An author and political activist in Italy, Paola Diana is a mouthpiece for female equality in a country that has some of the worst work place equality in the world ranking 118th out of 144 countries in terms of women’s participation in economic life and 126th for wage equality for similar work according to the 2017 Global Gender Gap Index. In Italy.
In Italy she led organisation PariMerito (Equal Merit), to lobby the Italian Government to pass new equality laws in the work place, including a new bill requiring every company board to have minimum 30% female representation.
Paola is also an award winning entrepreneur, starting her first business as a single mother of two, which has now led her to create the hugely successful Diana Group, comprises three separate businesses Nanny&Butler, Sigillus and Supreme PA, and has established itself as a market leader in recruitment and lifestyle services, recognised as one of London’s most influential service providers for high net worth individuals, families and corporations around the world.
She is now based permanently in London, where she divides her time between The Diana Group, her gender equality activism, her writing and her family.Her new book, Saving the World, argues that the treatment of women is the only indicator needed for a society’s worth and that Britain is the country best placed to work towards global equality.
Describe a typical day for you?
I always start my day making sure I eat a healthy breakfast and reading the newspaper. Exercise is a vital part of my morning routine; a hard workout is key to getting my brain going. Once at work, my day revolves around meetings, researching new projects and writing for my new book. If I have events in the evening I will never stay too late as I know the importance of a good sleep.
What do you feel are your biggest achievements?
I’ve achieved many things in my life that I’m extremely proud of but I would have to say the biggest one is my children.
What’s in your handbag/ satchel?
Wallet, 2 iPhones, keys, lip-gloss, business cards,.
What are your ambitions in life?
I hope that my books and my words will inspire millions of women and men around the world to make it a better place. I will have reached my goal once we have total global gender equality. Whilst living in Italy, I lobbied the Italian Government to pass new equality laws in the work place, including a new bill for every company board for better female representation. I am now working towards closing the gender pay gap, through the Bonus Care Draft, a proposal which will give working mothers a tax break. It might now look impossible now, but I hope you and believe in your goal I do think anything is achievable.
What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career you now know?
I wish I’d believed in my own success from an earlier point in my career.
What do you wish you’d known about motherhood before having kids?
Nothing, to be a mother is in my nature.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
I hope to be speaking at conferences about women’s rights around the world and also for my writing to have become a more full time focus. I also would love to one day train as a neuroscientist.
What advice would you give an entrepreneur?
Believe in yourself. Never give up. Work hard and you will succeed.
Finally, happiness is…
Spending time for yourself and with your loved ones doing what you love the most
Website: http://dianagroup.it/
Book website: http://quartetbooks.co.uk/shop/saving-the-world/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/paoladiana_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/paoladiana_
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My debut book is my guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home and offers insight into how to create a digital business or return to work with confidence.
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