CARLOTTA LUCIA GIACCHE

Carlotta is a corporate banker currently working with renewable energy and digital infrastructure projects in northern Europe. As part of her interest in green energy, she’s also part of the CFA UK Energy Finance special interest group, which promotes thought leadership and new perspectives in this space. Previously, she worked in corporate treasury and financial risk consulting. She’s a One Young World ambassador, currently working on a number of diverse projects fostering community unity, sustainable consumption, mental health and elections campaigning.

“Aspire to reach your goals but also to enjoy and savor the process”

Q: TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY, AND ALSO YOUR LIFE'S STORY!

I find it difficult to describe one particular country, as I mainly feel European. Having grown up in Brussels as an Italian/German, I studied in the UK, France and Brazil. I often think about identity and I have often wondered where I belong to. However, I have learned that knowing and trusting yourself are key to feeling at home anywhere in the world.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE WORLD AS IT IS TODAY? AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE CONCEPT OF A BETTER WORLD?

Today's world is facing the strongest opportunities, but also challenges than it has ever before. Within this context, technology plays one of the most crucial aspects, whether is used as a software for crop management in agriculture, as blockchain technology for transparent supply chains in trade, or for detrimental uses, such as drones used for terror or airstrike disruption. Therefore, it is paramount to ensure this technology is leveraged for positive change and innovation. By doing so I believe that it is critically important to be inclusive in the impact process – this means driving impact collaboratively within a joint community of individuals who rise together and don’t leave each other behind. Within this context, I strongly believe in headwinds and tailwinds experienced at different levels by different members of society. These need to be considered when fostering positive change, as they create the present vicious cycle of the same kind of groups taking on the same roles within societies, i.e. who feels entitled to have a choice in terms of life and career path, who are faced with opportunities, and who isn’t. Having had my own personal head-and tailwinds, I try to maximise the awareness of my privilege and incite people around me to do the same.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY CHALLENGES IN YOUR SOCIETY?

The challenges mentioned above are very much also reflected in our societies. Additionally, our societies have become increasingly divisive in recent years, with rising hatred and fear of the foreign and unknown. Ultimately, I think that united communities and social inclusion are the key drivers to foster positive, impactful and sustainable change. Therefore, it is important to include everyone in our actions and not to leave anyone behind, at the risk of being exclusive whilst trying to be inclusive.

Q: AS A YOUNG INDIVIDUAL WHAT ARE A FEW OF THE HURDLES THAT YOU HAD TO OVERCOME UP UNTIL TODAY?

A few of the hurdles I've overcome until today but that I am also still addressing, including self-confidence and anxiety.

Q: WHY IS THE ROLE OF A MENTOR IMPORTANT FOR YOU?

I find mentors very important in terms of career path guidance and professional socialization. A mentor is able to give tips and advice from an objective angle, share experiences and support a mentee in taking the right steps in reaching their objectives.

Q: DO YOU HAVE A LESSON THAT LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

Even though it is a well known concept, I have learned to never forget how lucky you are and to live life to the fullest, because you never know how things could drastically change from one moment to the other. Aspire to reach your goals but also to enjoy and savour the process.

Q: NAME A PROJECT, A FOUNDATION OR A PERSON IN YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU THINK IS DOING GREAT WORK IN HELPING IMPROVE OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES!

Aboubakar Soumahoro - Soumahoro is an Italian-Ivorian activist, trade unionist and sociologist. As a trade unionist, he is currently engaged in the process of trade union organisation of Italian and migrant labourers in the agricultural supply chain of the Italian countryside. As an activist, he is concerned with social justice and the right to free circulation, against any form of racism and exploitation.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN IN YOUR COUNTRY FACE AND WHAT EFFORTS ARE MADE TOWARDS GENDER EQUALITY?

In both Germany and Italy, implicit bias and sexism still play a very important role in society. This is either translated into a complete lack of paternity leave in Italy, as well as unfavourable working conditions for mothers and in Germany into women being advised not to take on too high-level and intense roles because deemed too aggressive and masculine. In Germany, the rules for parenting leave are quite favourable and actually improve if the father takes leave too (more leave is granted in aggregate). In Italy, I feel like such policies are still very far away from being introduced and implemented. Please note that the above is only a selection of examples.

Q: ATHENA40 IS THE FIRST EVER GLOBAL SELECTION OF THE TOP 40 WOMEN FORWARD THINKERS, COMMENTATORS, ACTIVISTS, AUTHORS, ACADEMICS, ENTREPRENEURS, EXECUTIVES, INNOVATORS. CAN YOU THINK OF A TRULY INNOVATIVE AND FORWARD-THINKING WOMAN FROM YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU WISH TO NOMINATE FOR THE ATHENA40 GLOBAL LIST?

Annalisa Camilli, Italian journalist

Q: SHARE WITH US A PHRASE, A POEM OR A STORY THAT YOU LOVE OR YOU FIND INTERESTING!

"Fidarsi è bene, non fidarsi è meglio"

Translated from Italian: to trust is good, not to trust (in someone) is better.

Q: TELL US ONE THING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR MENTOR.

I have learned to be bolder in expressing what I want to do vs what I'd prefer to do less of.