Gioia Venturini, 39, earned degrees from ENA (2002), the Institut de Gestion de Rennes (1998), IEP Paris (1997) and the Scuola Superiore per Interpreti e Traduttori (1995). Gioia Venturini started her career with Finmeccanica in 1998 as a project manager in the International Affairs department. She then joined CEIS as consultant and Deputy Director of Business Development for major accounts, including Areva and Dassault. In 2002 she was named Senior Manager for Europe and Africa at EADS International, then moved to Arianespace in 2007 as Director of Government and Commercial sales for Europe and Africa.