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Prof. Dr. Renata Thiébaut
Life and Career
Dr. Renata Thiébaut is Professor and Research Director of the Center for AI Governance and Ethics at Gisma University of Applied Sciences and brings an impressive combination of academic excellence and global practical experience.
As an expert in e-commerce, AI ethics and digitalization, particularly with a deep expertise in the Asian and North American markets, she has worked in senior positions in both the private and public sectors – including at renowned organizations such as Alibaba, Tencent and the United Nations. Her professional career spans several continents and cultures. Between 2018 and 2020, she was also a researcher at Harvard University.
Internationally acclaimed, Dr. Renata has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies. She has effectively managed a diverse portfolio of over 1,000 brands, including PepsiCo, Unilever’s Hourglass, Mondelēz, Nestlé (Beba and Garoto brands), Drogerie Markt, Aldi and Metro supermarkets, Dr. Oetker, Hansgrohe, among others; and collaborated with notable figures such as Taylor Swift, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Jennifer Aniston, Hulk, Jamie Foxx, Carmelo Anthony and Scottie Pippen. Her dedication to empowering women and minorities in tech earned her the prestigious 2020 Innovator of the Year award from the International Professional Women’s Society, solidifying her reputation as a global leader in driving inclusive innovation. She has recently received the 2025 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics Awards.
With her extensive expertise in e-commerce, digital strategy and transformation in multinational teams, Prof. Dr. Thiébaut sets new standards for the future of digitalization and enriches Gisma with innovative perspectives. She is an IEEE AI Ethics Assessor as well as Editor and Peer Reviewer at the United Nations Secretariat.