Hello
My name is Roberta, and I am a co-founder of LunaLab. Born and raised in the beautiful island of Sicily, I lived around the world, studied in prestigious universities and worked for major international organisations. Today, I split my time between Brussels and Washington D.C., juggling family life alongside a new professional path.
This one below is a glimpse of my personal journey to creating LunaLab. I hope my story inspires you to embrace your own journey — as powerful and unique, as you are.
My Story
Growing up, I felt an inner voice promising that I was meant to do great things. I wanted to make a positive difference for others, experience diverse cultures and travel the world. So, I left home early, studied passionately, and engaged in extensive volunteering across different continents to build the impactful international career I dreamed of.
However, my understanding of success became heavily influenced by external validation. I believed that acquiring a meaningful role in a respected international institution was the only way to fulfill that promise to my young self. And over time, I became obsessed with the "how" of getting there, losing sight of my "why."
Falling in love brought a first shift in priorities. I chose to follow my husband and support his stable career instead of standing up for my own aspirations, believing it made more sense to build a family together. I listen to my heart, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was giving up who I wanted to be. I felt drifting away from my passions — helping others, connecting with people, experiencing different cultures — as I engaged in office-based roles, mostly focused on research tasks. I started bouncing from job to job, often questioning my own worth and purpose. Then, becoming a mom added another layer of complexity and shifted my priorities even further.
The real turning point came after I returned to Europe during the pandemic. While giving birth to my second child, I experienced obstetrical violence and medical negligence, which left me grappling with PTSD and severe permanent physical trauma. It took me a while to recover and make the difficult choice to hold the medical providers accountable for their wrongdoings—I stood up for myself and for the countless women who have faced similar experiences. During this time, I dedicated two years to studying leadership development and coaching while exploring women’s health and matrescence—the transformative journey of becoming a mother. I continue to struggle with my physical condition, which, despite recent pelvic floor surgery, remains unresolved—all while striving to be the best mom for my wonderful children.
Moving forward, I am channeling my hardships into a mission to prevent other women from facing similar challenges and support those who have. While this path is still unfolding, I am driven to establish the first pan-European association of NGOs supporting families affected by birth-related trauma, advocating for the recognition of obstetric violence as a crime across EU member states, and raising awareness about the importance of women’s pelvic floor health and mother-centered practices.
Co-founding LunaLab with my inspiring friend Agata has become a profound part of this mission. We believe that thriving starts from within, and that by focusing on our personal growth, we can better navigate challenges and lead our lives with purpose and joy.
Despite my still ongoing health issues, I see hidden treasures in my story. Even on tough days, I choose to view it this way: challenges can define you or develop you; ultimately, the choice is yours.