“Happiness these days is in sharing the little things as a family.”

Interview published by ARTICLE 14

By: Itziar Elizalde

Ainhoa Marcos is an expert in digital transformation in education at ODILO, content ecosystem. Committed to accessible education, she enjoys ‘Family Week’.

Ainhoa Marcos is an expert in digital transformation in education at ODILO, a content platform. As VP Education Spain & Global K-12 Sales Director, she closes the year with the accomplished challenge of building a team of subject-matter experts. She also creates an education strategy aligned with the company’s mission to transform access to knowledge and enhance the learning experience globally. A mission she embraces in her personal commitment to accessible, quality education for all.

As she explains, this challenge has involved coordinating, aligning, and ensuring that all team members feel an integral part of the project. The key has been to foster inclusive and collaborative leadership.

1) How do you get to the vacations?

As VP of Education at ODILO, arriving at the vacation implies having gone through an intense period of innovation and expansion of the company in the educational field, so I arrive with a sense of accomplishment and excitement. We have implemented innovative solutions that facilitate more personalized and accessible learning, which key educational institutions in Spain are adopting.

I feel satisfied and ready to recharge, knowing that we have made significant progress and that the team is well-positioned to continue driving our impact on education.

2) During these vacation days, will you think about work and take advantage of it to prepare for your return or will you disconnect completely?

During the vacations, I believe in the importance of almost total disconnection to recharge both body and mind. But I also appreciate summer as an opportunity to reflect and analyze. Although my main focus is to enjoy the time off, I often jot down important ideas or reflections that may come up at any time. This allows me to balance the disconnect with subtle preparation for the return.

3) What would you recommend not to miss during your vacation days?

I recommend not giving up taking care of yourself and enjoying quality time with family and friends. Vacations are a valuable opportunity to reconnect with our family and ourselves. These moments also prepare us to face professional challenges with renewed vitality and enthusiasm upon our return.

For me it is essential to take advantage of these days to enjoy the family and the sea, which, in my case, bring me great energy and serenity. Happiness, peace, and well-being depend not on a specific physical place but on the presence and company of the people we love and a positive mental attitude.

4) What activities or hobbies help you disconnect from work? What will they be this summer?

Every summer, for almost 15 years, we have established a tradition in my family that has become one of the most anticipated parts of our vacations for everyone, and we have already established it as ‘Family Week’. We usually choose some rural area in the north of Spain and rent a huge house, as we get together more than 25 people with my mother, my brothers, my sisters-in-law, my children, my nephews, my nieces, and my nephews’ children (yes, I am already a great aunt!).

Enjoying being together and sharing little things, like breakfast or a family walk, is lovely. In those little things is happiness. This week has become a sacred time for me, an opportunity to appreciate what matters and enjoy the warmth and love that only family can offer.

5) What book is waiting for you these days? How did you choose it?

This summer, I picked a novel by Tara Westover called Educated. I discovered this novel recently while exploring our platform, and it immediately caught my attention. Even though the book is a few years old now, I hadn’t had the opportunity to read it, and this summer was the perfect time to do so. What attracted me most to Educated is its powerful story of self-empowerment.