A Journey Dedicated to Global Innovation
Sara Medina’s professional journey reflects a strong commitment to advancing global innovation and strengthening international collaboration in science and technology. As a Member of the Board at SPI – Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação, she plays a pivotal role in guiding one of Europe’s prominent innovation consulting organizations.
Founded in 1996, SPI is a private consulting company that operates as a hub for national and international networks connected to research, technology, and innovation sectors. Over the years, the organization has established itself as a leading facilitator of collaboration between public institutions, private enterprises, and scientific research communities.
With a global presence spanning Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, SPI has built an extensive international footprint. Today, the organization employs more than 85 full-time professionals across offices in Portugal, Spain, China, and the United States, along with an affiliated office in Brussels through the European Business & Innovation Centre Network (EBN). The company has also cultivated strong professional networks in countries such as Brazil and Angola.
Since joining SPI, Sara Medina has led numerous international technology transfer and innovation projects across five continents. Her collaborations with institutions such as the World Bank and the European Commission highlight her dedication to fostering transformative global partnerships and facilitating the cross-border transfer of advanced technologies.
Driven by a passion for global innovation and technology consulting, she was drawn to an industry defined by constant evolution and cutting-edge developments an environment where she could help organizations adapt to change and harness the power of emerging technologies.
A Collaborative and Solution-Oriented Leadership Style
Sara Medina describes her working style as collaborative, flexible, and solution oriented. She thrives in dynamic environments where teams are empowered to take ownership of challenges and explore creative solutions.
Her leadership philosophy emphasizes active listening, clarity of purpose, and alignment among diverse stakeholders. When working across cultural and disciplinary boundaries, she prioritizes open communication and mutual understanding.
Colleagues often describe her communication style as empathetic, transparent, and engaging. She believes that clear communication plays a fundamental role in building trust, encouraging participation, and ensuring collective success.
Leading Global Strategy and Partnerships at SPI
In her role as a Member of the Board, Sara Medina is responsible for leading SPI’s internationalization strategy while overseeing the development of strategic global partnerships. A key focus of her work is expanding the organization’s global presence, particularly in emerging markets where innovation ecosystems are rapidly evolving.
One of her notable contributions has been strengthening SPI’s innovation ecosystem by fostering cross-sector collaborations that bridge industries and geographies. She has also been a strong advocate for integrating sustainability and digital transformation into SPI’s consulting methodologies, ensuring that projects deliver both economic value and long-term societal impact.
Among the initiatives she is particularly proud of is the development of Herdade da Torre Vã, an ambitious project located in southern Portugal. This initiative combines innovation, hospitality, and sustainable agriculture into a single ecosystem. The development includes a five-star hotel with an Innovation Centre, wine production facilities, and residential properties, offering a holistic model for regional development that integrates tradition with forward-thinking innovation.
SPI’s Global Consulting Approach
SPI operates as a global consulting firm focused on supporting innovation, science, and technology development while fostering international cooperation.
Through its global network, the company connects innovation and research communities across multiple continents. Its multidisciplinary teams work closely with governments, corporations, academic institutions, and research organizations to design solutions that address complex global challenges.
Within the SPI Group, Turivã is leading the development of the 55-hectare Herdade da Torre Vã project in southern Portugal, which reflects the group’s commitment to combining innovation, tourism, and sustainable land use.
What distinguishes SPI in the global consulting landscape is its ability to bridge diverse sectors and communities. Its cross-continental networks, multidisciplinary expertise, and close collaboration between public institutions, private companies, and scientific organizations allow the firm to deliver solutions that are both globally informed and locally relevant.
By integrating international knowledge with regional insights, SPI helps organizations implement strategies that create lasting impact.
Navigating Challenges During Global Disruption
One of the most challenging periods in Sara Medina’s career came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global markets and significantly altered organizational operations worldwide.
The sudden restrictions on mobility and the rapidly evolving economic landscape required swift adaptation at both strategic and operational levels. To navigate these challenges, she prioritized agility and flexibility within the organization.
SPI quickly restructured internal workflows to support remote collaboration and leveraged digital technologies to maintain seamless client engagement across different regions. At the same time, strengthening the organization’s ecosystem of partnerships became a central priority.
By reinforcing relationships with existing partners and building new regional networks, SPI was able to sustain innovation initiatives and identify opportunities for collaborative growth even during uncertain times.
Equally important was the human aspect of leadership during the crisis. Supporting employees through flexible work arrangements, transparent communication, and cross-functional teamwork helped maintain morale and encouraged creative problem-solving.
This experience reinforced a powerful lesson: resilience is not simply about endurance it is about the ability to evolve and transform uncertainty into opportunity.
Technology as a Catalyst for Transformation
At SPI, technology is viewed not merely as a tool for operational efficiency but as a catalyst for meaningful transformation.
Sara Medina believes that modern organizations must adopt a human-centered approach to technology one that focuses on empowering individuals, strengthening institutions, and enabling communities to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
By combining its international reach with multidisciplinary expertise, SPI ensures that technological solutions are designed with both innovation and inclusivity in mind. The company focuses on translating complex technologies into practical applications that deliver tangible benefits to societies and economies.
Ultimately, technology at SPI serves as a bridge between knowledge and real-world impact.
Key Industry Trends Shaping the Future
Looking ahead, Sara Medina anticipates several transformative trends shaping the global innovation and consulting landscape over the next five years.
Among the most significant is the growing role of sustainability as a core driver of innovation. Organizations across industries are increasingly integrating environmental responsibility into their strategic priorities.
Another critical development is the rising demand for digital sovereignty and robust data governance frameworks, reflecting the need for greater control and transparency in an increasingly data-driven economy.
Additionally, the rapid advancement of deep technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced computing, continues to reshape industries and create new opportunities for innovation.
To stay ahead of these trends, SPI is expanding its expertise in green innovation and sustainable technologies while strengthening partnerships with academic institutions, research centers, and technology companies.
The organization also prioritizes the development of digital skills among its teams and partners, ensuring they are equipped to navigate a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Advancing Sustainability and Global Development
Sustainability is deeply embedded within SPI’s operational philosophy and project portfolio.
The company actively supports initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including projects focused on green technology adoption, sustainable urban development, and circular economy models.
SPI works closely with public and private stakeholders to co-design strategies that address environmental challenges while promoting social equity and economic resilience.
Projects such as Herdade da Torre Vã demonstrate the organization’s commitment to regenerative land use, renewable energy integration, and local economic development.
In addition, SPI supports capacity-building programs that integrate sustainability into education and workforce development, helping communities build the knowledge and skills necessary for a sustainable future.
Recognition and Professional Engagement
Sara Medina has earned recognition for her expertise and leadership in innovation and technology development.
She serves as an Expert Evaluator for the European Commission, contributing to major research and innovation funding programs including FP7, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe. Through this role, she helps assess and guide initiatives that shape the future of research and innovation across Europe.
She is also actively involved in mentoring emerging entrepreneurs and researchers through programs such as the EIC Women Leadership Programme, supporting the next generation of leaders in technology and innovation.
Addressing Industry Challenges
Despite significant progress, the innovation consulting sector continues to face several structural challenges.
One of the most prominent issues is the fragmentation of innovation ecosystems. Often, there is a disconnect between governments, businesses, academic institutions, and communities, which can slow down the flow of knowledge, resources, and ideas.
Bridging the gap between policy design and practical implementation also remains a major challenge in many regions.
Sara Medina believes the solution lies in stronger cross-sector collaboration. Building transparent partnerships and creating platforms for dialogue and knowledge exchange can help integrate innovation ecosystems and accelerate progress.
Investing in education and digital literacy is equally critical. Ensuring that individuals across all regions, especially in underserved communities, have access to digital skills and technological resources will help create a more resilient and inclusive global economy.
Reflecting on Career Growth
Looking back at her career, Sara Medina reflects that she would have welcomed the opportunity to spend more time working directly in emerging economies earlier in her professional journey.
Early exposure to diverse markets and innovation ecosystems would have deepened her understanding of development challenges and local entrepreneurial resilience.
Such experiences provide invaluable insights and help leaders design more context-sensitive strategies, particularly in today’s globalized environment where cross-cultural collaboration plays a crucial role in innovation.
Looking Ahead
In the coming years, Sara Medina and her team aim to further strengthen SPI’s role as catalysts for international innovation partnerships.
The organization plans to expand its global presence by entering new markets, strengthening strategic alliances, and developing collaborative initiatives that generate both economic and societal value.
By continuing to connect knowledge, technology, and innovation ecosystems, SPI aims to contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable and interconnected global future.
A Guiding Philosophy
Beyond her professional achievements, Sara Medina draws inspiration from a lifelong passion for tennis, a sport she has practiced since the age of seven.
One quote that continues to guide her professional and personal philosophy comes from tennis legend Roger Federer:
“You have to believe in the long-term plan you have, but you need the short-term goals to motivate and inspire you.”
This mindset reflects her leadership approach remaining focused on long-term vision while celebrating the small milestones that move organizations closer to meaningful progress.
