Isabel Noboa Pontón is one of the most recognized businesswomen in Ecuador. Born in Guayaquil in 1946, Noboa has broken glass ceilings in her industry. Through her work in the company Consorcio Nobis, where she serves as founder and executive president, Noba has demonstrated that she's an expert in all sorts of businesses, including residential, industrial, commercial, and tourism.
Thanks to her multiple contributions to the industry, Noboa has received various recognitions for her leadership and her entrepreneurship, representing a unique and empowering figure in Ecuador.
© Courtesy of Isabel Noboa"Leadership needs to understand the value of people and empathy. Always. I think that leadership has to start from a place of values and principles."
Noboa's entrepreneurship is in her blood. As the daughter of the businessman Luis Noboa Naranjo, she's learned the intricacies of managing a large business from a young age. In 1997, following his death, the company was split evenly among the children.
These years were difficult for Noboa, who inherited a significant portion of the family business, Corporacion Noboa. Around that time, she was also coping with the end of her marriage to Isidro Romero, with whom she shared three kids. Years later, Noboa met Dr. Agustin Loor, with the two marrying in 2007.
Aside from the problems and changes that were affecting her personally, Noboa was also dealing with the financial crisis that plagued Ecuador in 1999. Through her tenure in Corporación Noboa, she has made many intelligent investments, including the purchase of the candy company La Universal in 2005, changing its name to Universal Sweet Industry, and rescuing it from closing down. It was a gamble that paid off, with it being sold and acquired by the multinational company BIA in 2018.
© Courtesy of Isabel NoboaSince she took over the company, Noboa has led many initiatives, including the expansion and diversification of Consorcio Nobis. The project has resulted in the creation of thousands of jobs and in the economic development of Ecuador. She's also been involved in her country's philanthropy, creating and supporting foundations that support and provide aid to Ecuador's most vulnerable communities.
Noboa is a part of one of the most notorious families in Ecuador. Her father was a brilliant businessman and set the foundation of the business she manages today, while her brother is the father of Ecuador's current president, Daniel Noboa.
Over the years, Noboa has occupied various public positions, including serving as President of the National Competitiveness Council in 2002. She's also earned the recognition of Ecuador's most reputed businesswoman according to various national and international rankings.
"It's an immense honor that I receive this in the name of Nobis Corporation. Because this dream, this recognition is not achieved by Isabel Noboa, it's achieved by the Nobis team, who's worked hard to continue making this company one of the industry's leaders, me among them."
© Courtesy of Isabel NoboaNoboa has been recognized as the 2017 Iconic Businesswoman of the Decade by the All Ladies League and the Women Economic Forum in New Delhi, India. She was also recognized by Bloomberg Economy Forum as one of the leading CEOs on a global scale, and was ranked as one of the 500 most influential people in Latin America per Bloomberg online.
Aside from her great work in business, Noboa has also had a great impact in philanthropy, leading pro bono efforts in Ecuador like the Foundation for the Adoption of our Kids in 1974, the Luis Noboa Naranjo Foundation, the Seeds of Love Foundation for preventing and treating addictions, The Nobis Foundation, and much more.
