President Elect
Instituto de la Ingenieria de Espana

Former Executive Vice President of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations and Past President of the Institute of Engineering of Spain, María Jesús Prieto-Lafargue is a prominent figure in the international arena of communications technology and international business.

Beginning her career in research and technical methodology with Telefónica de España, she was soon elevated to the positions of Commercial Manager and Director of Projects. In 1987 she was named National Manager of Telefónica Systems, and in 1991, Director General of the Sistelcom Consortium formed by the Banco Central Hispano group.
Appointed Assistant to the President of Unión Fenosa Investments (Spanish energy company) in 1994, two years later Prieto Laffargue was chosen by the Spanish government for the top position at the Instituto Nacional de Meteorología, a branch of the Ministry of the Environment.

Having served on boards advising national and international companies and organizations in telecommunications, energy, aerospace and transportation, she also collaborated with the Universities of Madrid, Barcelona and Navarra. She was professor of Chamber of Commerce and Industry and author of numerous articles and is currently a member of the Spanish chapter of the prestigious Club of Rome think tank.

Besides her work as a delegate of the Spanish government to several European and world organizations, Prieto Laffargue has served and is currently active in a group of select experts preparing for the United Nations work on the Summit on Sustainable Development. Another significant activity connected to the United Nations is her participation in the World Summit on the Information Society for which she will be a principal speaker.
The devoted mother of four accomplished children, Prieto Laffargue lives in Madrid, Spain.

DEGREES/TITLES:
M.B.A., Universidad de Navarra, Spain
Certificate – Internacional Finance
Ph.D., Universidad de Navarra, Spain,
Telecommunications and Engineering
Universidad Politécnica, Madrid, Spain

AWARDS:
Medal of Honor, European Women´s Management Network, Spanish Executive of the Year, 1994, Chamber of Commerce of Madrid, Medal of Honor, Institutión Universitaria de Mississippi, Medal of Honor, Charter 2000 and recognitions by various Spanish, European and American organizations