Laura Sánchez: ASHRAE is to promote best practices in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration.

The ASHRAE Spain Chapter appointed Laura Sánchez Ruiz as the association’s new President for the 2026–2028 term during its annual general meeting last June, embarking on a new stage characterised by the promotion of technical knowledge, professional collaboration, and a commitment to developing smarter, more resilient, and sustainable buildings.

Laura Sánchez succeeds María del Mar Serna, further to two years of intense activity that consolidated the growth and positioning of the Spanish chapter of ASHRAE both nationally and internationally. She currently serves as the General Manager of Ulbios and Technical Director of the Italsan Group. An engineer with extensive experience in the HVAC&R sector, she maintains a close relationship with ASHRAE, where she has played an active role in recent years. Within the ASHRAE Spain Chapter, she has served on the Board of Governors as Treasurer and President-Elect, in addition to actively collaborating on numerous committees and strategic initiatives.
 Her experience and commitment to the association make her a staunch advocate for the value ASHRAE provides to industry professionals and society at large.

During her presidency, Laura will focus her efforts on strengthening the role of the ASHRAE Spain Chapter as a technical benchmark for all building stakeholders, promoting collaboration amongst building owners, engineering firms, manufacturers, operators, maintenance providers, installers, universities, research centres, associations and public administrations.

Knowledge and judgement

In her presidential address, the incoming President outlines a vision based on a clear principle: "Turning knowledge into sound judgement. Sound judgement will be our legacy,” recognising that in a context where information is increasingly accessible, true differential value lies in the capacity to interpret evidence, test experiences against reality, and make responsible decisions. "Knowledge may be within anyone's reach, but sound judgement can only be built by sharing experience, evaluating ideas and learning from one another," states Laura Sánchez.

Her programme for the next two years will rest on four major strategic pillars: Firstly, sharing knowledge to build sound judgement by driving an effective technology transfer between research and industry. Secondly, promoting resilient buildings through the integration of emerging technologies and a comprehensive vision encompassing air quality, water quality and the efficient operation of facilities. Thirdly, reinforcing the technical leadership of the ASHRAE Spain Chapter, with particular focus on the rapid growth of data centres and the technologies that will define the future of HVAC. And finally, building a stronger professional community by fostering the participation of members, young engineers and volunteers, grounded in the conviction that ASHRAE's greatest asset is the individuals who selflessly share their expertise.

She has also expressed her commitment to continue driving building decarbonisation, smart building development and the dissemination of technical best practices in HVAC, refrigeration, energy efficiency, hydraulics, monitoring, and facility operations, fully aligned with ASHRAE's global mission.

Under this new leadership, the ASHRAE Spain Chapter enters a stage focused on consolidating its growth, strengthening its industry presence, and remaining a benchmark for training, knowledge exchange, and professional development across the HVAC&R community in Spain.