Germana Barba is a political scientist and seasoned Public Affairs professional with over two decades of international experience at the intersection of business, public institutions, and civil society. She specializes in regulatory strategy, policy engagement, and ethical leadership—and is known for building unlikely bridges across sectors and ideologies.

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As the youngest female Vice President at Philip Morris International, Germana played a central role in the company’s transformation towards smoke-free alternatives. She led global advocacy efforts, negotiated complex EU and international regulatory frameworks, and contributed to embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals into corporate practices. She was also a company spokesperson featured in global media and a sought-after voice at public policy and regulatory forums around the world.

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Throughout her work, Germana is driven by a simple yet powerful belief: tangible change is only possible when public institutions, the private sector, and civil society work together. Each actor has a distinct role to play, but progress requires a mindset of collective action—a mindset she seeks to inspire in every project, classroom, and conversation.

 

Earlier in her career, Germana worked in politics and journalism, contributing to various Italian newspapers and authoring two books: The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (2000) and Sette Volte (2012), a semi-autobiographical novel. She is a member of the Italian National Association of Journalists and has collaborated with institutions like the International Labour Organization.

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In recent years, Germana has focused on driving positive change through consulting, teaching, and thought leadership. Since 2021 she works as an independent Public Affairs Advisor, helping organizations navigate regulatory complexity and create opportunities for favourable policy change.

 

She teaches Lobbying & Advocacy, Negotiation, Business Ethics, and Cross-Cultural Management at leading academic institutions, including LUISS University in Rome, the University of Pavia, and the Rome Business School. She also leads workshops on AI policy, stakeholder engagement, and leadership.

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Germana has often been described as an “unconventional leader”—one who listens deeply, shares generously, empathizes easily, and leads in service of others. She is the founder of Women in Action, co-founder of KINDNESSforBusiness and Public Affairs & Careers, and a Board Member of Global Women in PR Italia. She also serves as an international mentor to emerging Public Affairs professionals worldwide.

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Germana holds a Laurea cum laude in Political Science and Diplomatic Studies from the University of Trieste and two MSc degrees from the London School of Economics, in International Relations and European Studies. She is an alumna of Erasmus University, the Aspen Institute, and the Rotary Foundation’s Ambassadorial Scholarship program.

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You can find Germana on LinkedIn.