L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 26 L'Italo-Americano the Met Film School. She currently leads the finance function at The Exchange, a prestigious independent film s a l e s a g e n c y . H e r c a r e e r exemplifies how a solid foun- d a t i o n i n f i n a n c e c a n b e applied to the creative indus- tries. "Bocconi taught me financial discipline and the value of thorough analysis," C h i o d o r e m a r k e d . " T h e methods I learned 25 years a g o s t i l l g u i d e m e t o d a y , whether structuring deals or taking on entrepreneurial projects." Chiodo began her career in investment banking in London, working with Bar- clays Capital and Citigroup. While these experiences were formative, she soon realized her desire to combine analyt- ical skills with her passion for the arts. "After a few years in finance, I transitioned into entertainment. It was a nat- u r a l s h i f t , t h a n k s t o t h e financial discipline instilled at Bocconi," she explained. T o d a y , C h i o d o ' s w o r k spans corporate and produc- tion finance, as well as con- sulting on film projects. She seamlessly integrates her investment expertise with her love for theater and cine- ma, making her career both d y n a m i c a n d f u l f i l l i n g . "Merging my knowledge of investments with my passion for the arts has been incredi- bly rewarding. Bocconi pro- vided the foundation for all w a s e n t i r e l y i n E n g l i s h , which provided a solid foun- d a t i o n f o r m y d i p l o m a t i c career," Errighi explained. "I had the opportunity to par- ticipate in an exchange pro- g r a m i n T h a i l a n d , a l i f e - changing experience that sparked my interest in inter- national policies and devel- opment." Errighi shared how her time in Thailand broad- e n e d h e r h o r i z o n s a n d inspired a career combining economics and international affairs. "Initially, I chose Thailand because it seemed like an exotic destination, but the experience profoundly changed my worldview. It taught me to adapt to differ- e n t c u l t u r e s a n d w a y s o f thinking—essential skills for a diplomat." A f t e r g r a d u a t i n g f r o m Bocconi, Errighi pursued a dual master's degree in inter- national affairs and econom- ic policies at the Institut d'É- tudes Politiques de Paris and the London School of Eco- nomics. These experiences further solidified her passion for international develop- ment and paved the way for her current prominent role in diplomacy. B a r b a r a C h i o d o : b r i d g i n g f i n a n c e a n d entertainment Barbara Chiodo, a Bocconi graduate in Finance, holds an MBA from INSEAD and cer- tifications in entertainment management from UCLA and of this," Chiodo concluded. Isabella Mastrodicasa: championing storytelling in Hollywood Isabella Mastrodicasa, a Bocconi graduate in Law and in Business & Management o f E n t e r t a i n m e n t f r o m UCLA, is now a manager and producer based in Los Ange- les. In 2022, she founded Never Settle Media to sup- p o r t d i g i t a l c r e a t o r s a n d global filmmakers, making h e r m a r k i n H o l l y w o o d ' s dynamic entertainment land- scape. "Bocconi taught me the discipline and courage to face unknown challenges," Mastrodicasa explained. "My law degree has been invalu- able in understanding con- tracts and negotiating deals— skills that have been essential i n m y w o r k w i t h w r i t e r s , directors, and artists." M a s t r o d i c a s a ' s c a r e e r includes notable collabora- t i o n s w i t h T h e K e n n e d y / Marshall Company, where she assisted Frank Marshall a n d R y a n S u f f e r n o n t h e a w a r d - w i n n i n g documentary Finding Oscar, executive produced by Steven Spielberg. She later managed digital talent at Heroes and V i l l a i n s E n t e r t a i n m e n t b e f o r e f o u n d i n g h e r o w n company. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, "Build- ing trust, aligning with cre- ative visions, and represent- ing clients require the same critical thinking and team- work I learned at Bocconi. One of the greatest lessons w a s e m b r a c i n g u n k n o w n c h a l l e n g e s w i t h a n o p e n mind." T h e C h a n g e d b y Women event not only high- lighted the extraordinary a c h i e v e m e n t s o f B o c c o n i alumnae but also reinforced the university's commitment to supporting future genera- tions. By sharing these sto- ries, Bocconi aims to inspire young women to dream big and pursue their ambitions, overcoming any obstacles along the way. As Consul G e n e r a l V a l e n t i n i a p t l y noted, "Bocconi is a shining example of Italian academic excellence. Through initia- tives like this, we can contin- ue to inspire and support tal- ented women in achieving their dreams." believe the passion and rigor instilled by Bocconi have accompanied me at every stage of my life. Both Boc- coni and my earlier career as a ballerina taught me disci- pline: whether perfecting a pirouette or working as an attorney striving for flawless r e s u l t s , t h e c o m m i t m e n t required is the same. Even today, I find myself applying the lessons I learned at Boc- coni to my daily work." The event featured three Bocconi alumnae: Barbara C h i o d o , C E O o f S i p a r i o Entertainment; Lorenza Errighi, Consul of Italy in Los Angeles; and Isabella Mastrodicasa, founder of Never Settle Media. Their stories, diverse yet unified by their connection to Bocconi, h i g h l i g h t t h e p r o f o u n d impact the university has had on their personal and professional lives. L o r e n z a E r r i g h i : diplomacy on a global scale L o r e n z a E r r i g h i , w h o graduated in 2013 with a degree in International Eco- nomics, Management, and Finance, is now Consul of Italy in Los Angeles, one of the largest Italian consulates in the United States. Her multifaceted role involves complex diplomatic work aimed at strengthening ties between Italy and the United States. "My program at Bocconi T h r e e e x t r a o r d i - nary women, all c o n n e c t e d t o B o c c o n i U n i - versity, shared their transformative stories d u r i n g t h e C h a n g e d b y Women event in Los Angeles. Each of them undertook a unique journey that led them to attend one of Europe's most prestigious institutions in the social sciences, forever changing their careers. This event, designed to celebrate and connect with Bocconi's o u t s t a n d i n g a l u m n a e , marked the culmination of the Changed by Women 2024 initiative. The project aims to sup- port scholarships for women from diverse backgrounds, h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e a c h i e v e - ments of 99 alumnae who pursued their dreams and changed their futures. "It is a way to inspire the next gener- ation of girls and amplify the voices of exceptional women m a k i n g a g l o b a l i m p a c t , " Consul General Raffaella Valentini stated. "Bocconi University has always been a beacon of pluralism, inde- pendence, and entrepreneur- ial spirit, fostering socioeco- nomic progress in Italy and beyond. This initiative is also an important step toward raising funds to support tal- ented female students aspir- ing to study at Bocconi," the Consul General concluded. Founded in 1902, Bocconi University is internationally recognized for its leadership in fields such as Manage- ment, Economics, Finance, Law, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Political Science. Over the years, the institution has earned a rep- utation as a hub of innova- tion and excellence, promot- ing a culture of learning that encourages students to chal- lenge themselves and think globally. The event in Los Angeles, which marked the culmina- tion of the project, brought together leaders, innovators, and alumnae to share their journeys. The evening was moderated by Fiammetta Piazza, an attorney at the L o s A n g e l e s o f f i c e o f t h e national law firm Polsinelli. A B o c c o n i a l u m n a h e r s e l f , Piazza's academic path spans two continents, with degrees from Loyola Law School-Los Angeles, UCLA, and Bocconi. Reflecting on her experience at Bocconi, she remarked: "I From left: Isabella Mastrodicasa, Fiammetta Piazza, Lorenza Errighi and Barbara Chiodo Three women, one university: stories of transformation at Bocconi SILVIA NITTOLI LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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