Lola Casal Sanchez .

Area of work:
Sociology, Social Work, and Project Management.

Specific field of expertise:
Intercultural ageing, DEI policies (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), gender, and organisational transformation.

Type of work:
Program Manager, Doctoral Researcher, and Consultant.

What does ENIEC mean to you or your work?:
ENIEC is my European compass; a space where social innovation and human warmth meet to ensure that ageing is truly a right for everyone, regardless of their background.

More about Lola

My career has always been a journey between social action and strategic management. As a sociologist and social worker, my fascination with human diversity led me to live and work in various countries, learning that true inclusion requires both deep empathy and impeccable management.

Currently, I balance my role as Program Manager at Fundación Diversidad, where I promote the Diversity Charter in Spain and advise organisations on their DEI strategies, with my PhD research at the Complutense University of Madrid. My doctoral research reflects my lifelong commitment: generating scientific knowledge to improve the lives of older people through an intersectional and intercultural lens.

In my daily work, I apply the rigor of Project Management and operational innovation to transform environments. I firmly believe in connecting an "agile mindset" with the needs of the social sector. For me, the key is "looking differently at the same thing."

My history with ENIEC ENIEC is much more than a professional network to me; it is a community of purpose. Having had the honor of serving as the Chair of ENIEC, I was able to lead fundamental conversations about ageism and diversity across Europe. Since my very first meeting, I understood that ENIEC is the necessary bridge to ensure that intercultural care stops being an exception and becomes the norm.

What I value most about our annual meetings is not just the exchange of best practices, but the human bond. In ENIEC, we are fellow travelers first and experts second. As an active member, my goal remains to contribute my strategic vision and my passion for research so that our network continues to be the European benchmark for diverse ageing.

"Understanding diversity is not an option; it is the only way to design a future where everyone counts."