Pedro Sáez Martínez

Founder of Monnou · Strategic designer, researcher and professor

Models of enterprise, of economy, of territory, which satisfy the social foundation while not exceeding the planetary boundaries. I am aware that this is an ambitious horizon. That it is not easy even to begin moving towards it. And yet, my entire trajectory has been shaped by this vision, and I have been able to witness meaningful changes and important progress along the way. Let me tell you a bit more.

In my story, Development Cooperation marked a turning point: understanding how an entire territory can be activated to drive real, sustainable transformations—and how communication is key in this process. This is how I developed a sensitivity to contexts of social and economic vulnerability, and oriented my path towards Social Innovation.

From Development Cooperation, and through Social Design, my next step was shaped by the startup world, corporate innovation and entrepreneurship. I began in R&D, and soon moved into providing strategic design consultancy for organisations. The transition to sustainability is not easy, but sometimes it begins with very small steps—such as slightly rethinking a portfolio of products and services, or a brand’s positioning—and this already sets a change of direction in motion.

That is the direction I seek to move towards, and—with creativity and strategy—to help others move from wherever they are. And from wherever I am: whether in Academia, generating and sharing knowledge (as a researcher and professor), or through consultancy and the facilitation of teams and organisations.

Balancing rigour and structure with creativity and experimentation. Placing ethics on the horizon, and understanding the current context in order to see from where, towards where, and how to walk. This is how I try, every day, to keep designing a new world.