Theresa
Zabell

Theresa’s professional career began at sea forty years ago. Today it is hard to imagine what it was like to learn to sail, aiming to compete at the highest level, when only a few women in the world were doing it. Four decades ago, being an Olympic champion seemed like an impossible dream, but Theresa has always been willing to fight for what does not yet exist, for a better future.

Being an elite athlete is not an ephemeral profession, it is a philosophy of life that would never leave her. The skills developed in such a challenging and changing environment as the sea have accompanied her in her professional career, focused on the defense of environmental sustainability, the care of people and the planet through education as well as institutional and corporate action.

Theresa has developed projects in leading international organizations. As a member of the European Parliament, she led the way to include sports in the Treaty of the European Union, negotiating at the highest level, as unanimity of the Member States is required. She established a great relationship with the IOC (International Olympic Committee) members from all around the world, to gain their confidence for Olympic bids and future competitions. She has managed, coordinated and supervised international sporting events and participated and worked on international relations in International Sports Forums. As an International Consultant for UNESCO, she established processes to be applied in different countries and liaised with governments involved in doping practices.

Her experience as an advisor in such diversified and demanding environments, which require outstanding communication skills, persuasion and strategic vision as well as flexibility and willingness to conduct constructive dialogue, have enabled her to transmit her knowledge in different forums. As a TEDx speaker, inspiring a new generation of conscious leaders; and as an expert ESG advisor, driving changes and strategic plans that build a sustainable future for corporations.

She is the founder and executive president of the Ecomar Foundation with more than 24 years of recognized and consolidated experience in the protection of the marine environment, leading the way for many newer associations that have followed her footsteps.