Giovanna Melandri. Born in New York 28th January 1962, married and has a daughter.
Founder and Chairwoman of Human Foundation, President of the MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts and Member of the G8 Social Impact Investment Task Force.
Graduated cum laude in Economic Policy at “La Sapienza” University of Rome, she was awarded an H.C. degree from the John Cabot University in 2000. In July 2003, she received the title of “Officer de la Legion d’ Honneur” from French President Jacques Chirac.
Member of the Italian Parliament from 1994 to 2012 she has held the position of Minister of Culture (1998- 2001) and Minister of Youth Policies and Sport (2006-2008). During her political career, she has developed a wide and varied international experience as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Chair of the Human Right sub-committee. She has been engaged cultural affairs, human rights, social and environmental policies. She was part of the Italian Delegation to Bergen Sustainable Development Conference and the Rio Earth Summit of 1992. Previous to her institutional role, between 1983 and 1987 she was heading a research team on Industrial Policy at Montedison, and from 1988 to 1994 Head of the International Office and Scientific Board of Legambiente (a major environmental NGO). Active member of several Italian and International Networks for the empowerment and a wider presence of women in public life, she has published several books and articles and writes monthly on Che Futuro! a blog dedicated to social innovation.