Dona Bertarelli
Dona Bertarelli | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 3, 1968 Rome, Italy |
| Occupation(s) | Business leader, philanthropist, sailor |
| Known for | Co-chair of Bertarelli Foundation, founder of Sails of Change, co-founder of Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, ocean conservation advocate |
Dona Bertarelli (also referred to as Donata Guichard Bertarelli) (born 1968) is a Swiss business leader, philanthropist, and advocate for ocean conservation. She holds the position of co-chair at the Bertarelli Foundation, is the founder of Sails of Change, co-founder of the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, and established Global Fishing Watch Marine Manager. Additionally, Bertarelli acts as a Patron of Nature for the IUCN.
An accomplished sailor, she claimed victories in the Bol d'Or Mirabaud in both 2010 and 2014 and captained Spindrift Racing to triumph in the 2013 Fastnet Race. That same year, her team set a new record along the America Discovery Route. In the winter of 2016, she successfully completed the Jules Verne Trophy challenge.
In recognition of her achievements, Bertarelli was awarded the title of Knight in France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour and Commander in Ecuador’s national Order of Honorato Vásquez in 2023.
Early life and education
Born on 3 March 1968 in Rome to Maria Iris and Fabio Bertarelli, she and her brother Ernesto inherited the family biotechnology firm Serono, established in 1906, which laid the groundwork for their family fortune. The Bertarelli family now maintains a broad portfolio including finance, real estate, healthcare, sports, hospitality, and agriculture sectors. According to Forbes (2024), Dona Bertarelli ranks as the world’s 486th wealthiest individual with an estimated net worth of $6.2 billion.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Communication at Boston University.
Business
Between 1992 and 1997, Bertarelli served as Executive Director of Public and Professional Affairs at Serono, where she initiated both the Serono Symposia and Serono Foundation. The company was acquired by Merck KGaA in early 2007.
In 2003, she purchased the luxury Grand Hôtel Park located in Gstaad. Following extensive renovations, management transitioned to Four Seasons in January 2025.
In June 2020, she was appointed as a special adviser to UNCTAD.
Expanding into high-end fashion, Bertarelli acquired Italian brand Fiorucci towards the end of 2022.
Demonstrating her dedication to marine preservation, she took on the role of Executive Producer for Deep Rising, an environmental documentary released in 2023.
In May 2025, Aman Resorts announced its first Bahamian resort, Amancaya, developed jointly with Bertarelli and investment firm Squircle Capital.
Philanthropy
After her father’s passing in 1999, Bertarelli and her brother established the Bertarelli Foundation to promote advancements in scientific research and social progress related to infertility. She held the Chairmanship for a decade.
In collaboration with UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi, she co-authored a 2020 publication promoting sustainable blue recovery strategies aimed at fostering growth within the blue economy. In November 2020, she endorsed the Island Council of Tristan da Cunha’s initiative to create an extensive marine protected area.
The Bertarelli Rare Cancers Fund supported projects totaling USD 15 million in research and community programs throughout 2021. In October 2022, she launched Sports for Nature alongside the International Union for Conservation of Nature, aiming to harness sports as a tool for environmental advocacy.
Bertarelli serves as an ambassador for Ma Vie Ton Sang, a Swiss blood transfusion charity, and backs the World Health Organization’s ‘Go Red for Women’ campaign. She is also godmother to Womanity (previously Smiling Children).
In April 2024, she joined other donors in committing USD 60.8 million toward safeguarding the Mediterranean Sea.
Sailing
Bertarelli is passionate about sailing and has competed since 2007 with her Spindrift Racing team in multihull regattas on Lake Léman, piloting her Décision 35 catamaran, Ladycat. In 2010, she made history as the first female helmsman to win the Bol d'Or Mirabaud race since 1939, leading her team to victory.
In early 2013, Bertarelli purchased the Maxi Trimaran Maxi Banque Populaire V for Spindrift Racing. Renamed Maxi Spindrift 2, she co-captained the vessel to triumph in the 45th Rolex Fastnet Race and established a new record for the America Discovery Route by surpassing the prior best time by more than 20 hours.
Spindrift 2 successfully defended its title at the 46th Rolex Fastnet Race in August 2015. Later that year, Bertarelli, together with Yann Guichard and their crew, embarked on an attempt to break the Jules Verne Trophy—the crewed non-stop circumnavigation record—aboard Spindrift 2. Although they fell short of breaking the record, Bertarelli achieved the distinction of being the fastest woman to circumnavigate the globe by sail.
In November 2021, Bertarelli and Guichard launched their maxi-trimaran Sails of Change from La Trinite-sur-Mer as preparation for another Jules Verne Trophy challenge. This endeavor also supported the 30 by 30 initiative aimed at conserving 30% of Earth's oceans by 2030. Unfortunately, adverse winter weather conditions compelled them to halt their fourth attempt in February 2022. Undeterred, they continued pursuing various record-breaking objectives throughout 2022, with Bertarelli actively championing ocean conservation at the One Ocean Summit.
By October 2022, Bertarelli and Guichard had their crew on alert to renew their Jules Verne Trophy bid aboard Sails of Change, focusing on achieving the fastest non-stop and unassisted global circumnavigation.
Publications
- 22 March 2021 – Opinion piece: The blue economy presents vast opportunities to promote gender equality
- 26 August 2022 – Opinion piece: Urgent action needed to safeguard our high seas
- 24 October 2022 – Opinion piece: Immediate leadership required to protect the Southern Ocean