. At the forefront of modern higher education, he is focused on strengthening global academic partnerships and positioning universities as key players in addressing complex global challenges, from technological transformation to geopolitical change. His leadership reflects a commitment to shaping future-ready institutions that prepare students to navigate an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.

With a career spanning academia, government, and international organizations, Muñiz brings a uniquely integrated perspective to leadership. As Spain’s former Secretary of State for Global Spain, he played a central role in advancing economic diplomacy, strategic foresight, and technology policy, while overseeing the country’s Foreign Action Strategy and its presidency of the OECD. His work at the intersection of policy and global engagement has helped position Spain as a forward-looking actor in international affairs.

In academia, he has held leadership roles at Harvard University and served as President of APSIA, representing the world’s leading schools of international relations. Through these roles, he has consistently promoted dialogue, research, and collaboration across borders, advancing the study and practice of international relations, public policy, and global governance.

Manuel Muñiz exemplifies modern leadership at the intersection of education and global affairs, combining intellectual rigor, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to developing leaders who will shape the future. His work continues to influence how institutions evolve, how policies are formed, and how the next generation is prepared to lead in a complex global landscape.