Nicole Rita Napoli is a passionate advocate for EU affairs, youth empowerment, and social development. She currently serves as a Project Support Assistant at the European Commission (DG-SANTE), where she manages digital solutions related to health and food security. Her responsibilities include ensuring data integrity, supporting governance processes, coordinating team communication, and facilitating strategic project management across a multicultural team. As part of her role, Nicole participated in the Leadership Acceleration Program by Pauwels Consulting, where she further honed her leadership and communication skills. Furthermore, she has been appointed as Pauwels Ambassadors for the European Commission team.
Nicole currently serves as the EU Delegate to the Y20 — the official Youth Engagement Group of the G20 — whose Summit will take place in South Africa. She is negotiating under the track Inclusive Social Development and Fighting Inequality, reflecting her longstanding dedication to equity, youth advocacy, and inclusive policy. Her commitment to empowering youth is further demonstrated by her upcoming participation in the European Youth Event (EYE) at the European Parliament in Strasbourg in June, where she will engage in dialogue on youth policy, EU citizenship, and the future of Europe with decision-makers and fellow young leaders. She is also a strong proponent of gender equality. As a delegate to the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, she contributed to discussions marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration. She has also taken part in the World Food Forum at FAO headquarters, contributing to the global debate on sustainable food systems and youth engagement.
In May 2025, Nicole will serve as Liaison Officer for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Summit, which will be held in Italy for the first time. In this capacity, she will ensure seamless coordination between the Host Country Secretariat, the ADB, and international delegations, while overseeing the agenda, and managing protocol and diplomatic communications. Her commitment to international cooperation was previously demonstrated during her time as Project Manager at the Lombardy Region Delegation to the EU, where she promoted cross-border initiatives, liaising with international organizations such as WHO, ICGEB, and HaDEA, and organizing stakeholder events.
Truly European, Nicole’s educational path – mainly focused on trade – spans six universities across multiple countries, including three Erasmus+ program and an exchange as well as experience within the Junior Enterprise LIUC. Throughout her international journey, she is now fluent in five languages — including the Italian Sign Language. She is currently completing an Advanced Master in European Law and Policies at LUISS Guido Carli University, with a thesis exploring the EU’s leadership role in global trade governance within the WTO, ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon (2026). She was awarded the America Youth Award 2023 by the Italy–USA Foundation, a national recognition for academic excellence. As part of this honor, she received a scholarship to pursue the Foundation’s “Executive Master in Leadership for International Relations and Made in Italy”.
Her personal motto, “to generate impact in the communities in which I live,” stems from her roots in Menfi, a small town in Sicily. During her undergraduate studies, she dedicated her thesis to crafting a development plan for Menfi’s growth while actively serving in the Cabinet Office of the local Municipality. This community-driven spirit continues to guide her leadership journey. She is a Founding Member of the Rotary e-club “Città dei Laghi” – District 2042, where she serves as International Action Referee, and she leads the BENELUX chapter of LIUC Alumni. Nicole is deeply committed to advancing inclusive policies that tackle systemic inequality and create tangible impact — ensuring all voices, especially those of youth, are heard and represented on the global stage.
