According to global demographic projections, by 2030 there will be more than 1.4 billion people aged 60 and over, making longevity “a structuring force in the economy, the labor market, and social policies”. It was in this context that Católica-Lisbon inaugurated the Center on Longevity Leadership, created to prepare leaders and organizations for the challenges and opportunities associated with this phenomenon. The launch ceremony drew a full audience of participants, including executives, academics, and civil society, signaling the rising social and corporate interest in the topic of longevity. To mark the occasion, Dean Filipe Santos opened the event, followed by the presentation of the new Center’s mission, structured around three strategic pillars: talent, market, and society. The keynote speech by Lisa Taylor, CEO of Challenge Factory, titled “The Talent Revolution: Longevity and the Future of Work,” set the tone for the discussions that followed, which included a moderated debate on the challenges of leading in the era of longevity.
The potential of the Center on Longevity Leadership is strengthened by the support of leading companies that sponsor it. Among the founding partners are the José de Mello Group and its companies Bondalti, which operates in the chemical industry, energy, and water treatment, Brisa, which focuses on infrastructure and mobility, and CUF, which specializes in healthcare, as well as other major national and international organizations such as Fidelidade in insurance, Galp in energy, Servier in pharmaceuticals, and Trivalor in outsourcing services. These organizations are at the forefront of longevity-related initiatives in Portugal, anticipating the needs of increasingly older populations. By supporting the Center, they secure a crucial competitive advantage in a rapidly changing world.
Why is it advantageous to be a pioneer in this field? Beyond a social obligation, the competitive benefits are clear. International studies have emphasized that companies adopting intergenerational workforce practices early are better positioned to attract and retain talent. As highlighted by the World Economic Forum, organizations considered “first movers” in this area gain “more recruitment options, greater speed and quality in hiring, and access to talent at a lower cost”. Flexible practices such as part-time work, adapted schedules, and gradual retirement phases help retain valuable employees for longer and broaden the available talent pool, thereby strengthening companies’ competitive position. In this way, the sponsor and founding companies of the new Center not only assume their responsibility toward social sustainability but also prepare for emerging market opportunities within an aging population.
The Center on Longevity Leadership intends to transform this knowledge into concrete action. To that end, we will work in close collaboration with partner companies. Several joint initiatives are already under way, such as research partnerships, executive education programs, and the AGEnergy Working Group, an intergenerational innovation consortium that brings together nine companies to discuss practices and challenges in intergenerational talent management. Through these projects, we connect academic research with the practical challenges organizations face. We investigate new models of lifelong careers and help generate innovation insights for the “silver economy”.
The launch of Católica-Lisbon’s Center on Longevity Leadership marks the beginning of a collaboration between academia, companies, and society. Its aim is to mobilize organizations so that longevity is understood as a strategic opportunity for innovation, competitiveness, and well-being. The strong participation in the event and the commitment of the sponsors confirm the relevance of the topic. Preparing leaders and companies for this new demographic cycle is crucial for ensuring sustainable growth and the valorization of talent at all ages. The organizations pioneering this effort, along with those that will join in the future, will be well positioned to innovate in a rapidly changing market, transforming a global demographic challenge into a collective opportunity.
Céline Abecassis-Moedas, Professor and Pro-Rector for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Amélia Rita Monteiro, Professor and Researcher at CATÓLICA-LISBON