Female entrepreneurs in Italy

A map of Italian women entrepreneurs, from North to South, from different generations, established in a plurality of sectors - from fashion to tourism, from wine production to luggage, from goldsmith art to cinema - including those considered more typically male, such as mechanics or waste disposal: an exhibition presents them in Rome, at Palazzo Piacentini, promoted by the Ministry of Enterprise with the Bellisario Foundation.

An area with explanatory panels, images and objects takes us to the heart of Made in Italy united with female leadership: we leave with an injection of confidence and optimism for the new generations, albeit in the knowledge of the many difficulties and gender disparities that still weigh on women in our country (and beyond) in 2025. This is summed up well by Chiara Pertosa, 44, an aerospace entrepreneur and CEO of Sitael, in the sentence that accompanies her presentation (each panel is enriched by a thought that identifies each one): 'If we want to explore new horizons in Space, we must first break down barriers on Earth. Inclusion and diversity are the propellant of technological progress'.

The exhibition is not chronological, nor have the protagonists been chosen on the basis of company size (as demonstrated by luthier Ester Passiatore, an entrepreneur herself). The idea is to highlight women's talent, creativity and ability to succeed in doing business. Pioneers, such as Luisa Spagnoli and Adele Fendi, stand alongside the women of today: their lowest common denominator remains elegance, a modern outlook and innovation. A small rigid bag by Furla, led by president Giovanna Furlanetto, was created in 1927 but seems to have been born today. The wine bottles of Cobalto, administered by Sandra Palombo, bear the marks of marine sediments after their original maturation at sea, at a depth of almost forty metres. Also striking are the Sardinian bread necklaces, given to brides and made using an ancient technique that has been handed down through the ages: a splendid specimen can be seen next to the presentation by tour operator Angela Fadda, who recalls how 'women are the mothers of the journey, but often their role is not recognised'. Nor could Maria Cristina Fogazzi, or 'the cynical beautician', be absent with her Veralab: the Brescian - who started out on Instagram - has built an empire with body care products, so successful that Mattel has dedicated a Barbie to her. Upon entering, you are greeted by a large, deep blue trunk, displayed vertically, with drawers and shelves inside. It almost looks like a small wardrobe and bears the signature of the Roncato sisters. Just as the shoe illustrating this page seems to have been created ad hoc for an exhibition on Made in Italy, but is one of the products of Giorgia Caovilla, daughter of René, the famous luxury footwear designer and founder of the O Jour line.

Many of them continue the adventure of the family business, innovating and putting their own stamp on it on the one hand, revealing an aptitude for teamwork on the other. Since 1997, Margherita Dogliani (Viareggio, born in 1958) has been running the family biscuit factory founded by her father and uncle, and in which her mother was a worker. Hers is an Olivettian approach, she decides to bring culture into the factory for the workers who are always in debt, organising the Donna Anima e Corpo (Woman Soul and Body) exhibition and opening the doors to the outside world. A sharing that is wealth because, as she sums it up, 'the factory churns out sweets and produces thought'.

The stories are many, impossible here to mention them all. It is just a pity that we do not have a catalogue that conveys the work done and fixes on paper the insights and suggestions offered by these women. The hope is that the exhibition will become a new starting point to further develop the mapping, broadening the spectrum and delving into the stories of each one, in the wake of the Bellisario Prize (awarded to so many female entrepreneurs in the exhibition), a recognition that brings female professionalism and talent to light. The idea of a travelling exhibition, now being studied, could also be a winner.