By: Chiara Accardi

Anca Gherle believes that lasting change comes from collaboration. For 14 years, she has navigated the complex dynamics between the private sector, government, and NGOs, driven by the belief that societal progress is achieved when diverse forces work together. Guided by a deep respect for those who came before her, Anca is focused on creating partnerships that benefit future generations.

Her journey reflects a commitment to fostering growth, trust, and stronger communities. With experience ranging from media relations to engaging with global leaders, Anca brings a unique perspective on today’s societal challenges. She believes that collaboration and transparency are key to building a resilient society that values every voice.

In this interview, we’ll explore Anca Gherle’s motivations, her experience, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she uses to bridge the private-public divide and drive meaningful change.

1. How do you see AI shaping public affairs and policy-making, and how do you advise clients to navigate these advancements while addressing ethical concerns?

Anca Gherle: I believe AI can become our worst nightmare or our biggest opportunity to evolve, innovate, and grow a country’s economy by enhancing productivity within all sectors. 

At the end of the day it is in our power how to perceive this new digital area and make the most out of the new innovative AI tools, both in the private and also, within public administration processes. 

However, with these advancements come significant ethical concerns, such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, intellectual property, and the potential for AI to widen social inequalities and generate job losses for millions of people across the globe. 

The question here is how we will manage to avoid these foreseeable risks and develop a balanced approach to AI’s potential while tackling and prioritizing the existing ethical concerns. 

As an AI ethics expert, I acknowledge that the first step we should take in ensuring transparency in AI systems, learning how to master AI tools and understand how decisions are made. In order to tackle this step, the answer lies in investing in the inclusion of diverse voices, mitigating bias, enhancing our digital literacy, digital infrastructure, and governmental support for all categories of business.  

I am happy and grateful to collaborate and exchange knowledge with experts within the digital regulation field, such as Sabin Sarmas (president of the T&C committee within the Chamber of Deputies), from whom I truly learned the real perspective on the Romanian digital market. 

Thank you for making a difference and guiding me! 

2. How does your cross-sector experience benefit your clients as Country Director for Romania? How do these perspectives enhance your strategic solutions?

Anca Gherle:  My cross-sector experience brings essential insights, experience, and skills from my work in media relations, global leadership, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), enabling me to understand the unique challenges and opportunities each sector faces.

As a public affairs strategic planner and connector for global multinational companies with governmental bodies, I always strive to craft action-based solutions that are holistic, sustainable, and efficient for all parties involved. 

In my current role as Country Director for Aretera PA Romania, I benefit from the ability to see a project from multiple angles—economic, social, and regulatory policy changes. 

When advising our clients, I take into account how to align corporate objectives with national development goals, such as job creation or infrastructure investment, ensuring that the expansion is not only profitable but also socially beneficial. 

While developing these practical solutions, I am guided by my understanding of governmental priorities, regulatory environments, and opportunities. This perspective ensures that all needs are addressed, leading to more resilient and successful outcomes.

3. What advice would you give young professionals aiming to impact public policy and corporate strategy? What skills and mindsets are essential for success?

Anca Gherle: As young professionals represent our future, I believe it’s our absolute most important duty to support them grow and help them grasp the skills needed to reach success and create an impactful change within all nations across the globe. 

I often believe that the mindset is definitely stronger than the skills learned in practice, dealing every day with changing landscapes due to technological advancements, global events, and shifting societal expectations. The young professionals out there who are reading this article, the mindset of integrity, responsibility and ethical decision-making is crucial for your success 

From my own experience, I believe that the skills needed to develop are analytical thinking, interpreting complex data and policy implications, communication skills, and effectively advocating and building consensus among diverse stakeholders. 

In today’s world, trust is the most valuable currency we have in this field. Building a strong network through authenticity, transparency and professionalism is an absolute necessity for successful partnerships and reliable coalitions. 

4. What strategies do you use to foster trust and collaboration with stakeholders across public and private sectors? How do you ensure these relationships are strong and beneficial?

Anca Gherle: Creating a foundation of trust takes time and commitment to shape a culture of openness and accountability.

Every strong partnership starts with open communication and clear expectations addressed, in order to build the common goals and commitments needed to implement action-based solutions. The actions and strategy developed are based on factual and measurable data so we can bring bullet-proof evidence over the impact of any regulatory change or use the information in building an efficient strategy.  

I have always strongly advocated for participatory governance and through my activity, I am focused on creating a balanced approach through the involvement of experts, professors, civil society, and governmental bodies. 

These partnerships become more impactful and beneficial through proactive collaboration, agreement, and down-to-earth solutions. 

5. Reflecting on your career, what has been the most rewarding project, and what made it stand out—impact, challenges, or partnerships?

Prior to mentioning the policies that I am most proud of, I would like to express my gratitude to the people who gave me the opportunity to make it possible! Thank you all for believing in me!

For myself, family comes first and their support during these years made a difference in my career path. My absolute gratitude goes to them! 

During my career path in the political and private sectors, I believe I have learned from the best. I am grateful for the political skills learned from Aurelia Cristea (former Minister of Social Dialogue), Emilian Pavel (Subprefect of Oradea county), Gabriel Petrea (Deputy General Director, Polytechnic University of Bucharest), Mihai Rotaru (CEO, UrbanAir), Claudia Breure (Managing Director, Mavence) and Chris Dobson (Managing Partner of Aretera Public Affairs). 

Reflecting upon my activity in the private sector, one of the most challenging projects of my career so far is advocating and implementing a digital regulation in Romania for intermediary apps. 

Through the “ridesharing law,” alongside experts, public affairs managers and governmental bodies, we eliminated the monopoly in the public transport sector and impacted more than five million Romanian citizens, and over 80,000 jobs have been created. 

Lastly, I believe the most rewarding project is taking up the challenge to set up and grow from scratch a team of experienced and professional people in Aretera PA Romania, that I am most proud of.    

Published by: Khy Talara