Juan Eduardo Ibáñez Gomien

Secretary General

Leads the Office of the Secretary General.

Duties

The Head of the Office of the Secretary General is the authority responsible for leading the Office of the Secretary General of the University, which, as a unit, has the purpose of contributing to the development of the academic and educational mission of the University, ensuring the preservation of its identity, in accordance with the University’s General Statues, and the regulations governing the national higher education system.

In addition, the Head of the Office of the Secretary General must ensure that the University’s mission is carried out with high standards of ethics and integrity, and with proper management of legal risks. The Head of the Office of the Secretary General serves as the University’s Certifying Officer (“Ministro de Fe”) and is also responsible for specific functions such as: 

• giving formal authorization to the acts of the authorities, as set forth in the General Statutes and the University’s internal regulations;
• serving as member of the Leadership Council in his role as the University’s Certifying Officer (“Ministro de Fe”), reporting on legal and regulatory matters concerning University governance, as well as other issues entrusted by the University President;
• proposing internal regulations of the University for approval by the competent authorities, explain them, and ensure their observance;
• certifying events belonging to University life;
• receiving complaints, ordering the initiation of disciplinary and academic proceedings, and resolving them in conformity with the University’s internal regulations;
• authorizing the use of University spaces, in compliance with the relevant regulations, and
• all other responsibilities established by the University’s internal regulations.

Career

Juan Eduardo Ibañez Gomien earned his law degree from UC Chile, where he graduated with highest distinction. He subsequently obtained a Master of Law (LL.M.) from the University of California, Berkeley.

Juan Eduardo Ibáñez has a distinguished career in both academia as well as his professional practice. His academic work focuses on sustainability, governance, and compliance. He was the founder of the UC Corporate Sustainability Program in 2017, which has produced various publications, research projects and collaborations with the Chilean State, on related topics, including the Annual Diagnosis of Business and Human Rights in Chile. As professor at UC Chile Law School, he taught courses such as Professional Ethics and a series of courses on Corporate Sustainability, which focused on corporate governance, community relations, and risk management. In addition, he was director of the Diploma in Compliance and Good Corporate Practices. He was invited to teach courses in various universities in Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, and Budapest.

At UC Chile Law School, from 2021 to 2024, he oversaw the Office of Development, which included the topics of internationalization, strategic planning, faculty development, and engagement with alumni and endowment. Between 2017 and 2021, he was Director of the Graduate School, during which he promoted the development of the Master’s program and Continuing Education programs, including the development of courses with the UC Chile Executive Education division.

From 2012 to 2016, he worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile as Executive Director of the Chile California Council, based in San Francisco. In 2011, he passed the New York State Bar Exam. Between 2005 and 2010, he was member of the Ortúzar, Águila and Concha law firm. From 2002 to 2005, he worked as lawyer in the corporate law firm Alcaíno Rodríguez and Sahli. He has also worked as pro bono attorney of several foundations, including the Enseña Chile Foundation and the Crítica y Celebración Foundation. He was member of the legal team for the Chilean Institute for Rational Business Management (ICARE, as per its initials in Spanish).