Last updated: August 13, 2026
Madrid, Spain – November 11, 2024. Zavala Civitas is pleased to announce the appointment of Beatriz Baker Araujo as Senior Advisor. Beatriz brings 40 years of experience advising corporations and boards on best practices in corporate governance, with a focus on stakeholder governance and sustainability. Her extensive background further strengthens Zavala Civitas’s expertise in these essential areas.
Key Credentials at a Glance
| Credential | Detail |
|---|---|
| Experience in corporate governance advisory | 40 years — corporations and boards, M&A and ESG |
| Previous firm / leadership role | Baker McKenzie — Corporate Governance Team lead; Global Executive Committee member |
| International recognition | Euromoney Best in Corporate Governance; Acritas Star; Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer |
| World Economic Forum roles | Strategy Officer 2012–2014; Co-chair, Global Future Council on Responsible Investing |
A Legacy of Leadership and Expertise
Beatriz joins Zavala Civitas after a distinguished career at Baker McKenzie, where she led the Corporate Governance team and held various leadership positions, including serving on the firm’s Global Executive Committee. A respected lawyer, she has earned numerous accolades including Euromoney’s Best in Corporate Governance, Acritas Star, and recognition as a Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer. Her contributions also include a role as Strategy Officer with the World Economic Forum from 2012 to 2014, and she currently co-chairs its Global Future Council on Responsible Investing and has participated actively in the Climate Governance Community of Experts. She serves as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Instituto Português de Corporate Governance.
Commitment to Education and Thought Leadership
Beyond her corporate roles, Beatriz is a committed thought leader in corporate governance education. She is head tutor of Governance for a Sustainable Future at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and has co-authored two White Papers for the World Economic Forum on behalf of Baker McKenzie. Her educational background includes an INSEAD International Directors Programme Certificate in Corporate Governance. Beatriz actively supports non-profit initiatives as a former Trustee and Chairman at Canning House and as a member of the UN Global Compact’s Transformational Governance Think Lab. Beatriz holds a First-Class Honours BA from Cambridge University and an MA. She has also completed Berkeley Law Executive Education’s programme in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG.
Enhancing Zavala Civitas’ Advisory Services
In her role as Senior Advisor, Beatriz will concentrate on enhancing Zavala Civitas’s Professional Services practice, with a strong commitment to develop the firm’s capability to deliver advisory services within corporate governance and executive talent acquisition within the professional services vertical — helping deliver more value to clients in the legal, governance, and ESG space.
“I’m excited to join Zavala Civitas and collaborate with the team to deliver impactful solutions and value add for our clients.” — Beatriz Baker Araujo
“Having Beatriz join us is a significant step forward for our firm. Her rich experience in ESG, Corporate Governance and Professional Services leadership is of tremendous value, and this underscores our commitment to our Professional Services vertical, especially our legal clients.” — Fernando Zavala, Partner, Zavala Civitas
About Zavala Civitas: Zavala Civitas is an executive search firm specialising in identifying and developing leadership talent for clients across various industries. The firm delivers bespoke solutions and top quality, helping organisations build robust leadership teams that drive sustainable growth and continued success.
Seeking governance, ESG, or legal executive advisory?
Zavala Civitas’s professional services and legal practice is now strengthened by Beatriz Baker Araujo’s 40 years of board-level governance expertise. 92% closing rate.
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