Giovanna Li Perni

A development economist graduated at Bocconi University in Milan, Giovanna also holds a Master in Social Development Planning and Management and a Master in Peacekeeping and Security Studies. In 2016, she got the Diploma in Fundraising of the Institute of Fundraising in London.

After a first part of her career spent as a development practitioner in Argentina, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russian Federation and Zambia, Giovanna turned herself into a fundraiser. In 2008 she started up the major donor program at UNICEF Italy, where she later become also Responsible of Legacy Fundraising. In 2013, she joined UNHCR to start up the major donor and legacies programs.

Giovanna has published the first ever research on the philanthropy of the wealthy in Italy (two editions, in 2015 and 2016) and together with AIRC’s major donor fundraiser Chiara Blasi the first ever research on Italian not for profits’ major donors (two editions, in 2016 and 2017).

Being a “people person”, Giovanna is passionate about philanthropy and fundraising.