The Foundation
Mission
To contribute to social inclusion and the personal and professional development of individuals at risk of social exclusion through educational and training programs. We aim to empower our beneficiaries by providing them with the necessary tools to reach their full potential and improve their quality of life and that of those around them.
Vision
To be a leading organization in promoting equal opportunities, recognized for its positive impact on the lives of the individuals and communities we serve. We aspire to create a more just and equitable society, where everyone has access to the education and training needed to thrive.
Values
OUR VALUES guide the foundation’s actions and decisions, ensuring that it remains true to its mission and vision.
Inclusion
We promote equal opportunities to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the education and training needed for their development.
Commitment
We are actively engaged in the foundation’s mission, working with dedication and passion to improve the lives of our beneficiaries.
Respect
We treat all individuals with dignity and consideration, recognizing and valuing their differences and potential.
Solidarity
We foster a spirit of mutual support and collaboration, both within the organization and with the broader community.
Ethics and Transparency
Guided by our ethical code, we act with honesty and clarity in all activities and decisions, maintaining open communication with beneficiaries, partners, and society at large.
Innovation
We constantly seek new and better ways to fulfill the foundation’s mission, adapting to change and emerging needs.
Quality
We ensure that all programs and services offered are of the highest quality to maximize the positive impact on the lives of our beneficiaries.
Empowerment
We provide individuals with the tools and resources they need to take control of their own lives and reach their full potential.
Sustainability
We uphold quality standards to ensure long-term viability, integrating economic, social, environmental, and corporate governance aspects in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Our History
AREAS Foundation was established in March 2025 to continue promoting cultural initiatives that were previously carried out under its former identity as Five Words Foundation, now with a much stronger focus on education.
To ensure continuity, AREAS Foundation retains most of the original board of trustees and maintains the same team of collaborators and benefactors, while also incorporating new talent that brings added value to the foundation.
Two of the main initiatives under Five Words Foundation were the support of monthly causes and the micro-stories contest.
MONTHLY CAUSES
Each month, financial support was provided to a charitable organization, and their work was promoted through the foundation’s website and social media. By December 2024, the foundation had collaborated with 21 organizations from a wide range of sectors.
Click here to learn more about our monthly causes.
MICRO-STORIES CONTEST
With the goal of encouraging reading and writing—while also raising awareness for the monthly causes—the foundation launched its online Micro-Stories Contest, which held two editions.
Across both editions, over 1,800 stories were submitted by more than 740 writers from 24 countries across Europe and the Americas.
See the winner and finalists of the second edition.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The third and most important initiative developed by Five Words Foundation has been the promotion of culture and education through the Scholarship Program. This is the work that AREAS Foundation continues to build on, and where it focuses all its efforts.
In its previous stage, the foundation funded the education of 99 children and young people in vulnerable situations across eight different countries on four continents, through partnerships with organizations working directly on the ground. These scholarships—ranging from early childhood education to university—covered academic fees and other school-related expenses.
These scholarships were awarded for full academic cycles, promoting inclusion and personal and professional development, and providing students with the tools to reach their full potential. This, in turn, improves their quality of life, as well as that of their families and communities. AREAS Foundation has taken on all previous commitments and continues to support these students until they complete their academic journey.
In line with its expanded focus on education, AREAS Foundation has awarded 43 new scholarships in 2025—the year of its founding—in addition to those already granted.
Click here to learn more about the scholarships we are funding.
Although the name has changed, AREAS Foundation remains firmly committed to promoting education as a driving force for social change and as a key factor for social and labor integration.
Who we are
Gabriel Novela del Rey
PRESIDENT
Law degree from the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, and from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. His extensive training includes a Master’s Degree in International Trade from the Instituto de Formación Empresarial de la Cámara Oficial de Comercio e Industria de Madrid, a Master’s Degree in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from IE Business School, and the General Management Program (PDG) from IESE Business School.
He has been advisor for relations with European institutions, and assistant to the director of the CSR department at the Chamber of Commerce of Madrid, for the creation, implementation and development of this department. He has worked in the law firm Ramón Hermosilla y Gutierrez de la Roza, collaborating in the internationalization project of the firm, as well as in the creation of the international brand ONTIER, being secretary of the ONTIER Committee. Also from this office, he designed and constituted the Talgo Foundation, of which he is managing director since its establishment in 2013, until today.
He is also advisor to an international fund for the creation and implementation of its foundations, and director of the Talgo Foundation Chair at the School of Industrials of the UPM, among many other advisory, training and dissemination activities.
Eduardo del Riego
PATRON
Graduated from Florida International University (bachelor’s degree in business), where he serves on several advisory boards. Received a master’s degree in business administration from California Costal University. Business entrepreneur. Built businesses in shipping, logistics and technology.
Currently president and CEO of PayCargo. Investor and board member in several technology companies and port and container construction businesses. He received the CEO of the year award from the Academy of International Business (AIB), which recognizes global business leaders. He is involved in several NGOs, including Ellis Island Honor Society Medal (vice-chairman), Beauty of Sight Foundation-Bascoms Palmer Eye Institute, and Cristo Rey Miami High School, among others.
Lili del Riego
PATRON
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Italian from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A. Certificate in Marketing and Master of Science in Pedagogy from Florida International University in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. Computer applications programmer at Eastern Airlines, System One and EDS. Spanish teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami. Currently retired.
Emilio García
PATRON
Industrial Engineer from the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, PhD in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Executive MBA from the Instituto de Empresa de Madrid IE. Innovation Director of the company Talgo. Talgo representative in European Official Bodies on rail mobility, advisor in consultative meetings convened by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda and the Ministry for Ecological Transition and demographic challenge. In 2017 he was appointed member in the Scientific Advisory Committee of the State Agency Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC and until February 2023, president of SOIH₂ ALEX , European Public-Private Economic Interest Grouping. National Innovation Award 2022 in the category of Innovative Professional Career awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Professor at the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas in Madrid.
Javier Gallego
PATRON
Graduated in Business Administration and MBA from IE Business School, with a solid background in business and management.
He has developed an important part of his professional career at IATA, the global organization for the aviation industry, holding several executive positions in different countries, and leading important changes, including the consolidation of all global operations, the modernization of agency programs, and the digitalization and transformation of settlement and payment systems.
He currently works as a strategic consultant for major international companies in the traveltech and fintech industries. In addition to his consulting work, he is also a member and advisor on several boards of directors.
Aurora Avello
PATRONAGE SECRETARY
Degree in Biology from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Her professional career is linked to the ophthalmology and medical devices sector, in the Quality, Marketing and Regulatory Affairs departments.
Amparo Lezcano
TREASURER
Degree in Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid. Extensive professional development in a lighting and decoration company, both in management and corporate governance.
Carmen Martínez
COMMUNICATION
Degree in Psychology from the University of Valencia and Master in Human Resources from ESIC. Professional development within HR, in ETT, technology company and consulting firm. Prior to joining the foundation, she was in charge of the operations and HR departments in a service company.