Natalia Fernández De Losada: from technological innovation to the development of strategic partnerships

The beginnings: a path less traveled

Choosing Telecommunications Engineering in Barcelona at a time when women were still underrepresented in technical faculties was, for Natalia, both a natural and courageous decision. Her family background also played an important role: her father, who spent his entire career at Olivetti, introduced her to the world of technology from an early age.

During her university years, her interest in applied innovation already stood out. Her thesis project, focused on speech recognition models and later published, marked the first step in a career aimed at transforming technology into practical and meaningful solutions.

In the mid-1990s, Natalia entered the job market in a Barcelona undergoing major transformation. Following the success of the Olympic Games, the city was experiencing strong growth driven by new infrastructure, international investments, and the rise of a dynamic technology ecosystem. In this environment, she gained her first experience in the ICT sector, working on projects that reflected the deep evolution of the market: from the spread of switching technologies to the first migrations toward IP environments.

Joining Italtel and the beginning of a growth journey

It was in this context that, in 2001, a former university colleague introduced her to Italtel. Natalia discovered an Italian company with a long-standing tradition of technological innovation, something quite distinctive at the time. Although she had other opportunities available, Italtel immediately stood out to her because of its history, its position as a leading company in the sector, and its cultural dimension. Natalia had always appreciated her connection with Italy, the idea of learning the language, and the opportunity to work in an international environment.

From the very beginning, she was involved in the development of the IP backbone network for a major operator in Barcelona. This marked the start of a particularly intense phase in which the data business became increasingly important within the company. Thanks also to the contribution of professionals like Natalia, Italtel Spain established itself as a trusted system integrator for the incumbent operator, building expertise, credibility, and strong relationships project after project.

From there, her professional growth accelerated quickly. Natalia progressively took on greater responsibilities, first in the data area and later in pre-sales, contributing to the consolidation of strategic relationships with customers and technology partners. Among the most significant experiences in this phase were the deployment of IP infrastructures, fiber rollout projects, and the creation of a local technology laboratory.

From technical expertise to strategic vision

Over the years, Natalia’s journey at Italtel evolved from strong technical specialization toward a broader vision focused on business development, strategy, and the creation of collaborative ecosystems. Alongside her technological expertise, she developed essential soft skills such as communication, negotiation, active listening, and trust-building.

Her approach to technology also became increasingly practical and customer-oriented, moving beyond a purely technical perspective. In this journey, international events such as the Mobile World Congress became key opportunities for market analysis, relationship building, and understanding emerging trends.

At the same time, the way of working changed profoundly: from tools such as fax machines and Lotus Notes to advanced digital platforms and artificial intelligence-based solutions.

Today, Natalia serves as Head of Partnership Development at Italtel Spain, where she contributes to the development of strategic partnerships and collaborative ecosystems in the telecommunications and ICT sectors. In a role that has become increasingly central in her career, she combines technical expertise with business vision to create new opportunities, accelerate innovation, and support the evolution of technologies ranging from 5G to artificial intelligence.

Outside of work, Natalia enjoys sports, the sea, and the mountains, and has always been passionate about music, especially the piano. Even in her free time, technology remains part of her daily life: a discreet but essential tool, from checking the weather to discovering new routes.

Looking ahead: growth and responsibility

Looking at younger generations, Natalia highlights the importance of investing in what truly motivates people, while remaining aware of the impact of their choices. In her experience, Italtel represents an environment capable of combining professional growth, collaboration, and attention to values such as inclusion and sustainability.

With a belief that has guided her throughout her entire career: technology must serve people, be accessible, and be used in a fair and responsible way.