Gaia Van der Esch

Gaia van der Esch is an Italian-Dutch executive, policy expert, and author, committed to building a fair and sustainable world.

Gaia is the director of a foundation that operates in over 30 countries to build a world with zero exclusion, zero carbon emissions, and zero poverty. Previously, she served as the G20 EMPOWER Sherpa and held various executive roles at non-profit organizations and think tanks in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Author of the bestseller “Leading Our Way: How Women Are Redefining Leadership” and “Volti d’Italia,” Gaia also writes for international publications and is a keynote speaker on issues of equity, sustainability, politics, and leadership.

It has been recognized by Forbes as 30under30 at the European level (2017) and as Rising Talent by the Women’s Forum (2024/2025). She has obtained two master's degrees, one from Sciences Po and one from Harvard.