A pharmacist by profession, she started her career in the pharma industry at Ciba / Novartis. After spending the first part of her career in multinational companies in 1999 she became CEO of the Max Havelaar Foundation- a Fair Trade organization. During the same period, she was appointed as member of the Board of FLO International (Fair Trade Labeling Organisations) and was elected President and Chairwoman of the FLO Board from 2001 to 2004. She is also member of the board of different companies among them Migros, Romande Energie Holding Ltd., Transitec Ltd., Utilità (Investment Foundation for public utility real estates), and she is also Chairwoman of the advisory board of the ZKB/Swisscanto sustainable investment funds. Since 2005, Paola Ghillani has been Member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and now Honorary Member. As Innosuisse accredited coach, she is also coaching innovative startups having sustainable development as business model.

On the 1st of September 2005, Paola Ghillani has founded her own company, the Paola Ghillani & Friends Ltd., active in corporate strategies and management consulting, and in promoting and implementing innovation in the field of sustainable development and circular economy. More than a company, it’s a philosophy with the vision: For a better world thanks to a responsible economy.

Paola Ghillani graduated with a degree in pharmacy from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. She completed her business background at the IMD in Lausanne, with a degree in International General Management, the International Program for Board Management and the Digital Transformation Program for Board. In addition to her many achievements, Ms. Ghillani was selected in 2000 as Global Leader for Tomorrow (GLT) by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In 2009, she was awarded the Great Binding Prize for nature and environment protection in Vaduz for her lifework.