Helena Orella

Global Human Rights Manager

Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

About

I am a sustainability and human rights professional with over 27 years of experience working in international environments across corporate, institutional and UN-related contexts. Since 2018, I have been part of Bolton, where I have built my career within sustainability, mainly focusing on human rights in its Food Business Unit, one of the leading fishing companies and a key player in the tuna industry, with one of the most complex global supply chains in the food sector. During this time, I have worked on embedding sustainability across the value chain through a 360º approach, developing strategies, policies and tools for human rights due diligence and responsible supply chains. Since 2026, I am responsible for Human Rights at Bolton Group, contributing to the evolution of this function towards a global corporate framework aligned with the highest international standards and extended across all business units. My experience includes leading human rights due diligence processes through Human Rights Impact Assessements, engaging with stakeholders including NGOs such as Oxfam and international institutions such as UNDP, as well as managing social certifications and designing community development projects in health and education in Ecuador, Colombia, Morocco and the Solomon Islands. I also represent the company in international platforms such as the UN Global Compact, the Ocean Stewardship Coalition, and the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights. Before joining Bolton, I spent 18 years working with organizations linked to the UN system, including UNESCO and UNICEF, coordinating international cooperation projects, institutional relations and public-private partnerships. During this time, I also coordinated the International Campaign for the UN Declaration of the Decade of Youth Employment, promoted by the Spanish and Basque Governments, served as an international election observer for the OSCE, and advised organizations on 2030 Agenda strategies. In addition, I am a member of the Board of Directors of Bermeo Tuna World Capital (I also served as Director of the first edition of the Bermeo Tuna Forum, an international event bringing together key stakeholders from across the global tuna value chain), member of the Human Rights Expert Panel of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Vice Secretary of the Governing Board of UN Etxea (UNESCO Association for the Basque Country). I am a frequent speaker and guest lecturer at several universities and international forums, sharing insights on sustainability, human rights, and responsible supply chains.

Experience

  • Bolton (Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain)
    • Group Human Rights Manager
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    • Global Sustainable Development Manager - Human Rights and Communities - Food
      Mar 2018 - Dec 2025 · 7 yrs 10 mos

  • Bermeo Tuna World Capital (7 yrs 1 mo)
    • Consejera
      Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Asociada
      Jun 2019 - Dec 2024 · 5 yrs 7 mos

    • Directora Bermeo Tuna Forum
      Feb 2023 - Dec 2023 · 11 mos

      Asociación público privada

  • UN ETXEA-Asociación del País Vasco para la UNESCO (10 yrs 3 mos)
    • Consejera
      Mar 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 4 mos

    • Asesora
      May 2018 - Feb 2022 · 3 yrs 10 mos

    • Consejera
      Apr 2016 - Apr 2018 · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • Patrona Fundación Miranda at Fundación Miranda
    May 2018 - Dec 2019 · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Asesora en Departamento de Relaciones Internacionales at Universidad de Deusto
    Jan 2017 - Dec 2017 · 1 yr