Dr. Gabriela Gerón-Piñón is a strategist, innovator, entrepreneur, and academic professional with over 27 years of experience in international higher education. Her research is focused on how technology supports the international competitiveness of universities and helps their students succeed, participating actively in research groups related to information systems, accreditations, rankings, educational innovation, edtech, mobility programs, and lifelong learning initiatives.
She has received international awards in recognition of the different initiatives that she promotes globally such as Premio Mujer Tec 2024, Woman Leader of America 2023, Rising Stars Most Powerful Latina Awards ALPFA 2022 among others. Because of her innovative and impactful work implementing multiple initiatives of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Virtual Mobility Programs, Entrepreneurship & STEM initiatives, Virtual Research Opportunities, Internships for Latino students, she was shortlisted as one of the finalists for the 2024 PIEoneer Awards for “Outstanding contribution to the industry.” This category recognizes individuals who have helped evolve or shape the global education sector in a significant way.
Dr. Gerón-Piñón holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a focus on IT Management in Higher Education Institutions from Universidad de Cantabria, Spain. Her Master of Science in Quality Systems and Bachelor of Industrial Engineer and Systems are from Tec de Monterrey, Mexico. Her dissertation granted the 2018 Innovation, Technology and Industry Award by the Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Titulados Mercantiles y Empresariales de Cantabria for her contribution to Latin America internationalization and her. She was part of the Women in Education Leadership Program at Harvard University Graduate School of Education, cohort 2017 and participated as part of the group of visionary leaders for digital transformation at UNESCO in Paris, May 2017. Dr. Geron is the founder of Connecting Iberoamerica, a company that conducts research and provides strategic consultancy to international organizations, companies and universities that want to increase their international competitiveness in the region. Previously, she served as the Director of Partnerships, Innovation, and Communications at the University of Miami, Engagement Strategy Director, Operations Manager and Solutions Consultant at Ellucian working with more than 50 universities in Latin America.
Dr. Geron has served as Consultant of Universidad de Monterrey and Planning Director of Tec de Monterrey in Mexico. She was faculty member of institutions in Mexico such as Universidad de Monterrey and Instituto Culinario de Mexico. She was a Mentor at the Virtual Incubator (Entrepreneurship Program) at Tec de Monterrey. She is an individual contributor of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), Associate Researcher of Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM), reviewer of international journals and collaborate with universities, international organizations and initiatives to connect with universities in Ibero-America.
Her areas of expertise include international higher education, strategic planning, go to market strategy, project management, operations, client engagement, solutions consulting, technology evangelist and research.
Her specialties are in technological trends, institutional accreditation, international rankings, quality systems, online learning, institutional effectiveness and higher education technology management.
Dr. Gerón-Piñón is a speaker at international conferences, author of academic papers, chapter books and blogs. She is currently leading strategic initiatives and high-profile global engagement programs with universities, international organizations, NGOs, private, and public sector across the globe.
