Silvia Steisel
Director, EuropeAs Director of Advisory Europe, Silvia works to expand RPA’s advisory and analysis services to support European donors, trusts, corporations, and foundations interested in pursuing ambitious philanthropic endeavors and impact-oriented investments.
Silvia began her career in cultural philanthropy and patronage before joining Belgium’s main private bank to develop its philanthropy advisory department. She served as the Managing Director of the Degroof Petercam Foundation for seven years before joining RPA. In 2015, she co-founded a tech startup aimed at enhancing accessibility and transparency in philanthropy. Additionally, she played a key role in establishing an impact investment fund and several non-profits. Passionate about strategic philanthropy, Silvia regularly shares her expertise through articles, teaching engagements, contributions to research, and as a speaker at conferences. She also serves on the board of her family foundation, which focuses on mental disabilities and autism.
Silvia holds a Master’s degree in History from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium, a postgraduate degree in Art History from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, and a degree in Business Management from Ichec Brussels Management School. She has completed certified executive education in impact investing from Oxford University and is currently pursuing an executive degree at Harvard Kennedy School in Public Policy.
Born in Brussels, raised in Flanders, and educated in the UK, Silvia is fluent in French, Dutch, and English. She divides her time between France and Belgium, primarily focusing on her work in Europe. Silvia is also the mother of three young children.