Place of residence: Italy

Position: Deputy Industrial Director

Please describe a day in your life

I wake up at 06:15, ready to start the day. After a refreshing shower, I spend some time reading two newspapers to stay updated on the latest local and international news. Around 07:30 or shortly after, I’m at the office, ready to begin my workday. Between meetings, projects, and interactions with colleagues, the day passes by quickly and intensively. In the evening, after work, I head to the gym for a workout that helps me keep my mind and body fit. Once back home, dinner is a pleasure, and then the evening begins, always different depending on my commitments. I can choose to spend time with loved ones, go to the theatre or watch a movie, read, focus on work, or work on one of my personal projects or music lessons with my trumpet. With various interests, the challenge is always finding the right balance among all the commitments!

How many projects are you currently working on? Please describe them

Currently, at Amorim Cork Italy, we are implementing an ambitious expansion plan for our industrial facility, with the goal of increasing the surface area from 3,700 to 8,000 square meters. This expansion will enable us to support the company’s growth and offer an even higher level of service in the market. At the same time, I am leading a cross-functional project aimed at transforming our organization into a Positive Organization/Org+. The objective is to create a strong and positive corporate culture that promotes employees’ psychological and physical well-being, thereby increasing their satisfaction, productivity, and workplace engagement.

This ambitious project involves every individual through training programs focused on a wide range of topics, including the science of happiness, positive leadership, effective communication, stress management, and the development of multiple intelligences.

Considering the wide range of topics addressed in this project, which is always supported by scientific research, I have also developed a multilevel communication strategy to support it. I use company TV and create a monthly newsletter sent to all employees in the organization. This provides them with the opportunity to delve into multiple subjects.

The scientific approach I have chosen to adopt aims to form “Complexity Thinkers,” individuals capable of applying scientific research in complex contexts, facilitating transformative experiences and improvement processes.

Furthermore, I am an active team member dedicated to maintaining the company’s “Family Audit Executive” certification. This commitment translates into concrete actions aimed at promoting work-life balance and employee well-being. Among these actions are establishing a company library, implementing time-saving services, and promoting sustainable mobility, food sustainability, and social responsibility.

In your opinion, who is the most influential person/company in the world of technology these days?

Currently, it’s hard to ignore Elon Musk’s influence in the world of technology. Through his companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, he has redefined key sectors such as automotive and space exploration while continuing to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence and brain-computer interfaces. His influence extends beyond the business world, as his provocative statements and social media presence fuel discussions and debates on topics ranging from AI ethics to the colonization of Mars.

If you could pick one app/product/project existing now that you wish you were involved in, what would it be?

If I could be involved in an existing project, I would opt for the OpenAI project. This initiative represents a collective effort to develop artificial intelligence responsibly and safely, ensuring that ethical principles guide AI developments and aim to benefit all humanity. Contributing to shaping a future where AI is a valuable ally for humanity rather than a threat would be incredibly rewarding.

How do you see technology evolving in the next ten years?

The technological evolution of the next ten years promises to be revolutionary, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. We will witness increased interconnectedness between devices and people through the Internet of Things and the era of 5/6G. At the same time, automation and robotics will transform how we work and live.

What would you like the industry to look like in ten years?

In ten years, I would like to see a technology industry that continues to push further beyond sectoral boundaries, increasingly integrating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and biotechnology to tackle the most pressing challenges of our society. I envision an urban landscape dominated by smart cities, where energy is sustainable and transportation is efficient and accessible, promoting widespread adoption of electric and shared vehicles. I would like to witness the creation of infrastructure designed to address environmental challenges, such as climate change and extreme weather events.

I desire an industry that has further revolutionized the healthcare sector, offering personalized diagnostics and treatments based on accurate data, capable of tangibly improving the quality of life for millions of people. I hope that technological innovation is imbued with ethical principles, social justice, and environmental sustainability, thus contributing to shaping a future where technology is truly an ally of humanity.

What are the three characteristics you have that make you successful in tech?

Key characteristics for success in the technology sector include the ability to adapt quickly to changes, a constant curiosity for innovation, and the capability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Additionally, perseverance and the ability to learn from failures are crucial to tackling the inevitable challenges.

What is the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your career?

While I’m someone who can read people reasonably well, interpersonal relationships still represent one of the major challenges I’ve faced and continue to face. This is likely due to my perfectionist side, where I constantly seek to create and maintain a “perfect” balance within my working context. For many, this vision might seem utopian, but I’ve found that the effort dedicated to fully understanding people, though significant, pays off in the long run with considerable dividends.

What is your greatest achievement up until today?

It was an honour to be one of the 21 Positive Leadership Awards 2023 winners. This international recognition celebrates excellence in positive leadership and managerial innovation. I was chosen as the sole Italian awardee among 7,399 candidates from 18 countries on five continents. This success reflects my constant commitment to leadership that inspires and promotes lasting impact, contributing to creating a corporate culture grounded in sustainable development.

What do you wish yourself with respect to your career?

In my professional journey, I aspire to continue growing and developing my skills significantly. I hope to face challenges that allow me to expand my horizons and contribute to projects that positively impact society, striving to motivate and inspire others. I am determined to commit to innovation and progress consistently, always seeking to create added value.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

It’s important to have long-term goals, but the path to achieving them is dotted with multiple medium and short term milestones. Therefore, I will continue to work tirelessly, focusing on the “immediate” goals while always keeping my long-term vision in mind. I know that my active and curious nature will lead me to tackle challenges with the right determination. I am aware that success doesn’t come by itself but results from hard work, dedication, and a mindset open to change and continuous improvement.

What is your next goal?

My next goal is to successfully drive Amorim Cork Italy’s industrial expansion, ensuring not only an increase in our production capacity but also the strengthening of our market position and the full satisfaction of our customers’ needs. Concurrently, I will continue to build and promote a strong and positive corporate culture that fosters employees’ psychological and physical well-being, thereby increasing their satisfaction, productivity, and engagement in the workplace, further solidifying our corporate management model.

What do non-tech people around you (family, friends) think you do?

Reflecting on it, the people around me speak quite the same “language” as I do. Certainly, some may have a more limited “vocabulary,” but we can still understand each other. This is an interesting indicator of the predominance of technology in our daily lives.

Which famous person would you like to have dinner with and why?

I would love to dine with Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web. His vision of an open and accessible web has radically transformed modern society, and it would be a unique opportunity to discuss his perspective on the web, his hopes, and his fears regarding its evolution. Additionally, it would be fascinating to explore with him the social, political, and economic implications of the modern web and discuss future challenges, such as online privacy, misinformation, and the centralization of power in the hands of a few tech giants.

Do you have a person who influences or motivates you?

In addition to the crucial role of mentors, I believe it’s essential to reflect on the situations and encounters we have along our journey. Personally, I’ve found inspiration and been influenced by a wide range of individuals and circumstances, a process that continues to shape my personal growth to this day. That’s why I find great value in travelling and meeting people, seeking to understand how they have challenged themselves to see and understand the world.

I find the “key” to facing challenges with greater wisdom and intelligence in this continuous dialogue with human diversity.

What did you dream of creating/inventing/doing as a child?

As a child, in addition to literally dismantling everything to discover how things were built, I was fascinated by the magazine “Focus” that my father always bought. I also had a strong interest in a military career, a classic aspiration for many youngsters!

How has Covid-19 changed the way people view technological development?

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption and importance of technology in multiple sectors. From online education to remote work, from telemedicine to home delivery services, people have seen technology as a vital means to adapt to the new normal, highlighting its crucial role in keeping individuals connected and productive during social restrictions.

This shift in perspective has amplified awareness of the importance of technology in shaping our future and addressing global challenges, driving innovation in sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and communication. However, it has also highlighted existing digital inequalities and raised concerns about privacy and data security in an increasingly interconnected world.