The Viana 50 Cultural Space hosted yesterday, July 30th, the presentation ceremony of the 1st CEOE Tenerife – ULL Alumni Excellent Entrepreneur Award, which recognized the career of María Victoria López Fuentes, president of the Fedola Group, for its contribution to the business fabric of the Canary Islands, its leadership in different economic sectors and its firm commitment to innovation, the territory and the role of women in business.
This new award, promoted by the Association of Former Students and Friends of the University of La Laguna (ULL Alumni) together with CEOE Tenerife, The award was created with the aim of annually recognizing graduates of the University of La Laguna whose entrepreneurial work has had a significant impact. In this first edition, Victoria López Fuentes's candidacy was unanimously selected by the jury.
The president of Alumni ULL, Luis Ortigosa Castillo, detailed how this initiative, launched at the end of last year in collaboration with CEOE Tenerife, came about. He explained that it is a recognition intended to highlight the work of those who, having been educated at this academic center, excel in the business world and carry out their work with excellence, a critical spirit, and a commitment to the community.
Ortigosa also reviewed the award's criteria, which include education at the University of La Laguna (ULL), business experience, contribution to social development, and advocacy for university values. She then gave a lengthy presentation of the award recipient, tracing her career from her beginnings as a self-employed entrepreneur in 1996 to her presidency of the Fedola Group, a business conglomerate that has successfully diversified and established itself as a leading company in the Canary Islands. She recalled meeting Victoria López in her early business ventures and shared the evolution of her family business, highlighting the effort, humility, and perseverance that have characterized her leadership.
Furthermore, he highlighted the important role she has played in organizations such as Ashotel, the Chamber of Commerce, the CES, and the Tourism Council, as well as her involvement in teaching in the fields of tourism and business training. He stated that her profile clearly represents the spirit that inspires this new award.
Representing the University of La Laguna was the Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation, Vicente Blanco Pérez, who conveyed the Rector's team's support for the initiative. Although Rector Francisco García was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict with other official events, Blanco emphasized the importance of publicly recognizing the achievements of alumni who, like Victoria López, exemplify the transformative power of public universities in the Canary Islands.
The highlight of the ceremony was the award presentation. In her acceptance speech, the businesswoman expressed her emotion at receiving this recognition from an institution to which she is connected not only through her education but also through a shared vision of the value of knowledge as an engine of progress. She emphasized the importance of investing in young talent, sustainable innovation, and teamwork as keys to business growth. She also conveyed the need to promote female entrepreneurship and to break down the barriers that still exist.
He argued that knowledge is power, but that this power must always be put at the service of collective development and with social responsibility.
The event continued with the presentation entitled 'Women's Entrepreneurship: From Snow White to Merida', given by Carmen Inés Ruiz de la Rosa, The Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism at the University of La Laguna (ULL), through a symbolic lens, explored the evolution of female leadership models within a cultural and historical context marked by stereotypes. In contrast to passive figures of the past, such as those associated with Snow White, she proposed the example of Merida, a character who symbolizes autonomy, struggle, and defiance of established norms, as an emblem of the modern female entrepreneur.
In her remarks, she argued that it is essential to continue fostering an environment that allows for the full development of projects led by women, and she praised the role of businesswomen like Victoria López as role models who break glass ceilings and pave the way for new generations. She also valued the increased visibility of female role models, as their example promotes true equality in still heavily male-dominated environments.
ULL Polyphonic Choir.
The event concluded with a performance by Polyphonic Choir of the University of La Laguna, who performed three pieces selected for the occasion and closed with an encore at the audience's request. Her performance provided the artistic finale to an afternoon of institutional recognition, collective reflection, and celebration of business excellence.
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