News & Events
Gipuzkoa debates its business future from a female perspective
Today, three leading executives, Idoia Azaldegui Alba (POLYMAT), Nerea Aranguren (DANOBATGROUP), and Iratxe Pascual (ASPEGI) joined Hoy por Hoy San Sebastián on Cadena SER Euskadi to discuss the first “La voz de las premiadas ASPEGI” Forum and the key challenges facing companies in Gipuzkoa.
During the interview, they highlighted several major issues shaping today’s business landscape: internationalization, the impact of global uncertainty, and the growing role of digitalization and artificial intelligence. As Aranguren explained, companies with a strong international presence are directly affected by geopolitical changes, logistics, and markets such as China, while adopting AI is no longer optional for remaining competitive.
A key point, emphasized by Azaldegui, was talent. Speaking from her experience at Polymat, a highly international research environment, she stressed that the challenge is not only attracting talent but also “nurturing it”: creating the conditions for people to grow, stay, and contribute. She also noted a shift in leadership models, from traditional hierarchies to more human, participatory approaches based on listening and integration.
The conversation also addressed collaboration as a critical factor, both in science and industry, and the importance of leveraging Gipuzkoa’s ecosystem to remain competitive despite its size.
Importantly, the discussion did not shy away from the issue of gender equality. Pascual highlighted that although more women are entering the workforce, access to real positions of power remains limited. Data shared during the interview shows that women still represent a small minority in boards and executive roles. The challenge, they agreed, is not only increasing representation but also ensuring real influence in decision-making. They also pointed to structural causes, such as the low number of women in technical and industrial careers, which continues to affect leadership pipelines.
The overall message from the interview was clear: companies must navigate global challenges, embrace technological change, and invest in talent while society and organizations still have significant work ahead to achieve true equality in leadership.
