Marta Fusco’s Three Rules for Success

Even if you are well aware of the academic and professional path you wish to take, the time to make certain decisions will eventually arrive. So, just as if you were approaching a road that divides into several streets, a thoughtful choice must be made. In those moments, three rules can help: dream, choose and smile. "There is actually a fourth, but before I add it, I want to explain the first three rules of my life philosophy. I say dream so that we can think about and plan our future on a large scale. Secondly, choose your goals and work hard every day to achieve them. Lastly, smile and do not forget to celebrate the moments of success," says Marta Fusco, Managing Associate specializing in equity capital markets in the Milan office of the law firm, Linklaters. The fourth rule? "To study, because knowledge is a powerful tool for self-realization. Skill must be demonstrated in practice," responds the Bocconi alumna, who holds an Integrated Master of Arts in Law.
It seemed that by the end of her classical high school years in Caserta, Fusco had already easily chosen her educational and career path. Did she ever have any hesitations? "Already by the end of high school, I was fascinated by topics related to financial markets and I followed them by keeping up to date in the newspapers. I was somewhat afraid, though, of trying my hand at this type of academic study, given my past as a classicist. This was the first crossroads I found myself facing. However, I listened to my heart and, thus, chose law at Bocconi, ultimately dreaming of becoming a business lawyer. I have never regretted it. On the contrary, it allowed me to both follow my inclination for finance and better satisfy my classicist soul," recalls Fusco, looking back on her days at Bocconi and emphasizing the importance of building a network of friends, having great professors, and shaping her mindset. Most importantly, she underscores how all these people (including a sister who studied finance at Bocconi) — who are still present in her life — have inspired her to follow and discuss those same financial markets that she is so passionate about. The alumna is now responsible for providing legal advice to banks and companies, both national and international, during all phases of structuring transactions on the capital markets, including listing on Euronext Milan — the main stock list of the Italian Stock Exchange — or in view of the issuance of debt instruments. "Even now, for example, the most beautiful crowning moment of my work is in the event of an IPO — the ringing of the bell that officially sanctions the debut of a stock on the Milan Stock Exchange," Fusco continues. However, there have been other important crossroads throughout her life. After Bocconi, Fusco practiced law and subsequently worked at Borsa Italiana. At the same time, she wanted to deepen her knowledge of business law and, therefore, posed the dilemma: to pursue a second degree in finance or a PhD in financial market law? Choosing the second option led her to Ca' Foscari University, and later to the University of London and the University of Southern California, during two separate PhD visiting periods. "I have experienced very intense periods of my life because of the commitments made and deadlines to be met," Fusco says. "With that said, once that phase was over, I got back into the game. I started searching for a law firm with an international scope, where I could deal precisely with equity capital markets. My goal was to help carry out those market operations that I have always read in the newspapers. That is how I ended up at Linklaters." However, at the global firm, Fusco decided to oversee ESG issues, in particular with the G of governance — both as a member of the Italian committee on diversity, equity, and inclusion and as the only Italian representative of the EU committee. Her goal? "Fueling the debate and bringing companies closer to these issues. A call to action is essential."