Ms. Tomei obtained a Degree in Political Science Summa Cum Laude from the University of Turin, Italy in 1986, and a Diploma in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Panama, in 1984.

Ms. Tomei joined the ILO under the Associate Expert scheme in 1988 and was posted in the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean for two years. In 1991 she joined the Employment Department as a Rural Workers' Organization Specialist and held subsequently several other positions in EMPLOI. Her most recent assignment was as Senior Specialist on Discrimination in the Programme for the follow-up to Declaration (DECLARATION). Prior to joining the ILO, she volunteered as a researcher with the Organización Panamericana de la Salud and also did some consultancy work with the "Health District Pau de Lima Project" in Brazil.