Ann Mettler, Vice President, Europe, Breakthrough Energy At Breakthrough Energy – an organization founded by Bill Gates in 2015 – Ann is working with European partners to accelerate clean tech innovation in the pursuit of climate neutrality and net-zero emissions. Previously, she served as Director-General at the European Commission where she ran the internal strategy department, reporting directly to the President. An entrepreneur at heart, Ann set up her own think tank which she ran for more than a decade. Her career started at the World Economic Forum where she led the Europe department. She holds MA degrees in political science and European law and economics, and graduated with distinction from the University of New Mexico, USA and Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University in Bonn, Germany.