The Riberas Family Honored with Babson-Camus Global Family Entrepreneurship Award

Three people smile while posing for a photo with the award
Listen

Babson College, along with Maison Camus, presented the 2025 Babson-Camus Global Family Entrepreneurship Award to the Riberas family, founders and leaders of Gestamp.

Francisco J. Riberas P’13 ’15 and Patricia Riberas ’13 accepted the award at a ceremony last week during Babson Connect Worldwide at Castelfalfi in Tuscany, Italy.  

The award, created in collaboration with Camus and the Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship at Babson, is the first of its kind to honor distinguished entrepreneurial multigenerational business families that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in creating significant economic and social value, while embodying innovation, sustainability, and leadership while remaining steadfast in their core values. 

“The Riberas family exemplifies the very best of family entrepreneurship, delivering extraordinary business outcomes and impact on society because of their strong family relationships,” said Lauri Union, Nulsen Family Executive Director of the Bertarelli Institute. “Guided by deeply held family values and catalyzed by family collaboration, the Riberases have an outsized positive impact on communities around the world. They are an inspiration, exemplifying the capacity of entrepreneurial families to be the greatest force for positive change on the planet.” 

‘Unwavering Dedication’

The Riberas family joins an elite group of past recipients, including the Bertarelli family, pioneers in health care and life sciences through B-Flexion; and the Cisneros family, visionaries behind Cisneros Media, Latin America’s leading independent digital advertising company.  

“Through this award, we celebrate not just the extraordinary business acumen of the Riberas family but also their unwavering dedication to innovation, education, and social progress,” said Cyril Camus ’91, P’26, chairman of the Global Advisory Board at Babson College and president of Maison Camus. “Their journey mirrors the essence of Maison Camus, where heritage meets modernity, and entrepreneurship is a driving force for positive impact.” 


“The Riberas family exemplifies the very best of family entrepreneurship, delivering extraordinary business outcomes and impact on society because of their strong family relationships.”
Lauri Union, Nulsen Family Executive Director of the Bertarelli Institute

The Riberas family’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1958 when Francisco Riberas Pampliega co-founded Gonvarri, a small metal workshop. Over the decades, his sons—Francisco J. Riberas Mera P’13 ’15 and Juan María Riberas Mera—expanded upon their father’s vision, leading to the creation of Gestamp in 1997. Today, Gestamp is a global leader in the automotive industry, specializing in the design and manufacture of innovative metal components for the world’s top car manufacturers. With operations in 24 countries, 115 production plants, and over 43,000 employees, Gestamp plays a key role in elevating Spain’s influence in the global automotive sector, exemplifying a commitment to excellence, sustainability, and responsible business practices. 

Carrying forward the family legacy, Patricia Riberas ’13 and Mónica Riberas ’15 are expanding beyond industrial innovation. Through Fundación Gestamp, the Riberas family actively supports education, culture, and community development initiatives. Their strong corporate governance ensures long-term stability while upholding the values of diversity, leadership, and ethical business practices. 

Posted in Community, Outcomes

More from Community »

Latest Stories

Two students walk down a hill on Babson’s campus
Ups and Downs: Life on the Rolling Campus of Babson For students, staff, and faculty, the College’s rolling campus is an everyday part of the Babson experience. Nestled among the woods, buildings, and playing fields, the College’s hills add a certain charm and beauty to campus.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
October 14, 2025

Posted in Community

Students walk on Babson's sunny campus.
Leading the Way: Babson Wellness Chief Elevates Well-Being Priorities in Higher Education Ryan Travia, associate vice president for student success at Babson, issues a call to embrace well-being as central to student success in an upcoming book that offers a road map to leadership in student health.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
October 8, 2025

Posted in Community, Insights

7 women standing on stage holding awards
Six Visionary Leaders Honored by the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership presented Legacy & Impact Awards to six women whose vision and leadership continue to shape Babson and the world.
By
October 8, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership