Inside the Master in Public Policy Learning policy through institutions and real-world impact

Info Session | Led by the Academic Director

Public policy is no longer confined to government alone. Today, it shapes decisions across consulting firms, international organizations, corporations, and civil society. Understanding how policy is designed, negotiated, and implemented—and learning to do it in real contexts—has become a critical skill for future leaders.

Join us for an exclusive info session on the Master in Public Policy at IE University. The session will be led by Iván Stola, Academic Director of the Master in Public Policy, and will feature the participation of Matti Van Hecke, Managing Partner  Political Intelligence, a leading European public affairs consultancy and strategic partner of the program, bringing a real-world policy and institutional perspective to the discussion.

During the session, we will explore:

• Why this is a critical moment to study public policy, as global challenges demand professionals who can navigate complexity across sectors

• How the Master in Public Policy is designed, combining rigorous academic foundations with hands-on, applied learning

• IE’s strategic partnerships with real institutions, such as Political Intelligence and how these partnerships translate into live projects, case-based learning, and professional exposure

• Career pathways in public policy, from government and international organizations to consulting, tech, and the private sector

You will also gain a clear overview of the program’s structure, specialization tracks, international exposure, and the type of profiles that thrive in today’s policy-driven environment.

Whether you aim to influence public decision-making, advise institutions and organizations, or work at the intersection of policy, business, and society, this session will help you understand how IE’s Master in Public Policy prepares you to turn ideas into impact.

About the Speakers: 

Iván Stola is an international advisor and policymaker with over 20 years of experience supporting governments in enhancing public sector performance. His work experience includes national governments and international organizations, such as the OECD, where he has assisted numerous public institutions in improving their decision-making capabilities. He is currently the Founder and Director of Stori, a Geneva-based advisory firm, where he helps international development actors improve social impact. He is also the Director of the Public Leadership Executive Program at IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs, where he is also an adjunct professor. Iván has extensive research and academic experience in public governance and policymaking. He holds a Master of Public Affairs from Sciences Po Paris.

Matti Van Hecke - as Managing Partner at Political Intelligence, Matti has experience in designing and implementing public affairs campaigns across multiple industries including energy, e-commerce and food & beverages at both the Belgian and EU level. Matti also takes up important roles in the public affairs industry’s representative bodies such as EPACA, Bepact and PACE. Matti holds a PhD in political science and has published peer-reviewed articles on lobbying in multi-level political systems. Before joining Political Intelligence he was a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at the University of Antwerp where he taught a MA courses on EU decision-making and advocacy. He holds Master’s degrees in Comparative & European Politics and in International Relations & Diplomacy and Bachelor degree in Social and Economic Sciences.