Pau Castellví Canet

Researcher | R&D Executive | Disability Rights Advocate | "40 under 40" Europe (BEA)

I bridge research, policy, and practice to drive systemic change. As a Research & Development executive I lead the Data & Knowledge Department at Làbora, the Barcelona City Council’s public-social labor market inclusion program, supporting 6,000 individuals facing barriers to employment each year and contributing to 1,500 hiring processes annually. At the same time, I coordinate the Research phase of Project SUPPORT, an EU-wide consortium promoting Supported Employment best practices.

Beyond research, I am a leadership coach, mentor, and consultant specializing in Equal Opportunities, Inclusion, and Accessibility. With over a decade of executive experience across 7 countries, I work at the intersection of organizational transformation, workforce development, and public policy.

My political journey includes running for mayor in 2019, serving as a city and regional councillor, and nearly securing a seat in the Spanish Congress. Today, I’m leading a movement to advance the political representation of people with disabilities in Catalonia, aligning with Article 29 of the UN Convention.

Academically, I hold degrees from University College Utrecht (BA, Political Science & International Relations), the London School of Economics (MSc, Philosophy & Public Policy), and EAE Business School/UPC (Master’s in Emotional Intelligence, Leadership & Coaching). Along the way I’ve managed to secure 7 different scholarships and prizes.

Born with a visual disability, I am deeply committed to dismantling barriers, whether in workplaces, leadership, or politics.