Member Spotlight: Raffaella Loncao, Founder, On This Planet

What did you want to be when you grew up?

As a teenager, I dreamt of working in fashion and traveling the world. Through determination and the guidance of great mentors, I was fortunate enough to turn that dream into reality.

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Who has shaped you most as a leader?
My grandmother was an incredibly strong woman who lived at a time when women were expected to stay within very defined roles. She was a "quiet" rebel, and she taught me to never take no for an answer.
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What leadership lesson did you learn the hard way?
Early in my career I used to take things personally, and I would be deeply affected whenever something conflicted with my values. I have learned that I can be passionate about my work, but take some distance from situations. That shift has allowed me to manage my time and energy in a far more effective way.
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What's the biggest misconception companies have about sustainability right now?

The biggest misconception is that sustainability runs parallel to profit and business performance, a very short-term and narrow mindset. Visionary leaders understand that caring for people and the planet is not a side option, but the core of business strategy.

‍What signals are you most optimistic about in 2026?
I see more and more communities of like-minded people forming, people with a deep respect for nature and a genuine commitment to social and environmental progress. The community is growing louder and more impactful, and that gives me real hope.

What is your 2026 focus?
As a new business owner, I am navigating the joy and the challenge of stepping away from the security of corporate life and moving toward my purpose. It is equal parts exciting and humbling.

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Why did you decide to become a Terras member?
I was initially referred to Terras by the wonderful Iris Van der Veken, who spoke very highly of the in-person events. Marvin then invited me to join a call, and I quickly realised how rich and passionate the conversations around sustainability and care for the planet truly are. The people I have met so far are deeply inspiring and, above all, authentic.
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What kinds of conversations or collaborations are you most hoping to find here?

Learning and sharing are what keep me motivated day to day, so being part of a community of thoughtful experts, where I can keep growing and offer my own perspective in return, feels like a genuine win-win. Building that community around me will give me the strength and energy to continue this journey for years to come.
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A book, podcast, or idea you can't stop thinking about?
Books and podcasts have always had the power to transport me somewhere else entirely, and have kept me afloat during periods of real pressure and intensity.

I recently discovered Costanza Casati, a wonderful Italian-American author who retells Greek mythology from a different perspective. The beginning of her book Clytemnestra sets the tone:
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“There is no peace for a woman with ambition

No love, for a woman with a crown

She loves too much, she is lustful

Her power is too strong, she is ruthless

She fights for vengeance, she is mad

Kings are brilliant, mighty, godlike

Queens are deadly, shameless, accursed”
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— Costanza Casati, Clytemnestra