S1: Bonus Episode: Lourdes Casanova

Professor at Cornell Emerging Markets Institute of Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

A mini-interview with Professor Lourdes Casanova of Cornell Emerging Markets Institute of Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. The story of her career is a global and multicultural story.

Professor Casanova speaks seven(!) languages and received education from University of Amsterdam, University of Southern California and Universitat de Barcelona. She is the Gail and Rob Cañizares Director of Emerging Market Institute at Cornell University; Member of Steering Committee of World Economic Forum; Visiting Faculty at University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and University of Zurich among other institutions.

What experience opens the door for you to build your global career?

My Fulbright Scholarship to study in the U.S. It got my foot in the door. I first came to the U.S. in 1985. The opportunity got me teaching positions afterwards, not to mention that I made lifelong friends and mentors.

How did you choose and develop your area of expertise in your career?

My focus is the emerging market in world economy. My family had a business in coal mine. Due to the changes in the economy in Spain, coal was quickly replaced by oil and gas. The family business did not evolve or respond fast enough to the change. Serendipity always plays a role in choosing oneʼs career. Based on my personal experience, I have always been conscious of impact of the changes in the emerging market have on the economy.

What is important for young professional women to have a career and family?

Never stop working. Find support for childcare, if you can. The workplace evolves so fast these days. Covid got us all on Zoom. Once you step out of the workforce for a few years, itʼs challenging to jump right back in.