Speakers

In 1983, at just 22 years old, Nerio Alessandri founded Technogym in his home garage by combining his passion for innovation (TECHNO) and that for sport (GYM). In the early 1990s Alessandri coined the concept of Wellness, a lifestyle that aims to improve the quality of life thanks to regular physical activity, a healthy diet and a positive mental attitude. Today Technogym is a world-leading brand in products and digital technologies for fitness, sport and health and is present in 85 thousand wellness centers and 400 thousand private homes in over 100 countries. Technogym has been the Official Supplier of the Olympic Games for over 20 years: Paris 2024 will be the ninth edition in this role. In addition to Technogym, Nerio Alessandri also created the Wellness Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at promoting wellness as a social opportunity for all stakeholders: Governments, Businesses and Citizens.

With an academic background in Business Administration and further specialising with a Master's in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Giacomo Barigazzi has always sought to merge economics with actionable business insights.
Since co-founding Axyon AI, Giacomo has dedicated himself to building strategic partnerships as our Head of Corporate Development. His pursuit of excellence has helped to position Axyon AI as a player and a leader in the innovation realm, developing strong partnerships to grow our influence in the AI sector.
Outside the company, he is a member of the European Commission's Digital SME Focus Group on AI, which champions the cause of Small and Medium Enterprises, ensuring that the voices of SMEs resonate in European AI strategies.
Before co-founding Axyon AI and jumping into the Fintech and AI business, together with two long-time friends, he founded a successful software development company.

Bernardo Bertoldi teaches at the Department of Management of the University of Turin and has been visiting professor at ESCP-Europe and at LUISS. After accomplishing his Ph.D. (2003) in entrepreneurial management and corporate finance, he focuses his research activity in entrepreneurship and family capitalism. In 2007 he attended the EECPCL (European Entrepreneurship Colloquium on Participant-Centered Learning) and the CWCD (Case Writing and Course Development Seminar) at Harvard Business School.
He is member of CIFE-Cambridge Institute for Family Enterprises founded by Prof. John Davis of Harvard Business School. The academic research and the gained experience have allowed him to support many entrepreneurial families in Europe.
He has a column with Il Sole 24 Ore, familyandtrends, where family capitalism and strategic trends are discussed.
He teaches at the Business School of the University of Turin (Marketing to the bachelor students, Competitive Analysis II and Family Business Strategy to the post graduate students, and Corporate Finance to MBA students).
He is one the founder of 3H Partners, a consulting firm based in Italy, UK, France and USA.
He is Vicepresident of Club degli Investitori, the first Italian business angel association. He is board member or statutory auditors committee members of listed and non-listed companies.

A pioneering voice on ethical technology and human-centric innovation, Ruma Bose seamlessly blends business strategy with social impact. Her diverse experience as an entrepreneur, investor, author, and global keynote speaker offers a unique perspective on leveraging transformative technologies to drive sustainable growth and positive societal change.
Bose is co-author of the international bestseller "Mother Teresa, CEO," distilling the legendary humanitarian's principles into an innovative leadership framework centered on humanity, humility, and execution.
As former Chief Growth Officer at fintech unicorn Clearco, Bose rapidly launched and scaled international operations across 11 countries in just 12 months. Her entrepreneurial expertise also catalyzed better food access as President of Chobani Ventures and Foundation, and created economic opportunities for refugees as the Founding President of Tent Foundation.
Currently, Bose is Managing Partner at Amura Growth Partners, advising companies and investors on growth strategies. She serves on the boards of deep tech, AI, and impact investing leaders like SealSQ, Improvability AI, Calvert Impact Capital, and KAO Corporation's ESG Advisory Board.
A passionate advocate for ethical leadership, Bose's insights have been featured by The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the World Economic Forum. She has received an honorary doctorate from Dalhousie University and the prestigious Scotiabank Ethical Leadership Award. As a keynote speaker, she inspires audiences to embrace technology as a catalyst for humanity's greatest opportunities.

Roberto Bosisio is a Managing Director and Partner in Milan Office, and he is a core member of the Digital Acceleration System, of the Insurance Practice and the Energy Practice in CEMA. Roberto holds a Master Degree and a PhD in Telecommunication Engineering from Politecnico di Milano and he has been taking a strong path in strategic consultancy with more than 13 years of experience.
Roberto’s activities focus on two main topics: Setting up Digital Data Platform solutions for companies willing to develop digital use cases, refresh their technology platform, establish new way of working (agile, devOps); and developing Digital Marketing solutions (marketing automation, multichannel coordination, etc.).

Stefano Ciurli was appointed Head of Global Services at Enel Group in July 2023.
He graduated with a degree in Economics and Commerce from LUISS University in Rome in 1987.
Ciurli began his professional career at Telecom Italia, where he progressively took on responsibilities in Finance, Administration and Control, International Development, Procurement and Logistics, Real Estate and Energy, Caring Services, and Wholesale.
From 2003 to 2005, he served as the CFO of Tim SpA, and also managed the merger operation of Tim SpA into Telecom Italia SpA.
From 2008 to 2012, he was the Chief Procurement Officer of the TI Group.
From 2012 to 2014, he held the position of Executive Vice President of the Caring Services Division at Tim, and from 2015 to 2018, he was the Executive Vice President of Wholesale.
From 2019 to 2023, Ciurli was the CEO of PTS, an Italian consulting firm.
He has also held various positions on national and international Boards of Directors, including: Telepiù, TESS, Saritel, Telecontact (Caring), TI International (holding), Tim Brasil, Tim Digitel (Venezuela), Avea (Turkish Telecom), Telenergia, Olivetti, Flash Fiber, Unidata, and PTS.

Qomodo was founded in Italy in 2023 by the vision of Gianluca Cocco and Gaetano De Maio with the goal of providing more convenient, straightforward, and cost-effective payment solutions for managing essential, often unforeseen, and indispensable expenses, both in physical stores and remotely. With an initial round of financing amounting to €34.5 million led by the lead investor Fasanara Capital and supported by other prominent national and international funds such as Exor Ventures, Ithaca Investments, Proximity Capital, The TechShop, Lumen Ventures, Primo Ventures, Notion Capital, Octopus Ventures, Plug&Play. Angel investors: Mark Ransford, Luca Ascani, Attilio Mazzilli, Simone Mancini (Scalapay), Benedetta Arese Lucini, Kai Hansen (Lieferando), Giorgio Tinacci (Casavo), Stiven Muccioli (BKN301), Freddy Kelly (Credit Kudos), Christer Holloman (Divido), Raffaele Terrone (Scalapay), Andrea Gennarini, Giuseppe Lacerenza, Pietro Invernizzi, Serge Chiaramonte, William Neale.
Qomodo has achieved one of the most significant pre-seed investments in the Italian tech sector to date.
Qomodo operates as a digital payments player to help businesses of all sizes grow, ensuring innovation and security even for micro and small businesses that sometimes struggle to manage and collect payments, exposing themselves to financial risks. Qomodo provides the certainty of immediate, secure, and transparent collections while simultaneously promoting increased spending opportunities for regular customers through interest-free installment payments.
Qomodo stems from the experience of young successful Italian entrepreneurs who have been working for years to bring innovative solutions to the market to help businesses thrive. In pursuing and implementing their vision, Qomodo is aware of the importance of creating an ecosystem that encourages collaboration with other innovative entities, capable of fostering synergies and creating successful projects and stories that generate value for everyone.
Qomodo provides a concrete solution to the stress caused by essential, nondeferrable expenses, often of high value, simplifying payment management for both merchants and end customers. Through the Qomodo platform and the solutions it offers, businesses, merchants, and end customers can benefit from an innovative service that generates advantages for everyone and adds value to the entire system.
Qomodo ensures merchants receive rapid and secure payments, streamlining processes with a consequent reduction in time and costs. It also fosters customer loyalty by offering clear and transparent installment payment options.
End customers can access a convenient 0% interest installment payment service at no additional cost, avoiding traditional bureaucratic procedures that significantly lengthen the process. Additionally, they can benefit from a wide network of affiliated professionals according to their specific needs.

Executive Chairman and founder of Italo SpA, the first European private high-speed railway company and founder of Itabus, the first Italian private company of long-distance buses, where he have been member of the board until April 2023.
He is also President of Manifatture Sigaro Toscano and Fondazione Telethon.
He has been Chairman and CEO of Ferrari Auto S.p.A. since 1991 until 2014 where he won 19 world title and Chairman of Fiat Group and of Maserati S.p.A.
He has been President of Confindustria, President of LUISS University, Chairman of the Bologna International Trade Fair and Chairman of FIEG, the Italian Federation of Newspapers Publishers.
On 2015 he has been inducted in the Automotive Hall of Fame of Detroit, the international most prestigious award of this sector.
He was awarded with four honorary degrees: in Mechanical Engineering by the University of Modena, in Management Engineering by the University of Genoa, in Industrial Design Engineering by the Polytechnic of Milan and, finally, in Materials Physics by SISSA (Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati) of Trieste.

Journalist Corriere della Sera

Brunello Cucinelli is the founder of the eponymous fashion house, renowned worldwide for its exclusive cashmere garments that exemplify Italian elegance. Today, Cucinelli leads the company as Executive Chairman and Creative Director.
In addition to making a mark in the world of informal luxury prêt-à-porter, Cucinelli has been an innovator in entrepreneurial thought through the development of "humanistic capitalism." His main goal is to create a work environment and a production philosophy that respect human needs. For this purpose, he has actively sought to integrate ethical and economic principles, finding a balance between profit, sharing, and care, and engaging in philanthropic initiatives.
Brunello Cucinelli has received numerous national and international awards for his original vision. In 2010, he was appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro by the President of the Republic, and in the same year, he received an honorary degree in Philosophy and Ethics of Human Relationships from the University of Perugia. In 2018, the University of Messina awarded him an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy, describing him as a "concrete thinker, cultural promoter, and true patron of our times."
Cucinelli has never strayed from the path set by his ideals, continuing to pursue them year after year. In September 2021, he was named "Designer of the Year" by the British men's fashion magazine "GQ" in London, in recognition of his ongoing humanitarian commitment as a designer and entrepreneur. That same year, he participated in the G20 summit in Rome, presenting his vision to the world's leading leaders.
In 2022, the University of Rome "La Sapienza" awarded him an honorary Doctorate in Management, Banking, and Commodity Sciences. The rector, Antonella Polimeni, praised his ability to combine entrepreneurial success with deep respect for the land and social values. In March 2023, he was honored with the prestigious "Neiman Marcus Award for distinguished service in the field of fashion" by the luxury department store in Dallas.

Expert in innovation and industrial policy, he has significant experience in the management of European funds and corporate finance, founder and CEO of Next4, an accelerator and accredited investor under the CDP venture fund relaunch, investing in Digital Transformation.
He is also currently founder of Impatta4equity, a corporate benefit holding company that invests in seed capital programs in innovability sectors.
Secretary General of the Fondazione Italia Digitale, the first foundation in Italy dedicated to digital policy at the public and private levels.
Consultant for the PNRR of Campus Bio-Medico S.p.A.
Member of the Board of Directors of Campus Bio-Medico Investment Holding S.r.l.
Consultant on innovation issues in P.A. for EUTALIA-Studiare Sviluppo, an investee company of the MEF, coordinates for Ecoter srl important technical assistance activities in central state administrations.
He is a consultant for IFEL and Anci in particular on issues of Public Innovation management and Govtech. Former instructor for European funds of Lazio Innova S.p.A and member of the evaluation nucleus for research funds of the Lazio region. Awarded at the Chamber of Deputies at the "excellence of made in Italy" event for expertise on industrial policy issues.
Now, he is MISE registered Innovation manager and is Investor relator of major scale-ups such as Speri Ingegneria and Termo Spa, an energy fintech company formerly owned by mediaset and now acquired by Fondo italiano strategico (cdp).
A member of the Capacity building task force of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Institute of Nuclear Physics, he has been inside the national task force of Anip-Confindustria and the Technical Scientific Committee of Anci Lazio, and has coordinated the Ventotene Training Camp that, every year, indicates strategic policies for local authorities.
Founder of Next4international, to date he has important collaborations with Innovit in San Francisco, IXL Center in Boston and Italia Camp in Abu Dhabi. Partner and speakear of Emotion Network, media company in partnership with corriere della sera and skytg24.
Creator of the first observatory on govtech in the national territory and author of several publications including the most recent, Govtech - the Italian technological renaissance, Investor Business relator - a tool for the growth of SMEs and Public Innovation Manager - for a P.A engine of our country.

He began his career at the newspaper Giornale where he also followed the most important political and cultural events as a correspondent in the US, including the presidential elections in 2008 and 2012. He was appointed deputy editor of the newspaper in 2011 and then co-editor-in-chief in 2016. In 2014 he has founded and directed the magazine Rivista Undici. In 2017 he served as editor-in-chief of the weekly magazine GQ. He has joined Sky in 2018 and served as deputy co-director of Sky Sport managing Sky Sport24, SkySportHD.it and Sky Sport digital editorial content. He has been at the helm of Sky TG24 since January 2019. His book Doppio passo won the CONI Award for sports literature in 2007.

Stefania founded Physis with the vision to disrupt the financial industry and empower investors to make an impact through their investments. As CEO, Stefania has developed Physis from an idea to an award-winning AI fintech company. Today, Physis serves clients globally, helping investment managers advance their sustainable investments.
Before starting Physis, Stefania was a skilled portfolio manager with extensive global experience. She previously worked at Sella SGR as the youngest impact investing fund manager in Europe for a multi-asset global allocation fund, which grew from $16M to $100M in assets in just two years. Stefania was the first fund manager to provide a methodology for impact reporting, and she reached over 6,000 individual investors with this report. She has advised institutional investors with $90 billion in assets on sustainable portfolio implementation. Stefania has published two books on sustainable finance, and she is a guest lecturer on sustainable investing at universities around the world, including Harvard.
In her free time, Stefania is dedicated to fostering women's empowerment and entrepreneurship. She is a mentor at Harvard’s Undergraduate Women in Business and the Global Director at Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs. She is also a member of the Scientific Committee at Symbola. Previously, she was a member of the Harvard Sustainable Leadership Council and a Board Member at Etica SGR.
Stefania received her undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance from Bocconi University in Italy and has studied at the London School of Economics and ESADE. She also has a master’s degree in Sustainability and Finance from Harvard University.
Physis is an award-winning fintech platform revolutionizing sustainability data to offer detailed and objective information to investors, empowering them to monitor the impact of their investments. PHysis provides investment managers with the highest quality sustainability data through a Saas platform and chatbot, ImpactChat.ai, empowering truly impactful portfolios that create a more sustainable planet.

Anu Duggal is the founding partner of Female Founders Fund, the first early-stage fund for female founders. She launched Female Founders Fund in 2014 to start a movement to diversify venture capital and direct more dollars to female founders. Over the last ten years, Anu has played an instrumental role in not only investing in female founders, raising seed capital with over $4 billion in enterprise value, but shifting the VC industry as a whole to make more investments in female-founded companies. She has led Female Founders Fund in two funds and invested in over 45 of the fastest growing female-led companies nationwide. These include category leaders like Zola, ELOQUII, Billie, Co-Star, Peanut, Real, BentoBox, Tala, Maven Clinic, WinkyLux, and more.
Anu has been honored in Fortune’s “40 Under 40” list and Crain’s “Notable Women in Tech” list and been included in Business Insider’s “Ultimate List of Female Startup Investors” and “Top 4 Venture Firms Investing in Women.” Anu has appeared in leading outlets like The TODAY Show, Bloomberg TV, TIME, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC Squawk Alley, Fortune, Inc, Yahoo! Finance and is the host of the podcast, The 2%. She has spoken at the Milken Institute, Vogue Business x Google Summit and TechCrunch Disrupt. Anu holds board member/observer roles for Maven Clinic, Billie, VIOLETTE_FR, Co--Star, and WinkyLux.
Prior to starting Female Founders Fund, Anu co-founded Exclusively.in, a private-sale e-commerce company backed by Accel Partners and Tiger Global, which was acquired by Indian fashion e-commerce company Myntra in 2011. Her first entrepreneurial venture was in 2005 with the launch of India’s first wine bar ,The Tasting Room in Bombay. She holds an MBA from London Business School and a BA from Vassar College.

Ph.D. in History and Theory of Economic Development and graduated with honors in Economics and Commerce from "LUISS Guido Carli" University in Rome. She held the role of Subject Matter Expert in the chairs of Economic History, History of Economic Thought and History of Finance and Financial Systems at the same University.
She is a professor of Entrepreneurship and History of Made in Italy at the European University of Rome, where she has also served as Contact Person for External Relations and Development Projects for the Third Mission Area.
Having gained significant entrepreneurial experience, she continues to develop complex business projects and supports enterprises in defining sustainable and eligible investments and programs.
She performs strategic consulting for business growth, analyzing strategic options for accessing finance and creating partnerships and industrial matching on a national and international scale. She is involved in the process and definition of internationalization projects and business relations between Italy and the Middle East, where she has been permanently residing since 2022.
As a Senior Advisor in Business Incubators and Accelerators, she promotes the spread of entrepreneurial culture, territorial relations within innovation ecosystems, and productivity growth through the creation and development of start-ups, scale-ups and spin-offs with high capitalization and human capital.
She is Senior Partner at Miller Group, as well as Banking & Finance Manager at Prestige Legal, and a member of the Advisory Board of Spartan Tech. She is part of the Board of Italiacamp EMEA -Dubai Hub for Made in Italy and is a Board Member in Next4 and Fondazione Italia Digitale.

With over 15 years of experience in consulting for top-level executives, Karin Fischer has worked for public, private, and third-sector companies, helping them refine their strategic communication, engage stakeholders on key issues, develop organizational strategies in international contexts, and digitize their processes. She collaborates with various partners on end-to-end projects, always maintaining her professional independence.
Innovation drives her to explore every area. Notably, she has been a pioneer in the field of sustainable mobility, leading a global multi-stakeholder platform and contributing to shaping the future of electric mobility through the founding of a startup dedicated to developing cutting-edge charging infrastructure.
But her experiences are not limited to the business world. Karin Fischer has also leveraged her expertise in political and civic communication, served as a consultant in universities, and managed sponsorships in the equestrian sports sector, her great passion.
In 2018, she launched the brand "Connecting Stories," a name that embodies her personal mission: to connect stories and ideas, create bridges between different sectors, and combine concepts in innovative ways.
Living in the hills above Lake Garda, Karin has embraced remote working from its inception, allowing her to share her everyday life with her children, her beloved pets, and, of course, her cherished horses.

Gabriella Greison is a physicist, writer, actress, presenter, and science communicator. She is described by Corriere della Sera, as well as the American and German press, as "the Rockstar of Physics." She is the author of twelve novels, which cover scientific dissemination, quantum mechanics, the history of physics, and the great female scientists of history. Among these are: "The Incredible Dinner of the Quantum Physicists" (Salani); "Six Women Who Changed the World" (Bollati Boringhieri); "I'll Kill Schrödinger's Cat" (Mondadori); "Everything Is Connected" (Mondadori); and the latest, "The Woman of the Atomic Bomb" (Mondadori). From each book, she has created a monologue or a theatrical show, which she tours in theaters throughout Italy and beyond. She has conceived and hosted several television programs, including "Physics Pills" on Rai, "The Fabulous World of Quantum Physics" on Mediaset, and "The Theory of Everything" on Sky Italia. She is also the creator of podcasts and radio programs. Greison, who is of Genoese and Scottish origin, lives in Italy, between Milan and Genoa, and is very active on social media. She holds a degree in Nuclear Physics from the University of Milan and has worked in many prestigious places, including the École Polytechnique in Paris. She focuses on science, technology, the environment, climate change, women, current affairs, and nuclear issues. Her website is www.greisonanatomy.com.

Maurizio Grifoni is an established professional personality (manager) with extensive experience in business, associative and political sectors. Born in Milan on 11 February 1955, he has dedicated his career to promoting the economic and social development of regional communities.
Grifoni began his career in the fashion industry as an agent and sales representative, and then as a trader in various retail outlets, acquiring an in-depth knowledge of the market and its dynamics. In 1989, thanks to his skills, he founded a clothing manufacturing business in Novara, positioning himself as a successful entrepreneur. Since 2003, he has covered the role of President of ASCOM Novara, the Association of Commerce, Tourism and Services of the Province of Novara, by representing the interests of local businesses. He is, since 2015, President of Confcommercio Imprese per l'Italia Alto Piemonte. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Grifoni was also President of the ‘Novara Sviluppo Foundation’ based in Novara – in Piemonte Region- a foundation for the promotion of economic development in the fields of scientific research, education, art, preservation and improvement of cultural and environmental assets, and health. Grifoni has also been a leading figure at national level since 2006, as Advisor and Member of the Confederal Board of Confcommercio Imprese per l'Italia. Since 2015, Grifoni is also President of Fondo FON.TE., the contractual instrument that the partners have made available to employees in the sectors represented so they can accumulate a pension in addition to their public benefits in order to increase the future level of their pensions. Grifoni is the founder of Values Metrics, a new ESG metric inspired by the values of the encyclica “Laudato sì” of Papa Francesco.
Maurizio Grifoni distinguishes himself for his tenacity, vision and leadership skills. His many years of experience in strategic sectors make him a reference point for local companies and institutions.

Fabrice Grinda is among the world’s leading Internet entrepreneurs and investors. He has over 300 exits on 1100 angel investments. Fabrice has served as CEO for three multinational companies and has an impressive track record as an early investor in Alibaba, Flexport, Delivery Hero, Betterment and Brightroll. Fabrice is currently running the startup studio and venture fund FJ Labs, which he cofounded with business partner Jose Marin. Fabrice was named the #1 Angel Investor in the world by Forbes.
Prior to FJ Labs, Fabrice was co-founder and co-CEO of OLX, one of the largest websites in the world with over 300 million unique visitors per month. The company operates in 30 countries and has over 10,000 employees. OLX is the largest classifieds site in India, Brazil, Pakistan, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Portugal and many other emerging markets.
Fabrice started his entrepreneurial journey in 1998, at 23, when he co-founded and was CEO of Aucland. Soon after, Aucland grew into one of the largest auction sites in Europe.
Before his entrepreneurial endeavors, Fabrice worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company.
Fabrice holds a BA in Economics from Princeton University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1996, and was awarded the Halbert White prize, given to the most distinguished economics student, as well as The Wolfe Balleisen memorial prize, awarded for best thesis. In his free time, Fabrice likes to travel the world, kitesurf, play tennis, and blog about his personal and professional life at www.fabricegrinda.com.

Carlo is the founder and CEO of Soldo, the leading Spend Management Platform for businesses in Europe. Founded in 2015, Soldo helps businesses proactively program the way they manage their spend. Before Soldo, Carlo participated in the development of companies in the mobile and social gaming markets at Intent Ventures. He founded Gioco Digitale, a company that became the leader in regulated online gaming in Italy. At Lottomatica (now IGT), he defined the company’s digital business strategy and launched the first online instant lotteries in Italy. At the beginning of the internet revolution, he founded Matrix, where he developed Virgilio, the first web portal in Italy, and the online advertising network Active Advertising. Carlo was involved in the development of the Italian Yellow Pages Online, managed the Internet division of Telecom Italia, as well as participated in the startup of Fineco, the leading Italian online bank.

Journalist Corriere della Sera

Daniele Manca graduated from the DAMS (Disciplines of Art, Music, and Entertainment) at the University of Bologna and was an Inaugural Fellow of the prestigious Sulzberger program at Columbia University School of Journalism, a course that has trained and continues to train leaders of the world’s most respected journalistic organizations.
He has worked at major Italian newspapers and magazines, from Mondo Economico to Panorama, from Italia Oggi to Il Giorno. Since 1994, he has been at Corriere della Sera, where he started as an editor and now holds the position of deputy director, as well as columnist and head of the economics and innovation section.
Over the years, Manca has covered the crucial moments of Italian economics and politics—from the stock market boom in 1986 to the Mani Pulite affairs, from the introduction of the euro to the rescue of Fiat. He has closely followed treaties and crises, from Maastricht to Lisbon, from the financial storm of 2008 to the emergence of the governments led by Monti, Letta, Renzi, Gentiloni, Conte I, Conte II, Draghi, and finally Meloni.
He was among the promoters of the digital transformation of Corriere della Sera. As a professor at the Walter Tobagi School of Journalism at the University of Milan, he shared his experience with students in the "Journalism in the Digital Age" course.
Daniele Manca is also the strategic director and a member of the Scientific Committee of the School of Journalism at IULM University. Furthermore, he is part of the Scientific Committee of Fuori Quota and the Scientific Committee of 100Esperte in the Economics and Finance area. His commitment has made him a Media Ambassador for ENWE (European Network for Women Excellence) and a member of the Steering Committee of the Osservatorio Banca e Impresa 2030.
In further recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the honor of Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic by President Sergio Mattarella for promoting culture.

Imane Marouf is the Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Ecosmic, an Italian-Dutch startup dedicated to making the space sector more sustainable and cost-effective, starting with easy to integrate solutions for space traffic management.
Imane graduated in aerospace engineering from Politecnico di Milano and has gained extensive experience in the space industry. She previously worked in a space-focused early stage Venture Capital firm, served as an attitude and orbit control engineer at the European Space Agency, and worked as a strategy consultant for a space-focused firm.
Outside the space sector, Imane has been involved in various pro bono projects focusing on supporting diversity, equality, and inclusion, and on helping underrepresented communities switch careers to tech and embrace entrepreneurship. Imane is also an enthusiastic photographer and a very good chef, experimenting with ways to combine her Moroccan and Italian origins in her cooking.

Beatriz Martin Jimenez became Head Non-core and Legacy as well as President UBS Europe, Middle East and Africa of UBS Group AG, in May 2023. She has been the UBS GEB Lead for Sustainability and Impact since March 2024 and the UBS Chief Executive for the UK since 2019. Her previous UBS roles included Group Treasurer for UBS Group AG, Chief Transformation Officer for UBS Group AG, COO for UBS Investment Bank, and Chief of Staff to the CEO for UBS Investment Bank. Before joining UBS in 2012, Ms. Martin held various roles in fixed income sales and trading at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank. With her experience in markets, Ms. Martin has a deep understanding of the industry and has built an extensive network and credentials globally, in addition to her restructuring experience as well as a thorough knowledge of our Investment Bank.

Matteo Masserdotti is a passionate entrepreneur interested in the evolution of the financial services industry and wants to create a better and more inclusive economy. Matteo previously founded Two Hundred, an Italian pioneer equity crowdfunding platform.
After accumulating experience in the fintech sector he launched Viceversa, a platform that supports digital companies through a fully data-driven approach and revenue-based financing model.
His journey in entrepreneurship began with the founding of Two Hundred, a pioneering equity crowdfunding platform in Italy, where he facilitated the funding of over 60 companies, raising more than €20 million. As the CEO of Two Hundred, Matteo spearheaded various facets of the business, including team management, business analysis, digital marketing operations, startup strategy formulation, and crowdfunding campaign strategies. His deep understanding of the European equity crowdfunding market has been instrumental in driving the success of the platform.
Building on his experience in the fintech sector, Matteo ventured further by launching Viceversa, a platform designed to empower digital companies through a fully data-driven approach and a unique revenue-based financing model. With Viceversa, Matteo aims to provide tailored support to digital ventures, enabling them to thrive in a competitive landscape while maintaining financial sustainability.
With a global perspective shaped by living in three countries over the past decade and influenced by his Eritrean heritage, Matteo considers himself a true citizen of the world. His diverse background and entrepreneurial spirit fuel his passion for innovation and creating positive change in the financial ecosystem.
In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Matteo co-founded Kolektio, a private photosharing app aimed at simplifying the process of collecting and sharing moments with friends. This venture showcased Matteo's versatility and creativity in developing consumer-focused solutions.
His academic foundation, combined with hands-on experience and a forward-thinking mindset, positions him as a dynamic leader at the forefront of financial innovation.

Doris Messina has been engaged in banking innovation for over 20 years in an executive capacity. She held different roles in Sella group, like Marketing Director, launched and developed pioneering digital financial services, such as Hype, the first Italian financial application for mobile phones anh challenger bank. Additionally, she conceived and founded the Fintech District, the first Italian Fintech community aligned with its equivalent European and international hubs, and the first Italian banking API platform in 2016, well before the adoption of PSD2. Always looking for new opportunities to continue bringing innovation to the sector, in 2021 she undertakes a new and exciting challenge in fintech. Strong of her background in business banking field, she launches Tot, the start-up which aims to become the best all-in-one digital platform for the financial and administrative management of small businesses.

Ken Meyer is a veteran retail executive, mission-driven entrepreneur, and conscious leader with 30+ years of experience in the natural foods industry.
His remarkable journey commenced with Fresh Fields, where he initially specialized in labor scheduling and logistical planning—an experience that supported the company merger with Whole Foods Market in 1996. Over the next 24 years, Meyer ascended to various senior leadership roles, ultimately serving as the Executive Vice President of Operations, North America, and the United Kingdom for Whole Foods Market. Meyer served as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting to John Mackey Co-Founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market.
In his role as EVP of Ops, Ken held a pivotal position overseeing the day-to-day operations, development, design, and innovation of both existing and new stores and acquiring numerous manufacturing and retail food companies. Under his leadership were six Presidents of Regions, Global Retail Operations, Supply Chain and Logistics and Global Culinary and Hospitality.
Meyer’s creative vision and ability to identify emerging industry trends and promising brands helped
shape the grocer’s best practices, including innovative product development, store design, and launching new business ventures and strategic partnerships supporting the world class store experience and culinary programs at Whole Foods Market.
Meyer was first to initiate and played an integral role in Whole Foods Market's merger team when it
was acquired by Amazon in 2017. He left Whole Foods Market in 2019 to pursue his entrepreneurial
interests, launching two companies as the founding Managing Director and CEO of “Connectivity” and “Spring Foods” focused on the transformation of commodity ingredients through sustainable growing and sourcing practices, creative supply chain solutions, and modern mission-based consumer brands. In 2020 Meyer was inducted into the Whole Foods Market Hall of Fame.
Meyer's reach extended further with the launch of "One Handshake Partners," a holding company and advisory platform aimed at discovering, nurturing, developing, and investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs and emerging brands. His wealth of experience and extensive network are assets that can benefit organizations of all sizes, along with his passionate commitment to transformative products that make a sustainable impact while nourishing the world, and his distinctive approach to leadership and purpose-driven business.
He is a Founding Partner and Investment Committee Member of Midnight Ventures Partners, a purpose-built investment fund to invest and scale emerging consumer brands and food companies.
Ken is currently an Operating Partner for STORY3 Capital a leading alternative investment manager that employs a flexible investment strategy focused on investing in the consumer value chain. Ken is active Board Member for Daylesford Organic, the world-renowned leading UK organic farm and retailer. He also serves as a strategic advisor and coach to multiple companies in natural foods, health, and wellness. Ken was a Founding member of the Whole Kids Foundation Board and continues to serve as an external member of the foundations.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Ken is a devoted father to three remarkable children—Hannah, Jon, and Laney—all currently pursuing their education at university. He also leads an active lifestyle as an avid triathlete, experienced alpine and expedition mountaineer, and passionate cook who explores the world through its diverse cuisines and savoring every meal.

After graduating with honors in Business Economics from Bocconi University, Mattia Mor began his career in strategic consulting, working with top-tier firms like Value Partners and Bain & Company, specializing in the fashion industry.
Mor founded his first company in 2004 while still at university. Named Blomor, it was a streetwear brand that many will remember for its T-shirts printed with the names and recipes of cocktails. The idea for Blomor actually originated earlier, when he was still in high school.
In 2007, Mor decided to leave his job as an employee to dedicate himself entirely to Blomor, eventually selling his designs in over 30 countries and in more than 900 stores.
In 2015, he moved to Singapore to work as Senior Vice President for Lazada, a Southeast Asian e-commerce company, which was later acquired by Alibaba Group in 2016. Returning to Italy at the end of 2016, Mor became the Executive Director for Europe of Mei.com, Alibaba's luxury online flash sales platform, specializing in high-level products in fashion, design, and cosmetics.
In 2017, he launched the social communication project “HoSceltoMilano / HoSceltoItalia” with the aim of reawakening civic passion and patriotic sentiment towards Italy, and particularly towards the city of Milan. The following year, he was elected to the Italian Parliament as a Deputy.
During his parliamentary tenure from 2018 to 2022, he authored a bill named 'StartAct', designed to allow Italy to close the gap in private investments in startups and Venture Capital, thereby enhancing companies' ability to innovate, create jobs, and grow, as well as encouraging Italians to return to their homeland.
In 2020, together with Karin Fischer, Massimo Redaelli, Alec Ross, Claude Finckenberg, Thomas Schneider, and Gianluca D'Agostino, Mattia Mor founded Emotion Network, an Italian edtech & media company that aims to put human beings and their emotions at the center of development, believing in the power of storytelling to strengthen human potential and produce "Great stories to inspire, educate, and entertain." TechEmotion.com is a project by Emotion Network.

Since 1996, Angelo Moratti has been involved in venture capital investments. It was in this year that he entered the startup world by founding ePlanet, a telecommunications company. The rapid growth of the company led to its IPO in 2000, making ePlanet the first New Economy company in Italy to have a 'fully funded project.'
Moratti continued his entrepreneurial journey by founding Sarlux, a company that built and managed a power plant, thus demonstrating his capability to tackle even the most complex challenges in the energy sector.
The following years were entirely devoted to the financial sector, with the creation of ACM (Angel Capital Management), a private investment company and family office. ACM is also the majority shareholder of Milano Investment Partners SGR, a company that manages Alternative Investment Funds. This initiative stands out for its goal of providing not only capital to visionary young entrepreneurs but also support through every phase of their project development.
Angelo Moratti is also known for his activities in philanthropy and patronage. His role as vice president and member of the executive committee of Special Olympics International showcases his spirit and commitment to paving the way for those who are often left behind. He has also led the Associazione Amici del Centro Dino Ferrari, focused on scientific research towards finding a cure for problems arising from neurological diseases.

Journalist and writer, a well-known voice of Italian radio.
He hosts daily programs for Radio24 (Sole24 Ore Group) and writes for the daily newspaper La Stampa. He is a Mondadori author.
He is actively involved in spreading awareness about autism and neurodivergence.
Since 2013, he has written three books on his experience as the father of his autistic son Tommy: "Una notte ho sognato che parlavi" (One Night I Dreamed You Spoke); "Alla fine qualcosa ci inventeremo" (In the End, We Will Come Up with Something); “Io, figlio di mio figlio” (I, Son of My Son). All three bestsellers are published by Oscar Mondadori.
He made a 90-minute film: "Tommy e gli altri" (Tommy and the Others), which tells of a journey across Italy, together with his son, in search of families with adult autistic dependents. It has been broadcast on Sky channels since April 2017 and was entirely self-financed and supported through crowdfunding.
In 2018, the film was toured in Italian high schools with the educational project "Cervelli Ribelli" supported by MIUR and Sky (in collaboration with Scuola Channel).
In 2020, he produced a docu-film "Tommy e l’Asta dei Cervelli Ribelli" which aired on Sky Arte on April 2, 2020, International Autism Awareness Day, in collaboration with the Cambi Auction House, Milan.
He designed and manages the web area for autism information "Per noi autistici" (For Us Autistics) (www.pernoiautistici.com).
The site, created in 2015 with the contribution of MIUR, is integrated with interactive participation tools, developed within the "Digital for social" project financed by the Vodafone Foundation.
He is the President of the Fondazione Cervelli Ribelli Onlus, an organization that commits to creating and supporting projects capable of providing useful services to families of individuals with autism.
https://www.cervelliribelli.it/ https://fondazionecervelliribelli.it/.
The Foundation develops many projects through a dedicated Factory and an Academy, focused on research and corporate training.
In 2021, he created the “Cervelli Ribelli Hub Lab”, a multimedia physical space in the Prati district of Rome, capable of offering innovative and replicable modules of socio-educational workshops, aimed at providing dignity and social and work inclusiveness to vulnerable people, especially those who are neurodivergent.
Previous Professional Activity
Since 1983, he has collaborated with Rai. Hired as a journalist in 1995, he has held various positions, from correspondent for the Giornale Radio to head of structure for new editorial products, to Editorial Director of the Internet Company RaiNet and Director of the Rainet News editorial office. In 1999, he directed the startup of the Rai.it portal. He has created and hosted programs for radio and TV. In particular, from 1993 to 2004, he hosted for RadioRai "Golem: idoli e televisioni" (Golem: Idols and Televisions), an analysis of television and current affairs in the evolution of media. The program won various awards (Premiolino 1997, Saint Vincent 1998, special mention at Prix Italia 1998, Forte dei Marmi 1999, and Guidarello 2000).
Since 2005, he has been employed by La Stampa, and since 2006, he has spoken on the microphones of Radio24 (Author and host of the programs: “Melog”, “Il treno va”, “La Nave va”).

Amy O'Brien is a freelance journalist, based between the UK and Italy. She writes about topics that blend business and culture — how we work, think, create and consume. She also covers the new economy in Italy — the burgeoning tech scene; innovation at the country’s biggest companies; and the new pools of capital that are emerging for investing in tech. Amy got her first taste of the Italian tech scene in her first job, working at first gen Italian tech company YOOX on its merger with Net–A-Porter in 2015.
Prior to going freelance, Amy covered fintech and Italian tech for the Financial Times’ European tech-focused publication Sifted. Beyond her journalism, she helps fast-growing companies with storytelling.
Amy's writing and broadcast journalism have been featured in publications including the Financial Times, Financial Times How To Spend It, Sifted, Reuters, Dazed and Confused, AnOther Magazine, The Times and The Guardian.

Michela Paparella is Co-founder and General Manager of the Innovative Startup Nello Spettro, founded at the end of 2023.
Entrepreneur, current President, and Founder of Kulta (2011), a company specializing in multi-channel communication, and previously of Koriolis (2002), began her career as a digital communication expert in 1996, initially within the Fiat Research Center and then for the first digital projects developed in Italy (Corriere della Sera, Wind, Enel).
Expert in multi-channel and digital communication, CSR and in inclusive communication.
With her team, she is active in the creation and development of innovative multi-channel projects (for clients such as RCS Mediagroup, Tim, Coop, Barilla, Danone, Doxa, Samsung, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Mattel, Topolino, Umberto Veronesi Foundation, Vodafone Foundation, Bracco Foundation, AISM, Erg, Auchan, Zecchino d’Oro, Costa Edutainment, etc.).
In 2014, she conceived and developed with Kulta “Scuola Channel,” a platform aimed at companies and organizations that want to give visibility and effectiveness to CSR projects targeting schools, families, and more generally to digital natives.
In early 2016, she launched together with other partners “Io Consiglio,” a social platform based on advice and word of mouth among friends, created with the aim of revolutionizing the approach to online reviews and giving weight to the proactive value of the consumer.
In 2018, she conceived, with the journalist and writer Gianluca Nicoletti, “Cervelli Ribelli Factory”, a CSR format that starts from neurodivergence to open up to the world of valuing diversity & inclusion and the pride of “different thinking.”
In 2021, she managed the launch of the new platform “Nonni Channel,” conceived and produced by Kulta, aimed at the “silver generation,” with projects and content dedicated.
In 2022, she created the “Comunicare la Sostenibilità” platform, aimed at designing communication strategies capable of enhancing the sustainability best practices of companies and organizations.
She is a co-founding member of The League, a network of European agencies composed of 5 agencies (Germany, France, Spain, UK, and Italy) that addresses European and non-European clients who wish to launch products, services, and projects in Europe, ensuring the specificity of localization in different states and the optimization of investments and communication.

Federica Pasini, the CEO and Co-Founder of Hacking Talents, stands as a pivotal figure in the modern landscape of digital entrepreneurship. With a steadfast commitment to accelerating the development of individuals within medium to large enterprises, Federica is dedicated to enhancing their adaptability and competitiveness in the market. Central to her mission is the creation of an innovative digital platform that intelligently matches individuals with the most suitable coaches, communication experts, or mentors, facilitating bespoke growth journeys that translate into tangible organizational success.
Her academic journey commenced at Bocconi University, where she earned her degree in 2013, laying a robust foundation for her subsequent professional trajectory. Venturing into the vibrant startup scene in London post-graduation, Federica honed her skills and navigated the challenges inherent in the burgeoning entrepreneurial realm, preparing herself for the journey ahead.
Subsequently, Federica embarked on enriching professional stints at Gruppo Generali and Apple, where she garnered invaluable insights and honed her acumen across diverse sectors. At Generali, she started with Global Marketing at the age of 23, focusing on branding and customer experience, before immersing herself in the Apple Store Leadership Program. Upon her return to Generali, she assumed a pivotal role within the Group Diversity & Inclusion team, spearheading initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organization. Her final role before venturing into entrepreneurship was in the Data Strategy & Digital Prototyping team at Generali Jeniot—the telematics insurance entity of the Generali Group. Here, she leveraged her expertise in data analytics and digital innovation to drive strategic initiatives aimed at revolutionizing the insurance industry.
In addition to her professional achievements, Federica's journey is distinguished by her resilience and versatility. Despite contending with ADHD, she has consistently demonstrated remarkable focus, creativity, and determination, turning perceived challenges into sources of strength and innovation.
Furthermore, Federica is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a formidable martial artist, holding a black belt in Judo. This discipline has not only shaped her physical prowess but has also instilled in her invaluable lessons in discipline, perseverance, and strategic thinking—all of which have undoubtedly contributed to her success in both her personal and professional endeavors.
Federica's exceptional leadership and contributions have garnered widespread recognition, with Forbes acknowledging her as one of the top 100 under 30 in the Marketing & Advertising category in 2021. Additionally, her inclusion in the ISPI Future Leaders cohort underscores her status as a trailblazer in the realms of innovation and leadership.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Federica actively champions initiatives aimed at fostering female empowerment, entrepreneurship, and innovation, reflecting her unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within professional spheres.
Her illustrious journey and impactful contributions have been spotlighted across various platforms, including esteemed publications like Elle and insightful interviews. Federica's LinkedIn profile offers a deeper insight into her professional journey, showcasing her thought leadership and visionary approach towards driving organizational and societal change.
In essence, Federica Pasini epitomizes the essence of modern entrepreneurship, embodying innovation, leadership, and a steadfast dedication to fostering growth and empowerment on both individual and organizational levels.

Marco Perego, born in 1979 in Vimercate (MI), lives and works in Los Angeles. The artist has a profound interest in the reuse of materials full of history as well as avant-garde. His body of work addresses the turbulent situations and times we are living in. The artist aims to start a conversation about the incessant change of the world around us and within us, with the continuous search for transformation and transcendence. His works have been exhibited in international group exhibitions at the Rennie Museum in Vancouver, BC, Canada, the Museum of Modern Art in Bologna, the Archaeological Museum in Florence, The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh and the Untilthen in Paris, France . Perego's personal exhibitions have also been hosted at the Michele Maccarone Gallery and in Paris at Untilthen. The artist is a part of the 2024 Venice Biennale for the Vatican Pavilion. In 2025 an installation will be presented at The Capsule of the Center Pompidou - Mertz. His works are present in public collections, from the Jumex in Mexico City, CDMX, to the Rennie Museum in BC, Canada, to the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, California. He just completed his writing and directing debut on his first feature film, "The Absence of Eden," starring Zoe Saldana, Garret Hedlund and Adria Arjona. “The Absence of Eden” is produced by Oscar winner Martin Scorsese. Currently, Perego resides in Los Angeles with his wife and their three children.

Deputy Economy editor and L'Innovazione editor, Corriere della Sera

Stefania Pinna is a professional journalist and currently anchors the 8 p.m. newscast on Sky tg24.
Previously, she edited and hosted "Timeline," an afternoon talk show that delves into major current affairs with guests and extensive coverage.
Stefania's role is multifaceted—she alternates between anchoring the news and field reporting. She serves as a correspondent and is adept at live broadcasts covering a broad range of topics including politics, international affairs, general news, economics, and culture. She also has extensive experience in leading election coverage marathons.
In addition to her journalism, Stefania hosts and curates content for various events, including those for institutions and corporations, literary awards, and informational and entertainment evenings.

Journalist, Corriere della Sera

Giovanni Ronca has worked across various financial and industrial sectors, all marked by significant moments of change and transformation.
After graduating in Economics from the University of Turin, he began his career at the investment holding company Exor SA (a subsidiary of IFI S.p.A.), and later moved to the finance area of Stellantis, where he had the privilege of working for several years in Sergio Marchionne's transformation team.
In 2007, he transitioned to UniCredit, where he held various managerial roles in Italy and the United States in corporate & investment banking. He lived in New York for three years until the end of 2018, before taking on the responsibility as co-head of commercial banking in Italy, overseeing the country's corporate banking and wealth management activities.
In 2019, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the TIM Group and chairman of Olivetti, positions he held until mid-2022. He has been a member of the boards of Satispay, TimFin, and the Italian Investment Fund, and more recently, he has been an advisor for CVC Capital Partners on several significant private equity transactions. He has also been a senior advisor for the mid-cap private equity fund, Quadrivio Group.
Currently, he is in charge of the Wealth Management activities of the UBS Group in Italy and coordinates the integration of Credit Suisse into UBS for Italy.
Giovanni is married to Silvia and has three children. He lives in Turin and loves the countryside.

Passionate and deeply knowledgeable about the world of innovation, Alec Ross is an entrepreneur, investor, and author. He co-founded Emotion Network and currently serves as Distinguished Adjunct Professor at Bologna Business School.
Among his experiences, he was a Senior Advisor for Innovation during Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State. During Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, he served as the Coordinator for the Technology & Media Policy Committee, helping to shape the technological vision of the future administration.
However, Ross's influence extends beyond politics. He is a member of the Board of Directors at Amplo, a global venture capital firm, and sits on several other boards of companies specializing in technology, finance, education, human resources, and cybersecurity. This diverse experience has allowed him to gain in-depth knowledge of a wide range of sectors, making him a reference point for those seeking to navigate the entrepreneurial and technological landscape.
Alec Ross is the author of "The Industries of the Future," which was included in the prestigious New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into 24 languages. The book discusses emerging trends and opportunities in key innovation sectors, offering valuable tools for preparing for the future. His most recent book, "The Raging 2020s: Companies, Countries, People – and the Fight for Our Future," was translated and published in Italian in September 2021.
Ross spends much of his time consulting for investors, startups, and government leaders, aiming to help them understand the implications of macro factors emerging at the intersection of geopolitics, markets, and technology.
His areas of expertise include international market development, executive coaching, cybersecurity, internet companies, and board governance.

Valeria Sandei is CEO of Almawave, a subsidiary of the Almaviva Group, listed on Euronext Growth Milan (AIW.MI), active in the field of Data & Artificial Intelligence.
She is President of the subsidiaries The Data Appeal Company, SisTer, Almawave do Brasil, Almawave USA, Mabrian Technologies and board member of OBDA Systems (formerly a spin-off of La Sapienza University of Rome). She also serves as Vice President at the Fondazione Musica per Roma.
She is a member of the B7 Advisory Board, is on the scientific committee of the RCS Academy Business School's MBA AI & Business Strategy, co-author of 3 US Patents, TEDx speaker, among Forbes List of Italy’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2021 and among the 100 Women in Conversational AI 2023.
In 2023, she received “Mela d’Oro 2023” award for Management of the Bellisario Foundation, with the support of the Presidency of the Italian Republic, and the patronage of various Ministries and an Honorary Committee, the “Excellence Key Award”, and the “Ceoxlife Award 2023” for "Innovation". She was also awarded the “Business Excellence Award for Innovation 2023”sponsored by the Italian Stock Exchange, and the “Como lake Award 2023” in the “Artificial Intelligence and Metaverse” category and, in 2022, the AssoNEXT “Best ESG Identity” Award.
Graduated with honors in Economics & Financial Markets at Bocconi University, she started her professional career at JP Morgan, then at Accenture, in the Strategy Practice.
She has been with the Almaviva Group since 2004, where she has held various positions, including the Group's Strategic Marketing Officer. Since 2007 she has been CEO of Almawave that she started and led to the listing on the Milan Stock Exchange in March 2021.
The Almawave Group now comprises seven companies, over 400 highly specialized professionals, six R&D laboratories, developing proprietary technology and products, and over 400 national and international customers.

Howard Schultz built Starbucks Coffee Company into one of the world’s most recognized and respected businesses, a company committed to strengthening communities through human connection and innovation.
Howard grew up in public housing in Brooklyn and was the first in his family to graduate college.
As a young entrepreneur, he set out to build a different kind of company, one that delivers business excellence through a culture of compassion. Under his leadership, Starbucks grew from eleven stores with 100 partners (employees) to more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries, employing nearly 350,000 partners serving approximately 90 million customers per week. As ceo, he pioneered programs like comprehensive healthcare, stock ownership and free college tuition for full and part-time employees. In 2011, Fortune named Howard ceo of the year and, in 2019, Fortune ranked Starbucks fifth on its list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.”
From 1987-2018, Howard served as ceo and executive chairman of Starbucks board of directors, one of America’s most diverse corporate boards. He led the company’s IPO and presided over more than 100 quarterly earnings calls. From the time the company went public in 1992 until 2018, his last year as executive chairman, he oversaw a 21,826 percent return to shareholders. In 2014, he predicted a seismic shift in consumer behaviour for brick and mortar retailers and decided to invest heavily in mobile technology to elevate the experience in stores and drive customer loyalty. As a result, today Starbucks has the number one ranked retail mobile app platform.
Since leaving Starbucks, Howard has turned his attention with his wife Sheri to ways to create greater opportunity, accessible to all. Together they co-founded the Schultz Family Foundation, focusing on helping young people successfully navigate the transition to adulthood. Through the Emes Project LLC, Howard is bringing an entrepreneurial lens to public-private partnerships, strategic advocacy, policy challenges, and political reform with the goal of enabling everyone to access the full promise of America. Both organizations are being funded in part by investments the Schultz family is making in the entrepreneurial companies of tomorrow. As part of investing in values-based, innovative people and companies, Howard is offering mentoring and guidance through the lens of his experience building Starbucks. Returns from many of these investments will be re-invested in the Schultz Family Foundation and the Emes Project to increase the family’s impact over the long-term, with the goal of creating meaningful change for generations to come.

Brilliant Minds was founded in 2015 by Spotify founder and CEO, Daniel Ek and today comprises of an esteemed and established board consisting of the biggest business leaders and entrepreneurs across Europe. The Foundation has brought together the world’s most influential thought leaders at the intersection of humanity and technology, with past speakers, including President Barack Obama, co-founder of Snap Inc Evan Spiegel, activist and supermodel Naomi
Campbell and lifestyle expert and actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Prior to her current role, Annastasia was the Group CEO of Quintessentially. The first female and millennial to hold the Group CEO role, Annastasia was responsible for the strategy and day-to-day operations of Quintessentially, the world’s leading lifestyle group. Her remit involved leading a team of over 1,000 employees across 50 cities. Annastasia spearheaded Quintessentially’s global growth, navigated a hospitality business through the pandemic and led the group through a significant restructure. During her tenure annual revenues exceeded $100 million.
She has been profiled in publications such as Forbes, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, The CEO Magazine and Harvard Business Review, amongst others and British GQ, listed Annastasia as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in the UK.
Profiled in Forbes as the ‘Queen of Luxury’ and an authority on international business, Annastasia is a renowned figure on the speaker circuit and frequently asked to contribute at high profile events such as Web Summit and FT conferences. Annastasia covers topics from luxury consumers, lifestyle trends, leadership and an overall macro view on the lifestyle and luxury sectors. Her speaking engagements span small internal management groups to 3,000+ people on the main stage at international conferences.

Davide is the Founder and CEO of Algebris Investments, a global investment manager with a historical focus on the financial sector across the capital structure. Founded in 2006, Algebris has gradually expanded its expertise and entered the global credit, Italian equity and green transition space to capture a broader set of value opportunities. Algebris currently manages $23 USD billion of assets and maintains offices in London (FCA regulated), Boston (SEC), Singapore (MAS), Tokyo (FSA), Dublin (CBI), Milan, Zurich and Rome. Davide, a dual Italian and British citizen, is recognised as one of the World's leading experts on financial services and is often consulted by the World's Central Bankers and Regulators on policy matters and regularly contributes to the discourse on financial reform. Furthermore, Davide has been awarded the Commendatore designation, a decoration of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Before founding Algebris, Davide was Managing Director at Morgan Stanley where he headed the European Banks Research Team and was the Global Banks team coordinator. Davide was rated individually among the top European banks analysts for the period 1999-2006. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Davide worked in the top-rated UBS Banks research team as a senior analyst (1995-2000). He is Chairman and Trustee of the Hakuna Matata foundation (hakunamatata-charity.org), a registered UK charity which he founded with his wife in April 2010. The primary focus of the foundation’s work is assisting orphaned children in Central Tanzania. Davide is a graduate cum laude of Bocconi University in Italy and holds a Master CEMS. He speaks Italian and is fluent in English and French. Davide played volleyball professionally in Italy from 1985 and 1990 and reached Series A1. He is a keen alpinist and enjoys sailing around the world.

Dr. KR Sridhar is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Bloom Energy. Prior to founding Bloom Energy, Dr. Sridhar was Director of the Space Technologies Laboratory (STL) at the University of Arizona, where he was also a professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.
Under his leadership, STL won several nationally competitive contracts to conduct research and development for Mars exploration and flight experiments to Mars. Dr. Sridhar has served as an advisor to NASA and has led major consortia of industry, academia, and national labs. His work for the NASA Mars program to convert Martian atmospheric gases to oxygen for propulsion and life support was recognized by Fortune Magazine, where he was cited as "one of the top five futurists inventing tomorrow, today."
Dr. Sridhar serves on the Board of Directors for C3 ai, Inc., the External Advisory Board at Caltech’s Resnick Sustainability Institute, and the Board of Visitors at the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Additionally, he has served as a strategic limited partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and as a special advisor to New Enterprise Associates. An early pioneer in green tech, Dr. Sridhar has also served on many technical committees, panels, and advisory boards and has several publications and patents. He received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with Honors from the University of Madras (now called NIT, Trichy), India, as well as his master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Caryl M. Stern is the Chief Impact Officer at LionTree, an independent investment and merchant bank with deep roots in the media, technology, communications, consumer, and creative industries. The former Executive Director of the Walton Family Foundation (2020–2023), she previously served for 14 years as President and CEO of UNICEF USA, and, before that, as Senior Associate National Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Anti-Defamation League; the founding director of its A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute; and the Dean of Students at Polytechnic University. Caryl was invited to present at the White House’s inaugural summit on The United State of Women and was named one of “25 Women Changing the World in 2017” by People Magazine. She serves on the boards of directors of The Container Store and the We Are Family Foundation, in addition to being a member of the Chime for Change Advisory Board. The recipient of five honorary doctoral degrees, Caryl earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art and a master’s degree in college student personnel administration, and completed her Ph.D. coursework in the same field.

Mariarosaria Taddeo is Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, and is Defence Science and Technology Ethics Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. Her work focuses mainly on digital ethics, the ethical analysis of artificial intelligence (AI), ethics of AI for national defence, cybersecurity, cyber conflicts, and ethics of digital innovation. Her research has been published in major journals like Nature, Nature Machine Intelligence, Science, and Science Robotics. She has received multiple awards, the 2010 Simon Award for Outstanding Research in Computing and Philosophy; the 2016 World Technology Award for Ethics. In 2018, InspiringFifty named her among the most inspiring 50 Italian women working in technology. ORBIT listed her among the top 100 women working on Ethics of AI in the world. She is one the twelve 2020 "Outstanding Rising Talents" named by the Women's Forum for Economy and Society. In 2023, she has been awarded the title of Grande Ufficiale al Merito Della Repubblica Italiana, by the Italian President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella in recognition of the impact of her research. Since 2016, Taddeo serves as editor-in-chief of Minds & Machines (SpringerNature) and of Philosophical Studies Series (SpringerNature). Since 2020, Taddeo serves in the Ethics Advisory Panel to the UK Ministry of Defence.

Founder, Chairman and CEO of T.I.P. - Tamburi Investment Partners S.p.A., an independent and diversified industrial group focused on the development and growth of medium-sized Italian companies with characteristics of excellence, listed on the STAR market of Borsa Italiana. Currently the largest private investor in Italy - 5 billion invested including club deals - in medium-sized companies.
Board member of Alpitour, Azimut Benetti, Amplifon, Beta Utensili, Eataly, Interpump, Dexelance, Itaca Equity Holding, OVS, Roche Bobois and others.

Lorenzo Thione is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and expert in Artificial Intelligence He is a public speaker, advocate for ethical representation, and passionate about the power of storytelling. His multifaceted startups, investments, achievements and contributions across multiple fields make him a compelling and inspiring figure in both technology and the arts.
He is an expert and practician at the intersection of AI and Technology, Storytelling, and Social Advocacy. He has a deep background in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and has gone from AI researcher and technologist at FXPal/Parc, to being the co-founder of Powerset, a pioneering AI company that developed one of the earliest AI-powered web search engines. Powerset was later acquired by Microsoft and became a part of the launch of Bing in 2009.
Currently, he serves as the Managing Director of Gaingels, where he oversees AI, deep-tech and consumer tech investments. Gaingels is a leading investment syndicate dedicated to balancing minority representation in venture, and one of the most active private investors in North America. He is also a co-founding chairman of StartOut, which is dedicated to supporting and elevating LGBTQ+ founders in the venture startup ecosystem.
Beyond technology and venture capital, he is a celebrated storyteller and creative producer in the Theater. He is a four-times nominated and twice winner of the Tony Award for his work in producing on Broadway. His productions include "Hadestown," "The Inheritance," “&Juliet”, “Days of Wine and Roses”, “The Notebook” and "Allegiance," a musical he co-created and produced which starred George Takei and Lea Salonga.
He is also an active investor and advisor to numerous AI startups, in his ongoing involvement in the advancement of AI and in the technological and social revolution it is ushering. His career, roles, and the numerous projects - both creative and philanthropic - he has taken part in highlight his belief in the power of representation and inclusion in both business and the arts. In addition to being a cofounder of StartOut and co-managing partner of Gaingels, he was also recognized as one of the most influential LGBT people in tech in 2014 and 2018.
He was born and raised in Milan, and completed his studies at the University of Texas at Austin, from which he holds an M.S in Computer Engineering.

As the Founder of Edugo.ai and now serving as Vice President of AI at Docebo, Giuseppe Tomasello's passion for Generative AI drives him to create innovative learning technologies that transform the educational experience. With over eight years of experience at the intersection of AI and learning technology, his mission is to leverage this potent combination to develop advanced, efficient, and tailored learning solutions.
Having significantly contributed to establishing Edugo.ai as a trailblazer in the Generative AI and learning technology sector, Tomasello remains committed to developing cutting-edge solutions that optimize the learning experience and cater to unique learner needs. In his current role at Docebo, he is excited to drive the evolution of corporate learning, shaping the way learning technologies are delivered and experienced in this new era of AI.
At the core of his work is a belief in the power of AI to extend human potential. By using AI as a tool to gain deeper insights into human learning and behavior, Tomasello aims to create technologies that not only impart knowledge but also enhance our understanding of the learning process itself. This approach aligns with the ongoing advancements in AI, where technology serves as a means to unlock new levels of human capability and comprehension.

James Vincent, founder and CEO of FNDR, is renowned for his storytelling skills. His career has led him to work side by side with some of the most innovative entrepreneurs of recent decades.
As CEO of FNDR, James leads a team of the world's most experienced consultants and storytellers, personally engaging in most consultations to offer his vast experience and vision to founders seeking FNDR's guidance. He helps them navigate both the broader context and the daily challenges of managing their businesses.
James Vincent spent over ten years at Apple, working alongside Steve Jobs, where he crafted the narrative and communication for disruptive products like the iPod, iTunes, iPhone, App Store, and iPad. During this time, in 2006, he founded Apple's exclusive partner agency, Media Arts Lab, where he also served as CEO. Under his leadership, the agency grew to include over 500 people in 6 offices worldwide.
After his tenure at Apple, James Vincent became a key advisor to Airbnb's founder and CEO, Brian Chesky, shaping the user experience globally. Specifically, Vincent provided comprehensive brand development advice for Airbnb and worked internally to develop the minimum viable product (MVP). This effort culminated in the launch of "Experiences" as a significant part of the Trips platform in November 2016.
More broadly, his entrepreneurial and storytelling abilities have helped launch successful companies such as Snap, Glossier, Sonos, Farfetch, Gro Intelligence, Patreon, Sorare, and Scale.ai, to name a few.
James Vincent is also a guest on Fast Company's podcast "Most Innovative Companies," where he shares his knowledge and experiences with an audience interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.