May 7-9, 2026
Business Excellence, Common Good and Solidarity: Keys to Successful Sustainability
Welcome and Networking
Main Conference Day
Mass and Excursion
We welcome you to Madrid’s University District, where knowledge is born and ideas flourish.
Main Venue
Paseo de Juan XXIII 3
(access via interior courtyard)
Moncloa-Aravaca, 28040 Madrid
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport
Recommended Metro station:
Line 3 – Moncloa
Line 6 – Moncloa
Recommended Bus Lines:
Line F – Ciudad Universitaria
Line 132 – Hospital La Paz
Available taxi services:
Radio Taxi Madrid: (+34) 915478200
Tele Taxi Madrid: (+34) 913712131
Star Taxi Mercedes: (+34) 915932020
Radio Eco Taxi: (+34) 911251602
Modern conference rooms, main auditorium, networking areas, full catering service and simultaneous translation available.
Entrance via the interior courtyard. We recommend arriving 60 minutes before the start of the event for registration and accreditation.
In 2026, Acción Social Empresarial (ASE) will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of its founding in Spain as a Christian business association in 1951.
We have convened a National Gathering of Christian Entrepreneurs and Executives, to be held in Madrid under the theme: “Business Excellence, Common Good and Solidarity: Keys to Successful Sustainability”
In 2026, Acción Social Empresarial (ASE) celebrates the 75th Anniversary of its founding in Spain as a Christian business association in 1951.
We have convened a National Gathering of Christian Entrepreneurs and Executives, which will meet in Madrid from May 7–9, 2026, under the theme: “Business Excellence, Common Good and Solidarity: Keys to Successful Sustainability”
It will begin on the afternoon of Thursday, May 7, with a welcome cocktail for attendees. Prior to the cocktail, that same afternoon a meeting reserved for the national leaders of UNIAPAC associations and ASE members registered for the Gathering will be held, where the President of UNIAPAC will share with attendees the new value proposition and the strategy of UNIAPAC in the face of the changing era we are living in.
The program on Friday, May 8, will be attended by prominent ecclesial and business leaders. There will be keynotes conferences and round tables inspired by the theme of the Gathering on four topics: Christian business associations, excellence in business management, the education of Christian executives, and the management of social action.
We will provide simultaneous translation in Spanish, English and French.
The venue will be the Auditorium at the Pablo VI Center, a prestigious hub for debate and analysis of social, political and economic trends, as well as a cultural, interreligious and academic meeting place in Spain’s capital. It is equipped with every comfort, audiovisual resources and facilities to host a first-class Gathering.
On Friday, May 8, the 75th Anniversary celebration dinner will take place in the halls of the NH Ventas Hotel, near the bullring and very well connected due to its proximity to the M-30, the city’s main ring road.
On Saturday, May 9, a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid. Following this, an optional guided excursion to the city of Toledo has been organized, including a visit to the Cathedral, lunch, and free time to explore the city, which was Spain’s capital during the Visigothic dinasty.
May in Madrid usually brings a high number of events and visitors, so we recommend booking hotels as far in advance as possible. There is a wide range of accommodation; in addition, we have arranged with two four-star hotels to reserve 50 rooms in each, at an affordable price for early registration. Details can be found in the registration form available on this site.
It is recommended business attire for the Gathering and for the anniversary dinner, jacket and tie for gentlemen and formal wear for ladies. For Saturday’s program, comfortable attire is advised.
The weather in Madrid in May is spring-like and variable, with daytime temperatures between 15 °C and 25 °C and the possibility of scattered showers.
In the registration form, which is mandatory for each person attending the Gathering, please select the following options as applicable:
1. Attendance to the meeting of UNIAPAC national leaders, reserved for members.
2. Attendance to the welcome cocktail (cost included in the Gathering registration).
3. Need for simultaneous translation (cost included in the Gathering registration).
4. Optional attendance to the anniversary dinner (additional cost NOT included in the Gathering registration).
5. Optional attendance to the Toledo visit (additional cost NOT included in the Gathering registration).
The registration fee includes a discount for early registration before January 31, 2026, and also for ASE and UNIAPAC members who are up to date with their dues.
We wish to thank our sponsors—both individuals and companies—for their valuable contributions, which have helped lower the registration cost for the Gathering. Those interested may contact ASE ([email protected]), with the reference “Sponsorship Gathering 2026”.
We look forward to welcoming you all in Madrid, hoping that the Gathering of Christian Entrepreneurs and Executives convened by ASE to celebrate its 75th Anniversary will be a forum to discuss and share the issues that matter to business leaders and professionals who seek to bring the Christian faith into their work.
75 years of Christian business commitment to Spanish society (1951–2026)
Business Excellence, Common Good and Solidarity: Keys to Successful Sustainability
Opening & Welcome
Pablo VI Foundation – Paseo de Juan XXIII, 3 – Madrid
Registration will take place on May 7 and 8 at 15:00 and 08:30 respectively.
(Members only)
Working session for leaders of UNIAPAC International’s member organizations.
Duration: 3h
Open to all Gathering attendees. Informal networking space to connect with participants.
Until 21:00
Main Conference Day
Pablo VI Foundation – Auditorium
Registration continues from Thursday, the 7th
Welcome address
The Most Rev. Ginés Ramón García Beltrán is currently Bishop of the Diocese of Getafe (Madrid).
He entered the major seminary of Almería in 1979. Bachelor in Theology from the Faculty of Theology of Granada (1984). He was ordained a priest on September 20, 1985.
He holds a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1986).
He carried out his priestly ministry in the Diocese of Almería. On December 3, 2009, Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Guadix. He was consecrated bishop on February 27, 2010. On January 3, 2018, he was appointment as Bishop of Getafe.
Within the Spanish Bishops’ Conference he has served on the Executive Committee since March 2020. He was President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications from 2014 to 2020. He also served as national chaplain of the Catholic Association of Propagandists (ACdP) from February 2016 to July 2020.
He was appointed by Pope Francis on July 13, 2016 as a member of the Secretariat for Communication of the Holy See.
Keynote
She is President of UNIAPAC since 2024, previously President of UNIAPAC Europe. She has held various board positions in Belgium, Europe, and the UNIAPAC Foundation. Her professional career has focused on management consulting, executive search, and coaching. After starting in strategy consulting, she developed expertise in the art of inquiry and C-suite relationship management as a partner at two global executive search firms.
She firmly believes in the integral development of the human person through work and seeks to contribute to business as a noble vocation.
Keynote
Until 15:30
Keynote
“Training Christian entrepreneurs and executives in the age of artificial intelligence”
Civil Engineer, PhD candidate in Artificial Intelligence with studies in philosophy and theology, he has founded dozens of educational centers in Spain and Latin America. Trustee of the Vatican RenAIssance Foundation, founder of AI-based educational apps (Supercademy, AI2Learn, IACampus, ChatLumen), and founder-president of the Digital Catholic University of Guadalupe, he promotes Catholic education.
Keynote
“Faith in Action: Driving social change through pastoral guidance”
Graduate in Economics from Roma Tre University and Professor of Political Economy at the Auxilium Faculty of Education.
In 2018 she participated as an auditor at the Synod on “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment”. From 2019 to 2024 she served as Councillor of the State of Vatican City.
She has collaborated with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and on February 11, 2025, Pope Francis appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli a member of the Commission for Donations to the Holy See.
On June 12, 2023, he was appointed as Archbishop of Madrid. On July 8 of the same year, he began his episcopal ministry as archbishop of this see.
Created Cardinal on September 30, 2023, at the Consistory for the creation of new cardinals announced by Pope Francis on July 9.
On September 9, 2023, he was appointed as a member of the Dicastery for Bishops, and on October 4, he was appointed as a member of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.
On March 1, 2024, he was appointed ordinary cardinal for Eastern-rite Catholic faithful residing in Spain.
On October 22, 2024, he was also appointed a member of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.
(Registration required)
Celebratory dinner to commemorate 75 years of Acción Social Empresarial.
Duration: Until 23:00 (11 PM)
Holy Mass and Excursion
Madrid – Toledo
For all Gathering attendees | Presided by His Eminence José Cobo Cano
(Registration required)
Guided tour of Spain’s Primate Cathedral
Return by bus back to Madrid
SPEAKERS AT THE GATHERING
Participants listed in alphabetical order
In 2022, Mons. Argüello was appointed Archbishop of Valladolid by Pope Francis, and on July 30 he took office as the new archbishop of the diocese.
Since 2024 he has been President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference.
He served as Secretary General from 2018 to 2022. From 2022 to 2024 he was also a member of the Commission for the Clergy and Seminaries, of the Standing Committee, and responsible for the Vocational Pastoral Service of the Episcopal Conference. He was also a member of the Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Ministry and of the Episcopal Commission for Seminaries and Universities (2017–2018).
Joey Avellana is a member of the Board of Directors of UNIAPAC INTERNATIONAL, representing Asia-Pacific.
An advertising and marketing professional, Joey is also past president and currently a member of the Board of Directors of the BROTHERHOOD OF CHRISTIAN BUSINESSMEN AND PROFESSIONALS, UNIAPAC’s member association in the Philippines.
Joey chaired the Organizing Committee of the 28th UNIAPAC World Congress in Manila in October 2024.
He earned a degree in Civil Law from the Complutense University of Madrid in 1988, the same year he entered the Conciliar Seminary of La Inmaculada y San Dámaso, where he completed ecclesiastical studies in Theology.
He has taught at the School for Pastoral Agents of Madrid (1996–2000) and at the Social Studies Center of Caritas Diocesana of Madrid (2000–2012).
In June 2015 he was appointed episcopal vicar of Vicariate II Northeast and, since December of that year, a member of the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
On December 29, 2017, his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Madrid was made public, assigning him the titular see of Beatia (Baeza, Biatiensis), under the metropolitan see of Seville. He received episcopal ordination on February 17, 2018, at the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena.
On June 12, 2023, his appointment as Archbishop of Madrid was made public. On July 8 of the same year, he began his episcopal ministry as archbishop of this see.
On Saturday, September 9, his appointment as a member of the Dicastery for Bishops was made public. On Wednesday, October 4, his appointment as a member of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life was announced.
He was created cardinal on September 30, 2023.
Pope Francis appointed him ordinary for Eastern-rite Catholic faithful residing in Spain on March 1, 2024.
Pope Francis appointed him a member of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches on October 22, 2024.
Civil Engineer (UPM), PhD in Computational Mechanics. With extensive experience in educational and university leadership, he has worked at Retamar and in the Chancellery of the University of Navarra. Since September 2025 he has served as Secretary General of IESE Business School.
Benjamín Echeverría Martínez (28-11-1967)
He is a Capuchin friar. He is currently Superior of the fraternity, responsible for the Basilica of Jesús de Medinaceli in Madrid, and chaplain of the Archconfraternity of Jesús de Medinaceli. President of the Capuchin NGO SERCADE (Capuchin Service for Development) and National Chaplain of ASE since 2018.
Law degree from the Complutense University of Madrid.
International arbitrator in insurance and reinsurance by the American association ARIES.
He developed his international career at the MAPFRE Group, where he became CEO of MAPFRE International and a member of the Group’s Executive Committee.
He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of several companies in Spain and abroad and a member of the Management Board of Acción Social Empresarial (ASE).
From 2021 to 2025 he served as President of Acción Social Empresarial (ASE).
Married, father of two, and a passionate music lover.
María Dolores García Mascarell is President of the San Antonio University Foundation; she chairs the Catholic University San Antonio of Murcia and the Alma Mater Foundation of Catholic Schools. She also chairs other social and sports entities such as UCAM Murcia Basketball Club and UCAM Murcia Football Club, and is a member of the General Assembly of the Spanish Olympic Committee.
Mother of 14 children from her marriage to José Luis Mendoza Pérez, in January 1991 she was sent on mission with her family to the Dominican Republic by His Holiness Pope Saint John Paul II, working in areas of poverty and helping to establish the Redemptoris Mater International Seminary in Santo Domingo. Upon returning, together with her husband, she founded the Catholic University of Murcia.
In 2007 she was decorated, together with José Luis Mendoza, by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI with the Order of St. Gregory the Great. In 2012 she received an Honorary Doctorate from the Redemptoris Mater Faculty of Theology in Lima (Peru).
Born on October 3, 1961, in Huércal-Overa (Almería). In 1979 he entered the major seminary of Almería. Bachelor in Theology from the Faculty of Theology of Granada (1984).
He was ordained a priest on September 20, 1985. He holds a licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1986).
He carried out his priestly ministry in the Diocese of Almería.
On December 3, 2009, Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Guadix. On February 27, 2010, he was consecrated bishop. On January 3, 2018, his appointment as Bishop of Getafe was made public.
At the Spanish Episcopal Conference he has been a member of the Executive Committee since March 2020.
He served as President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications from 2014 to 2020. He was also National Chaplain of the Catholic Association of Propagandists (ACdP) from February 2016 to July 2020.
On July 13, 2016, Pope Francis appointed him a member of the Secretariat for Communication of the Holy See.
Economist, entrepreneur and philanthropist, with more than 20 years of experience at AXA Financial Group, a recognized leader in the financial services industry. Founder of Vista Alta, a company focused on developing businesses with social and environmental impact. Co-founder of the PhilantroGuia foundation. Very active in the Catholic Church in Miami through various ministries.
Degree in Business Administration with postgraduate studies at INSEAD and London Business School.
She has more than thirty years of experience in the insurance sector both nationally and internationally.
She is currently an Independent Director at CNA Insurance Company Europe, where she chairs the Risk Committee.
Throughout her career she has been a Board member of SECOT and an Independent Director of MAPFRE International and MAPFRE Asistencia.
A committed supporter of ASE’s mission, she has been part of its Management Board since 2014.
Aeronautical engineer, founder and president of Grupo Alibérico, president of CEMAES, and president of the Social Council of the URJC. He has also served as president of IFEMA, of ADEFAM, and as vice-president of CEIM and of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce. Gold Medal of the Madrid City Council and Encomienda of the Community of Madrid.
Lawyer specializing in business law. Founding partner of the firm Jiménez-Muñoz & Garnica, Abogados, and secretary of the Negotiating Committee for the Collective Agreement of the Wood Sector of the Community of Madrid. He has been a lecturer in the Master’s in International Advocacy at ISDE and in the EROI Incubator program at UFV. Speaker at various programs, conferences and seminars on current legal and business topics.
Sigrid Jans Marz has served as President of UNIAPAC since 2024. She assumed this role after previously serving as President of UNIAPAC Europe. Earlier, she held various board positions in Belgium, at the European level, and at the UNIAPAC Foundation.
Sigrid has dedicated her professional career to management consulting, executive search, and coaching. After starting out in strategy consulting, she honed her skills in the art of inquiry and senior-leadership relationship management as a partner at two global executive-search firms.
Sigrid firmly believes in the integral development of the human person through work and seeks to contribute to business as a noble vocation—facilitating structural and process change toward an innovative and inclusive economy that aims to create wealth with good products and good work for all, where leading companies transform so that the image of a successful business is truly human and sustainable for us, our planet today, and future generations.
Ricardo Palomo is Full Professor of Financial Economics and Dean of the School of Economics and Business at CEU San Pablo University, where he leads the MOEVE-Digital Chair. Since 2025 he has been Co-Director of CEU-INTEDE (Institute for Innovation, Digital Transformation, Business and Defense).
As the Rector’s Delegate for Digital Transformation and Director of CEU Digital, he has driven the technology-innovation strategy in the university sphere. He is Vice President of the Foundation for Financial Innovation and the Digital Economy (FIFED), a Board Member of OdiseIA —the Observatory on the Social and Ethical Impact of Artificial Intelligence—, and co-leads the Research and Technology Transfer Committee of the Alastria Blockchain Ecosystem, as well as a Partner at rAIgth.ai. He also serves as Director of the Innovation and Technology Cell at MESIAS — Spain Brand Intelligence, is a Member of the Observatory for Justice and Competitiveness of the Community of Madrid, and has been on the Steering Committee of HAZ (Alliance for Education).
He was Director of the “José Barea” Chair at the Institute for Fiscal Studies of the Ministry of Finance, a Visiting Professor at Boston University, and a member of boards of financial institutions. With an extensive track record in digital innovation, tech ethics, and the social economy, he is a frequent speaker and has received multiple awards, including recognition by Actualidad Económica as one of the 100 best ideas of the year.
Attorney with over 30 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, especially in transactions involving listed companies. He has taken part in some of Spain’s major takeovers and privatizations, such as AENA, Endesa, Naturgy, and Mediaset.
He holds degrees in Economics (CUNEF), Law, and Mathematics (UNED), combining solid technical training with a distinguished career in the corporate and financial arena.
He is a trustee of several foundations, including the Princess of Girona Foundation and the Margarita Salas Foundation, and serves on the advisory boards of institutions such as CUNEF and the Teatro Real.
Recognized by international publications such as Chambers, Legal 500, and Best Lawyers, he has been named “Lawyer of the Year” on multiple occasions in different areas of business law.
Juan Antonio Perteguer Muñoz, Civil Engineer, PhD candidate in Artificial Intelligence with studies in philosophy and theology, has founded dozens of educational centers in Spain and Latin America.
Trustee of the Vatican RenAIssance Foundation, founder of AI-powered educational applications (Supercademy, AI2Learn, IACampus, ChatLumen), and founder-president of the Catholic Digital University of Guadalupe, he actively promotes Catholic education.
Daniel Sada holds a degree in Economics and Business from the Complutense University of Madrid, a Master’s in Philosophy from Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, and a PhD in Law from CEU San Pablo University, with a dissertation on G.K. Chesterton and English Distributism.
He has held prominent roles in the public and academic sectors, including Director-General for Volunteering and Development Cooperation in the Community of Madrid, the Carolina Foundation, and he is a trustee of the Integra Foundation.
Since 2003 he has served as Rector of Universidad Francisco de Vitoria and as Vice President of the Regnum Christi International University Network, which comprises 16 universities across 5 countries.
He is married and the father of four children.
Industrial Engineer. He has served on the Management Board of Caja Laboral since 1983, on the Standing Committee of the MONDRAGON Corporation, on the Steering Committee of MONDRAGON Investments and of the MONDRAGON Foundation. He has also been a Director of Seguros Lagun Aro and Lagun Aro Vida, and of Servired and Sermepa, as well as President of the Gaztempresa Foundation. Member of the Economic Affairs Council of the Diocese of Bilbao.
Graduated in Economics from Roma Tre University in 2001 and earned a PhD in Political Economy from La Sapienza University of Rome. Tenured Professor of Political Economy at the Auxilium Faculty of Education.
In 2018 she participated as an auditor at the Synod on “Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment.” From 2019 to 2024 she served as Councillor of State of Vatican City. She has collaborated with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development as Coordinator of the Economy Working Group of the Vatican COVID-19 Commission, and on 11 February 2025 Pope Francis established the Commission for Donations to the Holy See (Commissio de Donationibus pro Sancta Sede) and appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli as a member of the Commission.
Fribourg (Switzerland), 1945. Economist. Secretary-General of UNIAPAC (1974–1981). Executive at MAPFRE, where he served until 2008 as one of the Group’s Vice-Chairmen and continued as a trustee of Fundación MAPFRE until 2015.
President of the Centesimus Annus pro Pontifice Foundation (2009–2019). Director of the permanent seminar of the Pablo VI Foundation (2019–2025). Founding member of the VSF solidarity accelerator.
A Portuguese Jesuit priest, his research and work have focused on the Church’s social teaching and the management of cultural institutions.
As Director of the Maputo campus of the Catholic University of Mozambique and President and CEO of Brotéria, Father Mota has overseen the launch, planning, and operational management of both institutions.
He is currently the Provincial Administrator of the Jesuits in Portugal.
This gathering is sponsored by:
MAPFRE is a global insurer of Spanish origin. It is Spain’s largest insurer and a leading insurance group in Latin America, specializing in insurance and financial services for individuals, families, and companies.
It offers a wide range of coverages, including auto, health, home, life, and accident insurance, as well as roadside assistance and other financial products.
Samu is an organization based in Seville specializing in health services, social action, and education, among others. It has more than 3,000 employees across 120 centers in five countries, including the United States. It also runs a very active foundation supporting people in vulnerable situations, benefiting thousands every year through its social programs. Samu is a company that strongly lives values such as decent employment, friendship, equal opportunity, communication, transparency, appropriate working environments, talent development, and family support. Its principles are geared toward the common good and fully align with Catholic Social Teaching. Many of its executives are ASE members.
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria is a higher-education institution with over 30 years of history that promotes training through a comprehensive educational program, “Form to Transform,” based on the formation and accompaniment of professionals in both their individual and social dimensions. Through their training and leadership, they foster the transformation of society and culture. On its Madrid campus, UFV offers more than 55 undergraduate and dual-degree programs and has around 12,000 students. UFV’s Graduate School and Continuing Education offers a wide range of Official Master’s Degrees, Doctorates, and proprietary qualifications across all fields of knowledge, as well as higher vocational programs. UFV focuses on human growth so that the reflective, well-prepared, and exemplary people society needs can flourish—leaders with a vocation for service called to improve today’s world. To be leaders of the “Human Revolution.”
The Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) participates as a Sponsor of the National Gathering of Entrepreneurs and Executives of Acción Social Empresarial (ASE) on its 75th anniversary, under the theme “Business Excellence, the Common Good, and Solidarity: Keys to Sustainable Success.” As an institutional partner and member of ASE’s Management Board, UCAM maintains a firm commitment to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, promoting a responsible, sustainable economy oriented toward the common good. This collaboration reflects its mission to form value-driven leaders capable of integrating business, innovation, and social commitment.
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IMPORTANT — before opening the registration form, please note:
“The following registration form is individual to each attendee (one registration form per attendee). If you wish to attend the Anniversary Dinner or the Toledo visit with an accompanying person, you must indicate this in the sections provided in this form.”
Pricing:
