Winds of Change Lead to Chiara’s Career Takeoff

“I made a pragmatic choice after graduation, knowing that I wanted to work abroad and have an influential career, so I started to look for universities that guaranteed more international job opportunities. Between the engineering program at the Polytechnic University of Milan and economics program at Bocconi, I chose the latter.” This is how Chiara Dorigotti recounts the first turning point of her life at the age of 19, leading her to work in finance between London and Paris until she became CEO of SEA Prime – a Business and General Aviation company active in Italy and throughout Europe, specialized in infrastructure management for corporate luxury passengers.

Dorigotti explains: "I never imagined working in the aviation sector, but if I had to think of an adjective for my career I would say 'evolutionary'. When I was presented with challenges – even those outside my comfort zone – I threw myself into them, relying on intuition without feeling limited by titles or labels on a CV.” This out-of-the-box approach was also thanks to her experience in the United States during her years at Bocconi. "The program in business administration allowed me to study abroad for an exchange semester. I packed my bags as soon as possible for the US, and once there I started meeting with fellow Master program classmates and taking practical courses with case studies and workshops. I then realized that I wanted to start working right away."

Fresh out of college, Dorigotti began sending her CV to companies in London, and in 1993 joined the former Paribas Capital Markets (now BNP Paribas Group). At the investment bank, she handled stock market listings, equity and bond issues for eight years, becoming head of the Italian market. "These were years of great training; it was the period of large-scale privatizations. It must be said that the environment was competitive, but I admit that it was also fully meritocratic. If you earned it, you saw it hands-on – beyond gender," she adds. Credit also goes to the supervisors capable of betting on the youngest. "One of the opportunities given to me," says Dorigotti, "was meeting an executive who gave me the chance to grow quickly. He delegated and valued the people in the team – an empowerment-based leadership model which I still carry with me and try to be inspired by today as I lead a team with diverse skills, from engineering to marketing."

However, before entering the aviation sector, Dorigotti returned to Italy in 2000 to work at Fininvest where she followed the development of the group and its subsidiaries. “My role was linked to the listing project of an internet service provider, which was later dissolved. It was a new sector, and I learned a lot about it over the years, allowing me to gain a wealth of transversal skills. This led me to join Tiscali in 2003 as Investor Relations and Corporate Finance Manager.” Change was in the air once again, though, and in 2011 Dorigotti joined SEA Prime, one of the largest airport management companies in Italy. It was not a decision solely based on pragmatism, but also on a “gut feeling”. She explains: "I was offered this very important position focused on investor relations and business development. However, it was a new role for me in an industry that I did not know. I thought about it for a weekend and then I accepted the offer; I felt it was the right thing to do."

Her career then really took off. In 2014 she became General Manager at SEA Prime, and since 2019 she has been CEO where she oversaw the rebranding and infrastructure development process at both Linate and Malpensa airports. "I discovered a new world," she says, "and I can say that my job continues to give me satisfaction and excitement even after all these years. Now that I have two children, I try to pass on to them this message: a job is not enough; you have to love what you do. Career advancement and recognition, including economic ones, are a consequence."  This is why she advises younger women to nourish their curiosity and to not feel limited by prejudices. It is an approach that, in her case, has led to her joining several boards – from Brunello Cucinelli to Technogym and Enervit – as an independent consultant. "I think that gender quotas on the boards of listed companies have been an opportunity for many women who can now make a contribution in large companies. I remain convinced that diversity brings added value and, in my case, sitting at those tables is the best way to continue learning and growing," she concludes.