Claudia Laricchia

Global Strategic Partnerships & Public Affairs Leader | Founder, SMILY Academy

Rome, IT.

About

A visionary global strategist and public affairs leader with 24 years of international experience, Claudia bridges diverse cultures and sectors to drive impactful social and environmental change. As the Founder of SMILY Academy and Head of International Cooperation for the Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Justice Forum, she champions a unique blend of systemic thinking, cross-cultural collaboration, and inner wisdom. Claudia is dedicated to fostering sustainable development and empowering youth globally, embodying a lifelong journey for a better humanity through global vision and local actions.

Work

Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Justice Forum

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Head of International Cooperation

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Summary

Leads international collaborations and strategic initiatives for an indigenous organization, bridging global and local efforts to advance climate justice and empower marginalized communities.

Highlights

Appointed as the first Northern Globe person and first woman to this institutional leadership role, fostering unprecedented collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous entities.

Drives strategic partnerships to amplify the voices and solutions of indigenous peoples, who are custodians of 85% of global biodiversity.

Develops and implements impactful programs that integrate traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary sustainability challenges.

SMILY Academy (Sustainable Mindset and Inner Level for Youth)

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Founder & CEO

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Summary

Established and leads a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a sustainable mindset and inner development for youth through challenge-based eco-businesses.

Highlights

Conceptualized and launched SMILY Academy as a unique platform for cross-cultural collaboration, empowering youth with entrepreneurial skills for eco-conscious ventures.

Secured strategic partnerships with global organizations, including the Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Justice Forum, to expand program reach and impact.

Developed innovative educational frameworks that integrate inner wisdom with practical eco-business solutions for the next generation.

Multiple Academic Institutions

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Professor, Academic, Scientific Committee & Evaluation Commission Member, Think Tank Member

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Summary

Nurtures an extensive academic career, contributing to higher education, scientific research, and thought leadership in sustainability and innovation.

Highlights

Serves as Professor at Rome Business School (since 2018) and the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability (since 2023), shaping future leaders.

Contributes as a Member of Evaluation Commissions and Scientific Committees at the University of Studies of Foggia (since 2003) and Academic at Accademia dei Fisiocritici (since 2019).

Engages as a Member of the Cambridge-based Think Tanks NNedPRO and CREATE Academy (since 2024), fostering interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and research.

Global Strategic Partnerships & Public Affairs (Various Organizations)

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Lead Strategist & Public Affairs Expert

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Summary

Cultivated global partnerships and public affairs initiatives for 24 years, driving social and environmental impact across diverse sectors and continents.

Highlights

Traveled extensively across the USA, Latin America, Europe, UK, Arctic Circle, India, Thailand, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Africa, and UAE, establishing profound bonds with policymakers, scientists, and investors.

Developed and executed impactful projects focused on agribusiness, agrifoodtech, and creative industries, bridging countries and matching businesses to create mutual value.

Orchestrated complex institutional relations and public affairs strategies, successfully building ecosystems and unleashing power through strategic connections.

Applied a systemic mindset and holistic approach to foster collaboration, consistently transforming challenges into opportunities for cross-cultural growth and understanding.

Awards

Italian National Awards (4)

Various Italian National Organizations

Recognized with four distinct national awards for significant contributions in areas such as innovation, sustainability, and public affairs, demonstrating impactful leadership and professional excellence.

Publications

Facciamo finta che la scienza sia vera? Sguardo indigeno e riflessioni sul futuro

la Repubblica

Italian version of the article exploring indigenous perspectives on science and future implications.

SMILY Academy brings India to the Fireball Extreme Challenge World Cup in Italy in December 2025

Mahabahu.com

Details SMILY Academy's initiative to bring Indian youth to an international sports and cultural event, fostering global exchange and empowerment.

WORLD WATER DAY IS EVERYDAY

Mahabahu.com

Advocates for continuous awareness and action regarding global water resources beyond a single designated day.

Reversing history with today’s tools: the bridge between Europe and Indigenous Peoples

Mahabahu.com

Discusses the importance of forging new connections and understanding between European societies and indigenous communities using modern approaches.

Shall we pretend that science is true? Indigenous perspective and reflections on the future

Mahabahu.com

Examines the intersection of scientific knowledge and indigenous wisdom, prompting reflections on future paradigms.

Indigenous approach to entrepreneurship

Mahabahu.com

Highlights unique entrepreneurial models and philosophies rooted in indigenous cultures and practices.

Women Empowerment Alliance: Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

Mahabahu.com

Discusses collaborative efforts between indigenous and non-indigenous women for a more sustainable and equitable future.

Climate Olympics : Why do we have a 2-year window of opportunity?

Mahabahu.com

Analyzes the urgent timeframe for climate action, emphasizing the critical two-year window for impactful change.

Decolonizing Food: The Path to Rights and Equity

Mahabahu.com

Explores the concept of decolonizing food systems to ensure rights, equity, and sustainability in global food access.

The Smily Academy executive program with NNEdPro

Mahabahu.com

Details the executive program collaboration between SMILY Academy and NNedPro, focusing on advanced educational initiatives.

Transforming one's consciousness is an eco-business

Mahabahu.com

Explores the concept that personal transformation and inner development are integral to creating sustainable eco-businesses.

Happy Earth Day: less talk more trees

Mahabahu.com

Advocates for tangible environmental action, emphasizing tree planting over mere discussion on Earth Day.

In India, the Smily Academy for innovative eco-enterprises

Mahabahu.com

Highlights the establishment and mission of SMILY Academy in India, focusing on its role in fostering innovative eco-enterprises.

Smily Academy - Sustainable Mindset and Inner Level for Youth

Mahabahu.com

Provides a comprehensive overview of SMILY Academy's core mission and its focus on youth development for sustainability.

Smily Academy and International FXC Organization Forge Strategic Collaboration

Mahabahu.com

Details the strategic partnership between SMILY Academy and the International FXC Organization to achieve shared goals.

World Economic Forum, COP28 and the Indigenous Factor: can we trust the future?

Mahabahu.com

Explores the critical role of indigenous perspectives in global climate discussions and policy-making within the context of the World Economic Forum and COP28.

World Economic Forum, COP28 and the Indigenous Factor: can we trust the future?

Mahabahu.com

Explores the critical role of indigenous perspectives in global climate discussions and policy-making within the context of the World Economic Forum and COP28.

Certificates

The Climate Reality Project Leader Training

The Climate Reality Project (Al Gore)

UNDP CoFSA Retreat (Inner Dimension Focus)

UNDP CoFSA (Schumacher College & Plume Village)

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Global Vision, Ecosystem Building, Strategic Planning, Cross-Cultural Leadership, Institutional Relations, Public Affairs, Strategic Partnerships.

Sustainability & Impact

Climate Activism, Social Impact Projects, Environmental Projects, Indigenous Knowledge Integration, Sustainable Development, Eco-Business Development, Agrifoodtech, Agribusiness.

Education & Development

Academic Leadership, Continuous Learning, Youth Empowerment, Mentorship, Curriculum Development, Inner Development, Humane Education.

Project & Program Management

Project Management, Program Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Problem Solving, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Portfolio Management.

Communication & Relations

Strategic Communication, Intercultural Communication, Public Speaking, Media Relations, Networking, Negotiation.

Mindset & Values

Systemic Thinking, Holistic Approach, Empathy, Openness, Resilience, Authentic Leadership, Value Creation.

Interests

Global Culture & Travel

Cultural Exchange, Intercultural Communication, Global Connectivity, Personal Growth Through Travel.

Humanitarian & Social Impact

Better Humanity, Community Building, Inclusivity, Empowerment, Social Justice.

Environmental Stewardship

Climate Action, Biodiversity Preservation, Sustainable Living, Eco-Consciousness.

Personal Development

Inner Dimension, Consciousness Transformation, Mindfulness, Resilience Building.

Projects

SMILY Academy Initiative

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Summary

Founded a non-profit organization focused on empowering youth through sustainable mindset development and challenge-based eco-businesses, bridging indigenous wisdom with global initiatives.

EducActional Projects & Curriculum Development

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Summary

Designed and implemented educational initiatives and curricula aimed at fostering knowledge, critical thinking, and a humble leadership mindset across various academic and professional settings.

Global Ecosystem Building & Strategic Alliance Development

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Summary

Led and managed a portfolio of strategic projects focused on building global ecosystems and forging alliances between diverse stakeholders (governments, private sector, non-profits) to achieve shared social and environmental goals.