Ana Patricia Botín-Sanz de Sautuola O’Shea, born on October 4, 1960, in Santander, Spain, is one of the most powerful and influential women in global finance. She comes from a prominent banking family; her father, Emilio Botín, was the previous chairman of Banco Santander. Ana Botín studied economics at Bryn Mawr College in the United States and later completed a management program at Harvard University.

Botín began her career in finance at JP Morgan in New York before returning to Spain to join Banco Santander in 1988. Her career quickly ascended within the bank, where she played pivotal roles in expanding its global presence, particularly in Latin America and the UK. In 2010, she became the CEO of Santander UK, where she successfully navigated the bank through the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

In 2014, following the death of her father, Ana Botín was appointed Executive Chairman of Banco Santander, becoming the first woman to hold this position. Under her leadership, the bank has focused on digital transformation, innovation, and expanding its services globally, especially in Europe and Latin America. She has also prioritized responsible banking, sustainability, and financial inclusion, aiming to make Banco Santander a leader in green financing and socially responsible investment.

Ana Botín is widely respected not only for her business acumen but also for her dedication to promoting gender equality and diversity in the workplace. She has been a strong advocate for empowering women in leadership positions and is involved in various initiatives that support education and entrepreneurship for women and young people.

Her contributions to finance have earned her numerous accolades, including being repeatedly listed among the most powerful women in the world by Forbes and Fortune.