Advantere’s Leadership Talk with Álex Roca

Advantere’s Leadership Talk with Álex Roca brought together an inspiring story of resilience and connection. Advantere’s latest Leadership Talk featured Álex Roca, a global symbol of perseverance and positivity. For Kenjy, who also lives with cerebral palsy, attending Álex’s talk was a dream come true. He attended the event with his best friend, María, a psychology student, who has shared years of meaningful friendship with Kenjy. Together, they reflect on the impact of Álex’s journey and the power of friendship in challenging societal biases.

“I was born in Colombia. Right after birth, I suffered four cardiac arrests, and doctors said I would be bedridden for life,” recalls Kenjy. “My mother worked tirelessly to help me grow.” His family relocated to Spain after an earthquake in Colombia, and since then, Kenjy has achieved many things, defying the medical predictions. He has completed administrative studies, a master’s in digital marketing, and several certifications, driven by an unstoppable thirst for knowledge.

Kenjy sees Álex Roca’s story as a mirror of his own. “I wrote an article about him on the ASPACE Madrid blog, and I wanted to meet him,” Kenjy says. “When María told me about his talk, I almost couldn’t believe it.” At the talk, Kenjy felt an immediate connection: “I had chills… I felt so connected to his story.” Kenjy even overcame his shyness to ask Álex a question in person, with María’s support.

Kenjy has a message for those facing similar challenges: “People tell you what you can’t do, but I’ve proven them wrong. I keep learning and striving. Although communication is challenging, technology helps me push through.”

Inspired by Álex, Kenjy now dreams of giving talks with María to share a message of inclusion. “We want people to see others for who they are inside, not just their disabilities.”

María, a psychology student at Comillas, met Kenjy through volunteer work. She had never interacted with someone with a disability before, and her friendship with Kenjy was initially eye-opening. Over time, they formed a bond beyond the activities they shared at the foundation where they met.

For María, attending Álex Roca’s Leadership Talk with Kenjy was equally moving. “Álex’s story and the support from his wife, Mari Carme Maza, were truly inspiring,” she says. “They showed me that real connection goes beyond physical limitations.”

Reflecting on their friendship, María explains, “We understand each other deeply. He has always seen me as a friend, not as a helper. It’s unfortunate how often people view our friendship as ‘unusual.’”

For both Kenjy and María, their shared story challenges social perceptions around disability. “Prejudices are in people’s minds,” says Kenjy. María agrees, “The best way to teach empathy is by example.”

Meeting Álex Roca was not only a special moment for them but also strengthened their commitment to promoting inclusion and respect. In a society that has a lot to learn about valuing people beyond their circumstances, they see their friendship as a real-life example of how kindness and understanding can bridge any gap.

This inspiring event marked the beginning of Advantere’s Leadership Talks series. Through these events, Advantere brings together leaders from different fields to share life experiences and discuss new forms of leadership. With his humor and positivity, Álex Roca challenged stereotypes and inspired the audience to rethink limitations placed on people with disabilities.

The experience also reinforced Kenjy and María’s commitment to spreading a similar message: authentic leadership values people for who they truly are. “We focus on cultivating empathy and teaching students to lead with purpose,” says Consuelo Benito, Advantere’s Director of Sustainability and Social Impact.

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