CRISTINA DI SILVIO: Influential Women to Watch for in 2025
Cristina Di Silvio is a consultant in her own firm which has offices in Rome, London and Malta. She holds several important positions at an national and international level, including: International Relations Representative of SIRIP – Union of Representatives of Parliamentary Interests at the European Parliament – Bruxelles, Head of Management for Foreign Institutional Relations of SIRIP – Union of Representatives of Parliamentary Interests at the Italian Chamber of Deputies – Montecitorio Rome, and Global Ambassador for Italy and Malta under the Global Council for Responsible AI.
Tell us about your background and what you are passionate about.
I was born in Rome, I am the mother of two beautiful sons, I have two degrees (Economics and Commerce and an Honorary Degree in Communication Sciences).
Progress, peace, respect for the environment and the well-being of all peoples, with mutual respect for diversity. This is what I am passionate about. This is what I strive for every day, despite my hectic professional schedule. But I try never to forget the human aspect of solidarity and helping the weakest. In the humanitarian sector, I started as a volunteer at Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome and then went on several missions abroad with Caritas. I have travelled all over the world (Mexico, Santo Domingo, Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Oman, Morocco and many others) and these have been priceless human experiences that I will never forget, that I have passed on to my children and that I will always continue to promote.
Humanity has always been at the forefront of your mind. Share your philosophy and how it relates to your consulting business.
I have no hesitation in answering this question: my philosophy, my guiding star, is respect for human dignity, first enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. It is a fundamental principle that has underpinned my personal and professional life, but which, despite solemn proclamations, is unfortunately constantly being called into question. In fact, the path to the realisation of human rights is constantly exposed to serious violations. That is why I have always wanted to do my part to ensure that respect is shown for each and every human being, in whatever context he or she may be found. As you know, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights identifies four fundamental pillars: dignity, freedom, equality and fraternity, and these are the principles that guide me in my work as a consultant and in my private life, principles that I have embraced and taught my children.
As far as my professional life is concerned, I have daily and eager contacts from the business world to the institutional world, from the diplomatic world to the political world, but also with ordinary people, friends, colleagues, in short, I live in a world rich in aspects and points of view that enrich me as a professional and as a woman. This is the basis of my consultancy work, to which I devote myself every day.
What will people notice when working with you?
I have always given my best to both my studies and my work. The training, which was long and demanding, shaped me and helped to harden my character, making me stronger and more resilient. In the field of finance and international relations, in which I work, it is necessary to be prepared, capable and constantly up to date with international developments in the economic, geopolitical, financial and other fields, so this activity requires great preparation and total dedication. This is where I believe and hope that everyone who works with me, or will work with me in the future, will see all the love, commitment, passion and expertise that I put into my work every day.
Tell us about being an Ambassador for the Global Council for Responsible AI and your work with AI.
I am honoured to have been given this position in such an influential organisation that is actively and deeply involved in such an important issue. Indeed, with the increasing development of AI technologies, we are rapidly approaching an era in which this extraordinary tool, with its multiple applications, will be increasingly present in each of our lives: in our homes, in our offices, in our businesses, in our institutions. Of course, it will be necessary to put in place targeted, intelligent and adaptable security measures that are as adaptable as this extraordinary technology, but which must always remain carefully under human control so that it is used wisely and responsibly. In concrete terms, AI is destined to become more and more of a global staple, which is why being an ambassador for the Global Council for Responsible AI is a source of great pride and responsibility for me.
You have also taken the pledge to step into this role at the House of Lords in London, marking a significant milestone in the Council’s global mission to make AI ethical, sovereign, and beneficial for all humanity. What does this mean to you?
I am very proud to have been given this assignment and to have had the opportunity to be part of such a significant, I would say historic, event in such a prestigious setting. I am proud of this and it is a further incentive for me to work even harder to ensure that the use of AI is always done ethically and correctly. Very often, unfortunately, in every part of the world and in every context, there are cases of bad, if not criminal, use of AI to exploit this miracle of technology for serious wrongdoing. I am deeply aware of the need to counter these occurrences and to be vigilant about the proper use of AI by each of us.
Please share your success over the past 6-months.
My professional activity takes place on several fronts and therefore, in addition to the honour of joining GCRAI as Global Ambassador for Italy and Malta, in the last 6 months I have had many other professional satisfactions both in the national and international field. In fact, I have obtained the position of Interest Representative and Head of International Institutional Relations at the European Parliament and the Chamber of Deputies for SIRIP – Syndicate of Representatives of Parliamentary Interests, I have been appointed Italy Country Chair Leadership Parity & Legislative Power Wing at The Club G100, Representative for the International Affairs Sector at the WEF – Women Economic Forum and also appointed member of the Technical Scientific Committee at the Centro Studi Federico II. I have also been included in the ranking of the 50 most influential Italian women in 2024 by MPW ITALY 2024, Italy’s Most Powerful Women, FORTUNE ITALY.
Your ability to unite technical acumen with compassionate leadership have made her a sought-after speaker. Tell us about your topics and your upcoming speaking engagements.
In addition to my participation in purely technical events, where I have dealt with subjects in line with my training and professional background, and therefore of an economic, legal or financial nature, I have always had a passion for subjects that are more closely related to the human sphere, and therefore I have gladly participated and continue to participate in conferences and events where I have been able to make my contribution, thanks to the experience I have gained, both in my own country and through my extensive travels abroad, often to poor countries where emergencies are the order of the day. I started as a volunteer at the Bambino Gesù Hospital and then went on several missions abroad with Caritas.
I travelled around the world, taking my then young children with me, even though it meant a greater commitment. But it was an invaluable human experience for both me and them, which taught us so much. That is why, when I am invited, I like to take part in conferences that are outside my strictly professional profile but close to my sensibilities: for these reasons, I have recently taken part in conferences on meritocracy, gender equality, violence against women, family law, peace talks, sustainable development, prison conditions, prevention and health. It is precisely on this theme that I was invited and honoured to participate in the 10th edition of the prestigious PreSa (Prevention and Health) Award in Rome on 18 December last year. Dr Denis Mukwege, gynaecologist and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, also attended the conference from a distance and wished to send a video from the hospital from the hospital where he works in the Republic of Congo, describing the critical situation in his country and the atrocities committed against women, and to publicly thank me for what I do to support his charitable work.
Finally, to stay on topic, I attended the World Rare Disease Day conference in Naples, Italy where I gave a presentation on relations with the institutions and Europe on this sensitive issue, due to my position in the European Parliament.
What is your vision for 2025?
We come from a year, 2024, in which global tensions have increased and, unfortunately, 2025 is shaping up to be a very complicated year in which new political, economic and health challenges are intertwined. The new administration of the United States, the divisions within the European Union, the always complicated relationship with the East, the critical issues of the African continent… There are very serious crises that have led to wars and bloodbaths, even on our own continent, and then we have to deal with the use of new communication tools and technologically advanced and very rapidly evolving tools, such as AI, which we have to be vigilant about. For my part, I will continue to pursue the objectives that have guided my personal path: respect for human dignity and rights, the protection of the smallest and weakest, and the respectful and wise use of technologies that will help us develop harmonious growth in every country, while at the same time preventing their distorted and evil use to the benefit of the few and the detriment of the many. Anyone who sincerely wishes to bring words of reassurance wherever they are needed will always be able to count on me.
