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Our Team

IE CENTER FOR FAMILIES IN BUSINESS

The IE Center for Families in Business is an active community of academics and experts who generate cutting-edge and practical knowledge for the benefit of families in business, their stakeholders, and society at large.

We believe that the true challenge is not simply ensuring the continuity of the business under family control, but to create lasting value across generations. We recognize family owners, not just family business, as the engine for long-term wealth creation.

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MEET OUR DIRECTOR

Cristina Cruz, PhD – Director of the IE Center for Families in Business

Cristina Cruz is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Academic Director of the IE Center for Families in Business. She holds a PhD in Economics from Carlos III University of Madri

Her research focuses on understanding the decision-making processes of business families and family-owned firms. Her studies on corporate governance, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship in this context have been published in leading academic management journals. In recognition of her research, she has received several national and international awards and currently serves as Associate Editor of Family Business Review.

As Director of the IE Center for Families in Business, Dr. Cruz leads numerous applied research projects aimed at helping business families overcome their greatest challenge: creating value across generations—often in collaboration with other institutions and global partners.

FACULTY

COLLABORATORS