Ana Palacio made history by becoming the first woman to hold the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs in Spain, serving from 2002 to 2004. During her tenure, she supported the stance of the government led by José María Aznar at the United Nations Security Council, gaining worldwide recognition. In 2004, The Wall Street Journal included her among the 75 most influential opinion leaders and as one of the 12 prominent figures in the business arena.
Her international influence was further solidified in 2006 when she was appointed Vice President of the World Bank, a position she held until 2008. Throughout her political career, she has excelled in foreign policy, security, international relations, and the European Union. Since 2012, she has been a member of the Council of State of Spain.
In addition to her distinguished political career, Ana Palacio is a prominent lawyer and founding partner of the Palacio y Asociados law firm, with offices in Madrid, Brussels, and Washington. She has served as an advisor and executive in sectors such as energy and the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, she has been a board member of PharmaMar since 2009, an independent director of Enagás since 2014, and a member of the advisory committees of Investcorp and Office Crérifien des Phosphates.
She actively participates in international forums such as the Ambrossetti Forum, the Milken Institute, and the German Marshall Fund. Additionally, she is a member of the Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum and the Council of the Atlantic Council of the United States. Her commitment to strategic thinking is reflected in her involvement in the boards of various think tanks and public institutions.
In recognition of her outstanding work, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Georgetown University in 2009, where she has been a professor since 2014. She has taught at the European College of Parma and Yale University, and she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Instituto de Empresa. Ana Palacio regularly contributes opinion articles to various media outlets, being a frequent collaborator with Project Syndicate.
