Ha sido un auténtico placer tener con nosotros a MERCEDES SANTIAGO, Gerente General de la empresa familiar EVOO ACANTO SL. Mercedes es una empresaria española cuyo liderazgo y know-how en internacionalización empresarial, ha propiciado que EVOO ACANTO SL pasara de vender sólo en España, donde ahora suministra a clientes como El Corte Inglés Gourmet, a exportar a 25 países, fundamentalmente en Asia pero también en Europa.

Mercedes nos ha compartido su visión del sector del aceite de oliva en España y en el mundo, y el enorme valor para la salud de un producto como el que posee ACANTO, de primerísima calidad, muy centrado en el aceite de oliva virgen extra (AOVE) de extracción temprana, con un alto valor en polifenoles.

La cena se ha desarrollado en un entorno idílico, con las mejores vistas de Madrid. Para colmo, hemos tenido el privilegio de catar el aceite de Acanto de la primera cosecha, recién recolectado y aún sin embotellar. Un manjar difícil de disfrutar en el paladar en cualquier otra circunstancia.

EVOO ACANTO SL nos ha compartido un código promocional de un 10% para la Comunidad Georgetown en España: «GEORGETOWN10», introducible en la web de Acanto (https://aceitesacanto.es/). Las botellas, que tienen producción limitada, estarán disponibles en un par de semanas, una vez terminen el proceso de embotellado y puesta en disposición para la venta.

Muchas gracias a todos los asistentes. La conversación, preguntas y discusión han sido de gran valor y han ayudado a que esta experiencia sea inolvidable.

This year, the annual alumni meeting of the Georgetown University’s Global Competitiveness Leadership Program has taken place in Barcelona, counting on 100+ academic and professional leaders to strengthen the relationships and connections between America and Europe. The event has made possible that participants from more than 20 countries enjoy of a professional and social program for three days in a great atmosphere.

The Georgetown Club of Spain has been an active collaborator of this event, who counted on sponsors such as Fuster-Fabra Abogados, Abat Oliba CEU, Rafik, Marcet or Sport Itinerantum.

Hoya Saxa!!!

[La Vanguardia press note]

This year, the annual alumni meeting of the Georgetown University’s Global Competitiveness Leadership Program has taken place in Barcelona, counting on 100+ academic and professional leaders to strengthen the relationships and connections between America and Europe. The event has made possible that participants from more than 20 countries enjoy of a professional and social program for three days in a great atmosphere.

The Georgetown Club of Spain has been an active collaborator of this event, who counted on sponsors such as Fuster-Fabra Abogados, Abat Oliba CEU, Rafik, Marcet or Sport Itinerantum.

Hoya Saxa!!!

[La Vanguardia press note]

This year has been a wonderful year for the Club!

Last week, the Georgetown Alumni Club of Spain held its annual Gala Dinner, bringing together our community of Hoyas and friends in a warm, festive setting. This year, we were honored to welcome key representatives from the Madrid Town Hall (Inmaculada Sánchez-Cervera -General Coordinating Head; and José Francisco Herrera Antonaya – General Director for International Relations) who shared insights on the city’s growing role as a global hub for talent welcoming and empowering thought leaders from all walks of life to develop their careers and mission with purpose and freedom.

Georgetown University’s values are rooted in its Jesuit heritage and a tradition of educating the whole person. Central to this mission is cura personalis -care for the individual- which emphasizes personal integrity, respect for others, and a commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth. Georgetown fosters a deep sense of service and social responsibility, encouraging its community to engage with the world and work for the common good.

As a non-partisan, no-profit group of friends inspired by Georgetown’s university spirit and values, the Georgetown Alumni Club of Spain strives to create meaningful events that strengthen connections, celebrate service, and foster dialogue. The gala was a wonderful reflection of that mission -uniting our diverse alumni community with the vibrant future of Madrid.

Hoya Saxa!!!

The first big event of 2026 is now behind us, marking the start of an eventful year ahead!

On Thursday, February 5th, we paid our respects with a memorial mass at Iglesia San Francisco de Borja, honoring the members of our community who passed away last year. Following the service, we found ourselves enjoying some fine wine and tapas in the company of fellow club members during our social at Restaurante José Luis.

We were very lucky to celebrate a wine tasting social on Thursday, March 12th at Bodega de los Reyes. The tasting has been a 2-hour enogastronomic experience led by a professional sommelier. We had had the great pleasure to explore Spanish wines from different regions, grape varieties, soils, orientations, winemaking techniques, and aging processes.

The wine tasting has included two white wines, one rosé, and two reds, all paired with selected tapas and small bites designed to enhance the aromas and flavors of each wine.

This social has been organized jointly with Georgetown students currently on exchange in Madrid to encourage their integration with the Club and strengthen connections across the community.

On Saturday March 14th, we have lived an unforgettable day that celebrates shared values of service and community.

In collaboration with the Order of Malta Spain, we offer you a day of wonder at Puy du Fou, where centuries of history come to life spectacularly! We have enjoyed a full VIP visit, including a private guided visit by trained park advisors, simultaneous translation, private cocktail and new networking opportunities

Our participation directly supports Malta Camp (www.maltacamp.com), the Order of Malta’s flagship international summer camp, bringing together young people with disabilities and volunteers from over 20 countries for a week of friendship, faith, and inclusive activities—like adaptive sports and cultural outings.

On March 25, the Georgetown University Club of Spain in Barcelona launched its inaugural Leadership Breakfast Series at the Círculo Ecuestre, bringing together a select group of diplomats, business leaders, and members of the Ryder Club.

The session focused on the geopolitics of the South Caucasus, a region often overlooked despite its growing strategic importance. The keynote speaker, Levon Grigorian, Partner at an international law firm and Representative of the Armenian General Benevolent Union in Spain, was joined by Javier Marcet, attorney and founder of the Go Ukraine initiative.

The discussion explored the South Caucasus as a geopolitical crossroads, where the interests of Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Western actors such as the US and the EU converge. Far from being a peripheral region, it is increasingly central to questions of energy security, regional connectivity, and the evolving balance of power between global and regional players.

A key theme was the shifting international landscape. With Russia weakened by the war in Ukraine and the US and Turkey expanding their regional influence, new dynamics are emerging, including strategic corridor projects and external initiatives aimed at reshaping trade and influence across the region, such as the TRIPP project. At the same time, the role of Western actors—particularly Europe—was discussed in terms of both engagement and perceived absence.

The conversation also highlighted a broader concern in international relations: the growing tendency to normalize faits accomplis achieved through force when they align with strategic interests, raising questions about the consistency and credibility of international law and human rights standards, as seen in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

On March 30, 2026, the international community observed the International Day of Zero Waste, with this year’s focus on Food Waste. Led by UN-Habitat and the United Nations Environment Programme, the observance highlighting a critical and solvable challenge: how we produce, consume, and discard food.

Each year, about one-third of all food produced globally, roughly 1.3 billion tonnes, is lost or wasted. This contributes nearly 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, places significant pressure on freshwater and land resources, and occurs while nearly 800 million people face hunger.

To mark the 2026 observance, the Hoya Sustainability Network, in partnership with the Georgetown Alumni Club of Spain, hosted a global virtual dialogue bringing together Georgetown alumni and sustainability leaders from different regions. The discussion examined practical strategies to reduce food loss and waste across households, institutions, and supply chains, and explored how more efficient food systems can advance climate action, food security, and economic resilience.

Agenda

• Presentation of the International Day of Zero Waste 2026 and Food Waste Theme – 2 minutes
• Presentation of the Hoya Sustainability Network (Carline Noailles) – 2 minutes
• Presentation of the Georgetown Club of Spain and Housekeeping Rules (Ruben Lopez Rivas) – 4 minutes
• Main Event: Global Virtual Panel – 60 minutes – Ruben Lopez Rivas will introduce each panelist and make the transition between presentations
• • Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju (West Africa) – 15 minutes
  • Flavio Cabrera (Mexico) – 15 minutes
  • Raquel Raquel Díaz Ruiz (Spain) – 15 minutes
  • Audrey Marmon-Halm (Ghana) – 15 minutes
• Q&A Session – 15 minutes
• Closing Remarks – 3 minutes