Services
Expertise
It is about you crossing the bridge to purpose
José Pons de Villanueva supports executives, families, and donors as an executive coach, independent philanthropy advisor, and German-Spanish commercial mediator on their path to finding purpose and achieving sustainable success.
Trilinigual Executive Coaching
Our Executive Coaching is designed for professionals who have come to a dead end in their career, feel undervalued, or find themselves overwhelmed but cannot afford to show it. It speaks to those who are carrying a heavy weight they do not even admit to themselves, feel unable to express what truly matters, or have lost assertiveness and become over-resilient.
Philanthropy Advisory
Our Independent Philanthropy Advisory offers dedicated support if you have inherited wealth and feel uncertain about managing money you did not earn, or if you see many possibilities but lack a clear direction for your giving. It is for those who want to develop a philanthropy strategy but do not know where to start, or are simply tired of financial advice that is strictly tied to selling specific products.
Germany-Spain Mediation
Our Germany-Spain Mediation bridges the gap when you are preparing a cross-border negotiation, need to advance a stalled discussion, or are looking for a reliable business partner in either Spain or Germany. It directly addresses situations where cultural differences are slowing down trust, communication, or decision-making, or where you face clear misunderstandings between German and Spanish teams.
Crossing Bridges to Purpose
Building a bridge to purpose requires a guide who understands both sides of the river.
Executive Coaching
It speaks to those who are carrying a heavy weight they do not even admit to themselves, feel unable to express what truly matters, or have lost assertiveness and become over-resilient.
Together, we facilitate a smooth transition from the for-profit to the non-profit sector, as well as from executive to non-executive roles, developing a profound capacity for clarity whilst identifying your professional blind spots and pain points. Our partnership serves as a trusted sounding board to help you hear your own voice amidst the noise, uncover hidden potential for sustainable growth, and formulate a concrete, actionable career plan.
Ultimately, you will gain the confidence to successfully manoeuvre complex workplace conflicts and navigate critical professional transitions.
Germany-Spain Mediation
It directly addresses situations where cultural differences are slowing down trust, communication, or decision-making, or where you face clear misunderstandings between German and Spanish teams.
Through this structured process, you will be able to enter the German or Spanish market with maximum confidence and clarify roles, interests, and expectations long before signing an agreement. We work to build lasting trust between family businesses, investors, and management teams, ensuring you can successfully navigate cross-border joint ventures, acquisitions, or strategic alliances.
By thoroughly preparing for meetings with international stakeholders, we turn cultural differences into a distinct advantage for your collaboration and lead difficult conversations toward practical, lasting agreements.
Performance and metrics
Together, we facilitate a smooth transition from the for-profit to the non-profit sector, as well as from executive to non-executive roles, developing a profound capacity for clarity whilst identifying your professional blind spots and pain points. Our partnership serves as a trusted sounding board to help you hear your own voice amidst the noise, uncover hidden potential for sustainable growth, and formulate a concrete, actionable career plan. Ultimately, you will gain the confidence to successfully manoeuvre complex workplace conflicts and navigate critical professional transitions.
If you need guidance on how to speak about wealth within your family, or if your family office or company lacks a coherent purpose and Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, this advisory provides a trusted companion to discuss ideas openly. It is also tailored for foundations needing to redefine their philanthropic strategy or make critical staffing decisions. Our collaborative work empowers you to become an educated, impactful donor right from the start of your journey and teaches you how to effectively engage your family into your donor strategy.
Through this structured process, you will be able to enter the German or Spanish market with maximum confidence and clarify roles, interests, and expectations long before signing an agreement. We work to build lasting trust between family businesses, investors, and management teams, ensuring you can successfully navigate cross-border joint ventures, acquisitions, or strategic alliances. By thoroughly preparing for meetings with international stakeholders, we turn cultural differences into a distinct advantage for your collaboration and lead difficult conversations toward practical, lasting agreements.
Pons Advisory equips High-Net-Worth Individuals with the necessary skill set to transform their wealth into a sustainable investment in their heirs’ future.
Home
Crossing the Bridge to Purpose.
It’s all about you – and your conscious journey towards clarity, growth and genuine purpose in your professional life.
Find out more
Executive Career Coaching
If you’re at a turning point in your career, or if you’re feeling restless despite outward success. Together, we’ll bring clarity to the hustle and bustle of everyday life: we’ll resolve deadlocked conflicts and develop a clear, strategic plan of action for your next milestones – including those in your career.
Philanthropy Advisory
Meaningful giving requires a clear direction. Whether you wish to use your wealth responsibly, provide strategic guidance for your family office, or develop a coherent CSR strategy for your business – I will support you, your foundation and your family on the path to an effective philanthropy strategy.
Germany-Spain Mediation
Building new bridges between two business cultures: when negotiations stall or cultural differences hinder trust, I act as a neutral mediator. I translate not only languages, but also business expectations – to ensure sustainable agreements and successful German-Spanish cooperation.
Pons Advisory supports owners and corporates between Munich and Mallorca.
We help you assess complex situations, establish clarity and stability, and drive improvements that deliver a solid, lasting impact.
Why I guide people across bridges.
As Alumni Director and Fundraiser at IESE Business School, I combine extensive experience of working with top executives, entrepreneurs and philanthropists with my solid background in engineering and the NGO sector. This in-depth understanding of leadership, wealth and responsibility enables me to provide you with sound advice – flexibly in German, English or Spanish.
Are you ready to take the next step?
Dipl.-Ing. José Félix Pons de Villanueva – Founder of Pons Advisory
Bridging leadership, legacy and resolution.
Pons Advisory works with senior leaders and families at moments of transition, offering executive coaching, independent philanthropy advice and mediation—separately or together. The Pons Advisory website will also soon be available in all three languages.
Let's talk about your ideas
Every meaningful transition begins with the decision to cross a new bridge. Let’s build yours together.
About me
Purpose
Executive Coaching, Independent Philanthropy Advisory & High Level Mediation
My professional path combines technical training, leadership experience, institutional responsibility, and deep exposure to executive decision-making.
Having studied at RWTH Aachen University and worked for twelve years as an engineer and project manager, I gained a rigorous, execution-oriented mindset and first-hand experience in complex organisations. My subsequent work in Munich led to co-founding two non-governmental organisations in Germany, both with measurable and lasting social impact.
In addition to a broader role at IESE Business School, my current position is Executive Director of IESE Stiftung Deutschland. Working for a top-ranked business school allows me to accompany many senior executives as they confront blind spots, address personal and professional challenges, and learn to grow by questioning assumptions and engaging in open, respectful dialogue.
My academic exposure includes participation in the Advanced Management Program, Executive Leadership Programs, and more than ten short executive education programs. I am also the author of the book “Un Mallorquín en Alemania”, reflecting a life lived between cultures.
I understand the particular dynamics of family businesses as well as large corporations, and I am familiar with the emotional complexity that accompanies leadership, wealth, responsibility, and giving. As a donor myself, I understand from the inside the emotional journey embedded in philanthropic decisions.
With almost fifty years of life experience in Germany and long-standing ties to Spain and the Balearic Islands, I am well positioned to deliver discreet, culturally sensitive, and resultsoriented advice.
Munich, Germany
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
My professional experience is rooted in my work at:
a) Ericsson as Telecom Engineer (1991-2003) and Project Manager managing software development projects such big as 200 engineers in fourteen countries.
b) NGO co-founder of the German Large Family Association (2003-2024)
c) IESE Business School from 2015 onwards, as Alumni Director and Fundraiser. In this role, I have worked closely with senior executives, entrepreneurs, companies, foundations, and private individuals, accompanying them through both their professional development and their donor journeys.
My work has involved helping donors clarify intent, align values with action, and translate generosity into well-structured, meaningful contributions. The philanthropic initiatives developed with my support have resulted in grants, scholarships, naming opportunities, and long-term CSR and institutional partnerships.
This experience provides a deep, practical understanding of how philanthropic decisions are made, how trust is built, and how leadership, wealth, and responsibility intersect over time.
My work at IESE has been particularly focused on the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and the Balearic Islands, allowing me to operate in an international yet highly relational context, and to build long-term trust with individuals, families, and institutions across cultures.
Independent advice. Trusted dialogue. Long-term perspective.
Pons Advisory offers independent, discreet, and reflective advice. Strategic growth and meaningful giving thrive on trusted dialogue. Whether you are navigating family business dynamics, defining your philanthropic legacy, or seeking discreet mediation, let us connect to discuss how I can support your vision. Get in touch to start the conversation.
Best wishes,
Dipl.-Ing. José Félix Pons de Villanueva