Montaña Rodríguez-Ovejero (Madrid, 1982), international business development director at the Asturian technology company Satec, shares her name with her mother, originally from Extremadura, where “Montañas”—named in honor of the patron saint of Cáceres—are as common as “Covadongas” in Asturias. Raised in Oviedo and educated at San Ignacio, this professional believes her name aligns perfectly with the firmness of her character, a quality that may have earned her the “Executive Woman” award at the 2024 edition of the Federation of Businesswomen and Female Executives of Asturias (FEDA) awards, to be presented on October 10 in Pola de Siero. Moreover, Rodríguez-Ovejero physically cultivates this firmness through her yoga routines, where one pose, “Tadasana,” means Mountain.

How do you feel about this recognition from FEDA?

Very excited and surprised. This is an important stage for me. I see it as a challenge in my professional life. I have always been a committed, persuasive, and positive person, always striving to improve and create value. That is why it is such an honor to receive this award and to be a role model for other women. FEDA is an organization that makes the invisible visible, works as a team, and has a long-term vision. It represents many exemplary female executives and entrepreneurs who work with courage and perseverance.

You live between Madrid and Brussels, and your job involves a lot of travel: Was gaining international experience in your academic career important?

Absolutely. I studied Business Administration and Management between Madrid, London, and Paris. In London, I also worked at a clothing store, and in Paris, I worked in banking. I also completed a master’s in technology and an MBA. My studies have helped me not only academically but also because I completed part of them abroad, adapting to people from different cultures and ways of thinking. I am who I am thanks to my educational journey.

Your professional career has developed entirely within Satec.

That’s right. From my perspective, it is a close and family-oriented company (she belongs to the second generation), but with the ability to bring out the best in each person, fostering internal entrepreneurship, helping you overcome the fear of failure, and working hard while having the strength to keep going. The truth is that I have learned this while working in the company—it’s a learning process as you advance along the way. You have to know how to fall and get back up to try again and again until you achieve your goal.

And what is your role as an executive?

I work closely with Satec’s various teams worldwide, which means I occasionally need to travel to the countries where we operate. In Africa, for example, we are active in Morocco, Angola, Namibia, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. My role is not to impose but, in a way, to persuade my colleagues about certain information or policies that come from Europe or other international entities. I strive to support the directors of each unit to drive those projects forward. Personally, I believe my work would have no value without the support of other departments within Satec. And by the way, I have had many female role models within the company.

Beyond Satec, how do you view the role of women in executive business positions? Are there advances?

Society is increasingly offering more professional development opportunities for women, but we are often the first ones to set up barriers for ourselves. We need to overcome our internal fears—that’s the biggest hurdle.

And how can this be overcome?

There are already working groups or initiatives that promote women, but it’s necessary to continue developing ideas that strengthen or expand their roles in business leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation, as well as their leadership in corporate organizations. In any case, the future is in our hands. Women must have the strength and, at the same time, the ability to adapt to the continuous changes in society.

How do you see Asturias?

Thanks to the company I work for, my heart is always in Asturias. Regarding women’s presence in business, I think the region is a reference point for initiatives like FEDA, which aim to be leaders of change. From Brussels, where I live, Asturias is well-known and has an excellent reputation thanks to its people, its companies, and its ongoing economic transformation. For example, two months ago, there was an event here about the water management sector, and Asturias was mentioned as a fantastic example of coordination between companies and the administration.

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