For the second consecutive year, Forbes Women Spain presents the list of the 30 Most Influential Women in the Balearic Islands 2026, a selection that recognizes professionals whose talent, leadership, and impact contribute to the economic, social, and cultural development of the archipelago. Compiled by an expert committee led by Vera Bercovitz, Head of Content for Forbes Women Spain, and Andrés Rodríguez, Editor of Forbes Spain, the list highlights inspiring careers in fields as diverse as business, science, culture, and innovation. In a context where only three out of every ten leadership positions in the Balearic Islands are held by women, this initiative aims to give visibility to the pioneers who are paving the way and inspiring new generations.
The goal of this initiative goes beyond an annual recognition. Forbes Women Spain aims to create a community of women leaders that grows stronger with each edition, incorporating new profiles and increasing the visibility of those who, from various fields, help shape the present and future of the Balearic Islands.
Begoña Amengual
Chief Executive Officer of MAC Hotels
A second-generation businesswoman and shareholder of Mac Hotels with over 25 years of experience, she holds a degree in Business Studies and has completed the Advanced Management Program (PADE) at IESE, having started her career in 1996. She has driven strategic milestones within the Mallorcan hotel group, such as the consolidation of the Club Mac resort, the creation of the luxury brand Pure Salt Luxury Hotels, and the group’s current international expansion to destinations like Punta Cana. A fervent advocate for good governance, sustainability, and responsible tourism, she leads the ESG strategy and puts people at the center of this family business. As an active member of several industry boards, Begoña (Majorca, 1972) balances her executive role with her large family.
Piluca Barrau Martínez
Pharmacist and optometrist
Based in Menorca, this pharmacist, entrepreneur, optometrist, hearing aid specialist, and university professor has developed a project that combines science, public outreach, and entrepreneurship, collaborating with national media outlets and training healthcare professionals. Winner of the CAEB Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award and nominated for Best Health Communicator, she advocates for evidence-based healthcare. A mother of three daughters, she enjoys sports, nature, the small moments with her family, and creating cosmetic products with them.
Piluca Bayarri
Fashion designer
Born in Valencia and an Ibizan by choice, she arrived on the island 40 years ago without quite knowing what she was looking for, but certain she wanted to find herself. This search led her to fashion, and from there, a clear purpose emerged: to design glamorous pieces that would turn every day into a luxury vacation. She started a family, created a brand, and earned her place as an Ibizan through hard work. Today, every Piluca Bayarri collection bears her stamp: quality, craftsmanship, and all the heart she put into reinventing herself.
Malena Contestí Rosselló
Attorney, political analyst, and businesswoman
A law graduate, she began her professional career in law firms and the corporate sector before co-founding the Actúa Baleares party in 2017, a party that led to her being elected to the Congress of Deputies as part of a coalition with Vox. Contestí (Palma de Mallorca, 1985) left active politics for ideological convictions and embarked on a new career as a political analyst. She currently works with several national television networks and combines her work in the media with managing projects related to the real estate and renewable energy sectors. Long committed to defending animal rights, she is also developing a new project in Madrid aimed at raising awareness and promoting human development in relation to animal welfare.
Blanca Cortés
Partner at the ALTTRA Foundation and attorney specializing in intellectual property
An attorney specializing in intellectual property, this partner at ThinkSmartLaw advises architecture firms, artists, galleries, designers, cultural institutions, major brands, and technology companies. With close ties to the cultural sector, she is the co-founder, along with Rosario Nadal, of the ALTTRA Foundation, which promotes exhibitions and cultural programs in the Balearic Islands with artists such as Teresa Margolles, Miralda, Abraham Cruz Villegas, and Cildo Meireles. Blanca is also the founder of Camping, a project developed in collaboration with the NF/Nieves Fernández gallery as an initiative for exchange, experimentation, and interdisciplinary dialogue, in which artists present their performance-based projects while interacting with the exhibition currently on display at the gallery.
Maca de Castro
Michelin-starred chef
He is at the helm of the Maca de Castro restaurant, which has been awarded a Michelin star, a Michelin Green Star, and three Repsol Suns. His cuisine is born from a deep connection with Mallorca and its people, and a contemporary vision of Balearic gastronomy based on sustainability and respect for local produce. He directs projects such as Andana and Jardín Bistró, as well as the high-end events division, Jardín Events. The group sources much of its produce from its own gardens in Sa Pobla. He combines managing his restaurants with gastronomic consulting and international collaborations, and participates in some of the most important private events in the institutional, corporate, and sporting spheres, especially those linked to the Royal House.
Rossy de Palma
Actress and model
She is one of the most internationally recognized actresses and a key figure in contemporary European cinema. Her career took off after her collaboration with Pedro Almodóvar on films such as *What Have I Done to Deserve This?* and *Kika*, which established her as one of the most recognizable faces of 1990s Spanish cinema, before she broadened her horizons to work with filmmakers like Robert Altman, Mike Figgis, and Terry Gilliam. Emerging from Madrid’s ‘Movida’ scene, she has forged a multifaceted career spanning film, television, theater, and fashion, and has become a style icon and a regular presence at international film festivals, where she has also served on juries. In 2026, she starred in Pedro Aguilera’s *Día de caza*, which premiered at the Málaga Film Festival, where it received the Málaga-Sur Lifetime Achievement Award; and *Amarga Navidad*, Almodóvar’s latest project.
Maria Mercedes Escarrer Jaume
External Director at
Meliá Hotels International
As a senior pediatrician in the Department of Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology at the JUANEDA Clinic, she was president of the Spanish Society of Clinical Immunology and Pediatric Allergy (SEICAP) from 2017 to 2021 and has chaired numerous national and international conferences in her field. She is a Doctor of Medicine, graduated cum laude, and has focused her career on the study of atopic dermatitis and allergic diseases, receiving awards such as the Nestlé José María del Valle Fité Award. She is the regional coordinator for the School Health Alert Program of the Balearic Islands and for Cooreducasalut in Primary Care in Mallorca, in addition to being an external consultant for Meliá Hotels International. As an ambassador for Mallorca 2023, she has collaborated on the revision of GEMA 5.0 and has participated in global initiatives such as the IPCRG in Kuala Lumpur.
Angeles Ferragut
President of the Ses12naus Foundation
Born and raised in Ibiza, she graduated in Acting and Theatre Directing in Madrid, and lived in Havana, New York, and London. After more than fifteen years away from the island, she returned in 2016 and founded Ses12naus, a non-profit organization that helps revitalize Ibiza’s cultural and artistic scene. Under her leadership, the foundation has hosted projects by more than fifty artists and thinkers from around the world. This year, Ses12naus is launching the Santa Gertrudis Commission, Ibiza’s first public art commission, which—in collaboration with the prestigious art collective SUPERFLEX—will be inaugurated in the heart of the island in the summer of 2027.
She is a descendant
Artist
She sees art as a space of care and healing, and through textiles, painting, and sculpture, she explores the body, memory, and the bonds that sustain us. After starting her career in the fashion industry, she shifted her focus to contemporary art, where she has built a career with exhibitions in museums, foundations, and national and international art fairs. In 2026, the Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art in Palma acquired one of her works for its collection.
Sabina Fluxà and Gloria Fluxà
Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of the Iberostar Group, and Vice President and Director of Sustainability of the Iberostar Group
Sabina and Gloria Fluxà represent the fourth generation at the helm of the family business. Gloria leads Iberostar’s sustainability strategy through the Iberostar Wave of Change initiative and drives the company’s responsible growth. In 2023, she also took on the role of Vice President of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Chair of its Sustainability Committee. For her part, Sabina, who holds a degree in Business Administration and Management, an MBA from ESADE, and has completed the Senior Executive Programme at IESE Business School, has extensive experience in the tourism sector, business innovation, and leadership in sustainability and good governance. She is currently Vice President of the Institute of the Business Family, a member of the BBVA Regional Advisory Council and the APD Governing Council, and as Vice President and CEO of Grupo Iberostar, she drives the company’s development by focusing on talent, innovation, and excellence.
Corinna Graf
Chief Executive Officer of Puerto Portals
Born in Germany in 1979, Corinna grew up in Mallorca, where she now lives with her family. A graduate in Economics from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, she has been the CEO of Puerto Portals since 2012, after spending seven years as a director and vice president of Teka Industrial. Passionate about water sports and travel, Graf combines her role as director of Puerto Portals with leadership positions in companies in sectors as diverse as manufacturing, hospitality, and wine. Since 2018, she has been the Executive President of Valencia Yacht Port, S.L., and has presided over the Associated Marinas of the Balearic Islands since February 2016. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of APD Balears and a member of CaixaBank’s Regional Advisory Council for the Balearic Islands since 2018, as well as a member of BBVA’s Eastern Region Advisory Council since 2020.
Isabel Guarch
CEO and Creative Director, Isabel Guarch Jewellery
Her mother founded the company in a private studio in 1957 and, in a very short time, established it as a leading name in fine jewelry thanks to the quality of her designs and the personalized service she offered. Thirty years ago, her daughter Isabel took the reins and captured the interest of prominent figures, including Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia, thus becoming the head of the second generation of one of Mallorca’s most traditional and prestigious jewelry families. In addition to learning from the family business, Isabel studied at the prestigious BJO design school in Paris. Since 2005, she has created a capsule collection of Mediterranean pieces inspired by the tradition, culture, and spirit of the Balearic Islands, with a timeless and iconic character. Today, she sells her designs at El Corte Inglés and throughout Spain via e-commerce.
Maria Joan of Sentmenat
Founder of the communication and public relations agency Estudio Sentmenat
She is one of the most recognized figures in public relations in Mallorca. Her mother, Beatriz de Tejada, from Madrid, a descendant of the noble House of Tejada, shaped her outgoing personality; her father was Mallorcan and came from the Sentmenat Fontcuberta family. Her grandfather, the Count of Ribas, was the consul of Monaco in Spain and hosted Prince Rainier and Princess Grace during their honeymoon in Mallorca. Marieta was born in Palma de Mallorca 50 years ago, studied interior design, and worked at the leading communication agencies in Madrid. Eleven years ago, she founded Estudio Sentmenat in Palma, specializing in luxury and lifestyle brands, with clients such as Loewe, Bulgari, Joyería Suárez, Iberostar’s Grand Azul Marino, Puerto Portals, and the Cappuccino Group.
Maria Antonia Llull
Vice President of Hipotels Hotels & Resorts
Born in Son Servera (Majorca) in 1974, she joined Hipotels – a company founded by her father, Joan Llull – at a very young age, working in various departments before taking on the role of Head of Operations in 2009. Maria Antonia holds a degree in Business Administration from ESEE (Valencia) and has studied taxation, financial feasibility, and general management at IE Business School. Since 2015, she has been the group’s vice president and has led a period of modernization, international expansion, and a commitment to more sustainable and innovative tourism. Her role in the company’s growth in Mexico is particularly noteworthy. In 2019, she received the CaixaBank Woman Entrepreneur Award of the Balearic Islands in recognition of her career and leadership.
Moshgan Mahrami
Cosmetic doctor
Founder and director of Moss Clinic, she treats some of the country’s most famous faces and has turned a project that started in Ibiza into a leading clinic in Madrid as well. After a solid career in clinical and emergency medicine, she decided to embark on a business venture with a distinctive approach to aesthetic medicine, based on medical ethics, natural results, and the personalization of each treatment. Winner of the National Aesthetic Medicine Award and an advocate for innovation, entrepreneurship, and female leadership, she is passionate about travel, horseback riding, and the Mediterranean lifestyle.
Miranda Makaroff
Multidisciplinary artist
She paints, designs, and sculpts. But above all, her work celebrates women and gives form to their pleasures, desires, and fantasies through an intense, sophisticated, and colorful visual language. Far from traditional conventions and any form of constraint, Miranda builds her own universe, free of restrictions, repression, or censorship. An expansive, sensual, and deeply contemporary imagination that accompanies her and has been exhibited at events like Art Basel Miami, as well as in galleries in Madrid, Barcelona, and Ibiza, where she lives. She is the daughter of designer Lydia Delgado and musician Sergio Makaroff.
Lina Mascaró
President of the Mascaró Group
Since joining the family business in 1994, she has driven the global expansion of the Mascaró and Pretty Ballerinas brands, which are now present on five continents. With a degree in Business Studies from the University of the Balearic Islands, she completed her training in London and Madrid before returning to Menorca to join the Mascaró Group. Under her and her sister Ursula’s leadership, the company increased its exports from 5% to 70% of its revenue. Today, this independent group, with over 100 years of experience in shoemaking, continues to grow with new stores in Spain and the Middle East and is a leading name in the luxury footwear sector.
Carmen Matutes Prats
Deputy CEO, Palladium Hotel Group
He has played a key role in the growth and positioning of Palladium Hotel Group over the past few decades. Since joining the company 30 years ago, he has contributed to the development of business areas such as the Palladium Travel Club, Ushuaïa Store, Hï Store & UNVRS, as well as the launch of iconic brands like Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, The Unexpected Hotels, BLESS Collection Hotels, and Only YOU Hotels. An economist by training with an Executive MBA from IE, he has led expansion, innovation, and transformation initiatives within the tourism sector. His social commitment also plays a prominent role through the Executive Committee of the Abel Matutes Foundation and the board of Fundatur, organizations focused on sustainability and the fight against poverty.
Olivia Molina
Actress
She is part of the third generation of a very well-known family of artists. Born in Ibiza in 1980, she discovered her passion for theater and acting at a very early age. She made her feature film debut with *Jara*, directed by Manuel Estudillo, in 1999, and starred in the series *Al salir de clase* until she decided to train in dramatic acting at the Juan Carlos Corazza school. She has worked in theater (An Enemy of the People at the National Center for Dramatic Arts; The Fall of the Gods at the Spanish Theatre; The Amazons at the Festival of Mérida, etc.). She has starred in television series such as *Under Suspicion*, *Física o Química*, and *A Burqa for Love*. Her filmography includes titles such as *Dieta Mediterránea* by Joaquín Oristrell, the Argentine production *Yo soy sola*, *El secreto de Ibosim*, and *Mi otro Jon*, a drama by Paco Arango starring Rossy de Palma and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón.
Montse Monsalve de Sebastián
Founding partner and Chief Executive Officer of IMAM Communication
In 2004, this journalist founded her own creative agency, Imam Comunicación, together with Marta Jiménez, with offices in Ibiza, Madrid, and Barcelona. She has developed her career in radio, print, and television, and has published five books and a short story. A contributor to Forbes Women and host of an interview show at Ebusus Sociedad Cultural, her voice is a regular feature in radio commercials, videos, and events like the Ibiza Film Festival, Ibicine. Monsalve (Aranda de Duero, Burgos, 1978) holds a degree in Journalism and Social Communication; She is trained in protocol, personal presentation, public speaking, marketing, and events, and has taught courses at universities. She has received the Tanit Award for Inspiring Woman 2025 and the Pimeef awards for Best Company and Young Entrepreneurs.
Marta Munar
Pharmacist and founder of G19
Originally from Mallorca, with a degree in Pharmacy and an MBA in Sales and Marketing Management, she grew up watching her father formulate remedies in the lab of a pioneering pharmacy on the island from a very young age. Fourteen years ago, she opened her own pharmacy in Madrid’s Salamanca district. Her passion for perfumery led to G19: Mediterranean-inspired fragrances, home fragrances, and eco-friendly products, available online, at her pharmacy, and in concept stores in Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza. He also formulates fragrances and amenities for hotels such as the Four Seasons Formentor, the Rosewood Villamagna in Madrid, the Hotel Orfila in Madrid, and Son Blac in Menorca, among others.
Maria Francesca Perelló
Director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation
Originally from Manacor, Mallorca, she has been with the Rafa Nadal Foundation since 2012. She coordinates the strategy and development of its programs, promoting opportunities for growth, social inclusion, and emotional well-being for more than 12,000 beneficiaries. The organization carries out projects aimed at vulnerable children and young people, using sports and education as tools for social transformation. Under her leadership, the Foundation has become a leading organization in the third sector thanks to its sustained impact over time.
Carmen Planas
President of the Confederation of Business Associations of the Balearic Islands
She is a prominent businesswoman and leader in the healthcare sector. Carmen Planas (Palma de Mallorca, 1952) holds a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Navarra, specializing in Clinical Analysis, and has received training in hospital management at ESADE and EADA. She chairs the Confederation of Business Associations of the Balearic Islands—in March she was re-elected for her fourth term at the head of the business organization—and the Union of Healthcare Organizations of the Balearic Islands, in addition to holding positions at the CEOE, CEPYME, and the Mallorca Chamber of Commerce. Committed to corporate social responsibility, she chairs the CEOE’s CSR committee.
Maria and Antonia Plomer
Chief Executive Officer of Zafiro Hotels
The Plomer sisters grew up alongside the hotel industry. Before they turned 10, their father, who worked in home construction, mistakenly bought a plot of land zoned for a hotel, and that’s how the family story of Zafiro Hotels began. Born in Mallorca, Antonia holds a degree in Law and a master’s degree in Tourism Business Management, while María holds a degree in Economics and an MBA with a specialization in Tourism. With a strong background in the industry, they began working together 25 years ago, driven by their passion for the hotel industry, and they currently share the CEO position at Zafiro Hotels. Among their responsibilities, María oversees the support department and Antonia handles the business side of the company. Zafiro Hotels currently operates 14 hotels: 13 in Mallorca and one in Menorca.
Marga Prohens
President of the Government of the Balearic Islands
Marga Prohens (Campos, 1982) has been President of the Government of the Balearic Islands since 2023 and, in 2026, was re-elected president of the PP of the Balearic Islands with 99.93 percent of the vote. With a degree in Translation and Interpretation and a master’s degree in Communication Management, she has developed her political career in both the Balearic Parliament and the Congress of Deputies. In December 2024, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 19 and explained for the first time how the disease has shaped her life and reinforced her commitment to the National Health Service. Married and a mother of two, she has made housing a priority of her term and has advocated for policies focused on the sustainability of the tourism model, the defense of the insularity of the Balearic Islands, and the balanced development of the archipelago.
Antonia Roca
First Vice President and Councillor for Culture and Heritage of the Council of Mallorca
A biologist and biochemist by training, Antònia Roca has so far combined teaching with a political career that began in 2011 as a councilor on the Council of Mallorca, followed by her time as a city councilor in Palma and as a councilor for the Popular Party. Since 2023, she has been Vice President and Minister of Culture and Heritage, and the driving force behind the ‘Mallorca Artisanal Fashion’ brand, an initiative to protect the island’s identity and roots, because “Mallorca is not just a place to visit; Mallorca is something you wear.” She advocates for a culture “by everyone and for everyone” and works to safeguard the island’s historical heritage, the most notable of which has been the recent recovery of the Ses Fontanelles shipwreck.
Carmen Sampol
Chief Executive Officer of the SAMPOL Group
Since 2000, he has led Grupo SAMPOL, an international company specializing in engineering solutions, energy efficiency, sustainability, turnkey installations, technology, and AI. Under her leadership, the company has established a strong international profile, with a presence in 26 countries across four continents, having executed more than 4,000 projects and employing a team of over 2,000 professionals. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Schiller International University in London and has completed executive training at ESADE; she has served on the advisory boards of companies such as CaixaBank and Mapfre. Her awards include the EY Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Balearic Islands and the National Woman Entrepreneur of the Year for Sustainability award.
Marta Serna
Medical Director of Medisans Clinics
Born in Palma de Mallorca in 1965, she holds a degree in Medicine from the University of Zaragoza and is a specialist in Clinical Analysis, having completed her residency (MIR). She completed her training with master’s degrees in Aesthetic Medicine, Ozone Therapy, Nutrition, Anti-Aging and Longevity, and Aesthetic Oncology. With 30 years of experience, she directs the Medisans clinic in Palma de Mallorca, a leading center for advanced aesthetic medicine. She is a professor and lecturer in national master’s programs, a speaker at national and international congresses, and a thought leader in the field. Her career is characterized by a preventive, integrative, rigorous, and innovative medical approach, focused on health, aesthetics, and longevity.
Lucía Vallejo Garay
Sculptor
Discovered by Galería Maior, this artist – who has made Menorca his home – combines institutional projects in Spain with exhibitions throughout Europe and Asia. During the 2024 Venice Biennale, she presented *Sinfonia Barocca*. In 2026, she gained major recognition in Palermo with *Power and Emptiness*, curated by Hervé Mikaeloff. Her work has also been exhibited at international art fairs such as ARCO, ZONAMACO, PULSE New York, and Art Cologne. Recognized for her ability to combine materials, she creates installations that dialogue with architecture, memory, and historical context.