A public figure and expert of marine protection and conservation, Mariasole Bianco studied the management of marine protected areas in Australia, and returned to Italy in 2013 to invest her knowledge and skills in the defense of the Mediterranean.

She is the co-founder and president of the association Worldrise, engaged in safeguarding marine ecosystems through awareness projects that aim to reconnect humans and nature, training future generations to safeguard their Mediterranean ecosystem heritage.

She has taught nature conservation at the University of Genoa and since 2012 has participated in the World Commission on Protected Areas for the IUCN, the International Union for the Protection of Nature. In 2019, she was awarded the DonnAmbiente Prize and was selected as moderator for the United Nations “World Oceans Day”. She was included in Forbes’ list of 100 successful Italian women in 2021, and once again in 2026.

She collaborates with institutions, companies, and the media to bring ocean culture everywhere – from national TV to podcasts, and from universities to businesses. Combining expertise and passion, she transforms a love for the sea into a wave of change that re-connects people to the ocean, builds awareness of its importance, and fosters a collective commitment to its protection.”