Contacts
On 6 March on the Aula Magna stage, stories of leadership, challenges and gender equality in a talk hosted by Claudia de Lillo. One of 199 Bocconi women ambassadors of the project advocating female empowerment and generational solidarity

When a network of women comes together to recount their experiences, share successes and inspire the next generation, change becomes real. This is the spirit of Changed by Women, the project launched last year by Bocconi University to enhance female talent and the value of its Alumnae around the world and which is now returning to Milan.

On Thursday 6 March, starting at 8pm, the Aula Magna at Via Röntgen 1 will be turned into an extraordinary stage. Hosting the evening will be journalist and writer Claudia de Lillo, herself featured in Changed by women, in a format that will recreate a real radio studio, including talks, testimonies and reflections on leadership and gender equality.

Today, the project has 199 ambassadors, Bocconi women who, with different career paths but united by leadership and determination, are role models for today’s and tomorrow’s female students.

“Changed by Women is not just a storytelling project. It is a network of inspiration and support for the new generation of women who want to emerge without having to fit into a career stereotype,” stresses Antonella Carù, Bocconi’s Dean for Development and Alumni Relations. “March 6 will be a time to celebrate, reflect and build together a future in which talent has no gender.”

Women of success, stories of impact

The stage will feature women (and one man) hailing from experiences of innovation, business, sports and sustainability:

• Dario Calogero, Founder of the Italian Innovators Initiative
• Francisca De Candia, RAI reporter
• Silvana Filipponi, Country Director of EasyPark Italy
• Anna Fiscale, Founder and CEO of Project Quid
• Charlotte Groppo, Head of Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the International Olympic Committee
• Gianna Martinengo, president of Women&Tech
• Mara Panajia, Chairwoman and CEO of Henkel Italy
• Eliana Salvi, Founder and CEO of Cosmic
• Rita Sciarra Regional Team Leader for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance (UNDP)
• Honey Thaljieh, FIFA Public Relations Manager
• Carolina Vergnano, CEO of Caffè Vergnano

Furthermore, in a special moment of the evening, actress Gledis Cinque will play Donna Javotte Manca di Villahermosa, the first president of Bocconi University (1932-1957), a pioneer of women’s access to higher education and academic leadership.

Gender equality: still a distant goal

Celebrating success stories, the event also turns the spotlight on the inequalities that still linger. Although the employment rate for women in the EU is rising, an average gap of 15 percentage points with men persists. Italy is especially worrying: only 51 percent of women are employed. Although women graduate in greater numbers than men, their presence in leadership positions and STEM disciplines is still insufficient.

Paola Profeta, Bocconi’s Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability, points out that progress is evident but not yet sufficient: “Women are studying more, advancing in positions of power, but the labor market remains skewed and there is still a long way to go on the road to equality. Continued commitment is needed, made up of active policies and role models to make it clear that every goal is possible.”

An event to inspire and support the future

Changed by Women is not only reflection, but also concrete action. In fact, the event will be an opportunity to promote the Women Fund, the Bocconi fund that finances scholarships for young female talent, investing in the women who will build the future.

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