PWN Global

PWN Milan: Network is Your Strength

As reported in previous newsletters, as part of a broad global initiative, PWN Milan has joined forces with Marina Rinaldi, Ya.Be and Fondazione Bellisario for a series of unmissable events, dedicated to Wwomen's Empowerment.

PWN Milan, reknowned in Italy as an exceptional global professional women networking association, will co-host the 'Network is your Strength' initiative organised by iconic fashion house Marina Rinaldi at selected boutiques, in collaboration with Ya.Be beauty brand and Fondazione Marisa Bellisario

Fashion, Beauty, Networking and Social are the four pillars that meet and merge to give life to 'NETWORK IS YOUR STRENGTH’, a captivating roadshow of events focused on the development of female leadership, and, on sharing experiences between women in Italy and around the world.

Iconic fashion brand Marina Rinaldi, holding to their everlasting vision of women in their uniqueness and authenticity, has organised a series of unmissable events from 26th October to 23rd November 2023 at some of its most prestigious and centrally located boutiques: interactive talks by women for women, open to the public, to share experiences and strengthen their value, while at the same time creating a rich and cohesive network.

The events will be held in collaboration with PWN Milan - the Milanese branch of Professional Women's Network Global - which consolidates its collaboration with Marina Rinaldi for the second consecutive year, animating the programme in the name of female empowerment and networking between women. PWN has indeed been recognising their value and strength at an international level for over 30 years, offering women a platform to connect, share ideas and opportunities and build meaningful relationships for their personal and professional development.

«With the NETWORK IS YOUR STRENGTH programme we celebrate women’s strength and the common vision of a more equitable, representative and inclusive future», says Gini Dupasquier, Vice President Strategic Development of PWN Global: «PWN is an organisation present in over 30 cities across the globe that promotes professional networking and gender balance. The organisation welcomes women of all ages and professional profiles and accompanies them in their professional development through training programmes, mentoring and networking meetings. For this reason, we are very happy with the collaboration between PWN, Marina Rinaldi and YA.BE. Our organisations are united by a very important objective: the empowerment of women through self-awareness and networking as a tool for mutual sharing and growth.»

Fondazione Bellisario The events will also be in collaboration with the historic Fondazione Marisa Bellisario, an all-Italian foundation that has been committed to building a country suitable for women and growth for 35 years. «We do this through the power of network, a network of dialogue and exchange ready to undertake concrete battles to affirm merit and equal opportunities», states Lella Golfo, President of the Foundation. «Ours is a laboratory of growth and exchange of ideas and experiences that helps to read and understand reality and to find solutions to "change pace" and make women protagonists of their time. This is why we joined the project immediately and enthusiastically. Fondazione Marisa Bellisario’s story is one of a shared ambition and lived solidarity, a positive and winning story with which we want to contaminate the present and the future: this joint project represents a platform to carry forward our idea of a network, with women and for women, because sustainable and inclusive development passes through them.»

Ya.be and PWN Milan Last but not least, the NETWORK IS YOUR STRENGTH partnership is enriched by the precious contribution of YA.BE beauty brand, which will gift participants with a Gift Box of selected products and related Mindfulness podcasts, so that each event may become a true date to dedicate quality time to yourself thanks to targeted beauty and wellness routines.

Event Speakers

Among the many prominent figures focused on female empowerment, the following will participate in the talks:

Luisella Giani, Europe Digital Enterprise Advisory Lead at Avanade, is a prominent figure in the world of digital innovation. With a degree in Artificial Intelligence, she has held various roles, ranging from product management to marketing and sales for iconic online brands such as Skype, Netlog, and Lycos. She has led digital transformation efforts for multinational companies like Yellow Pages, Goodyear-Dunlop, and DuPont Coating. In recent years, she has taken on senior leadership roles at the EMEA level for Oracle, continuing to make significant contributions to the digital evolution of major Fortune 500 companies. Luisella's dedication and talent have been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious title of "Tech Visionary" in 2021 and being named an "Unstoppable Woman" for three consecutive years. At Avanade, Luisella's role is to support companies in their ongoing innovation efforts. Her goal is to define, create, and implement new business models and digital experiences, thereby contributing to the future of the digital industry.

Gini Dupasquier, PWN Global, Vice President Strategic Development. Following 20 years of professional experience in the business consultancy sector in Italy and abroad, today she is General Director of the Ortygia Foundation, which deals with enhancing the human capital of Southern Italy through orientation and professional development programmes to support in particular the female and youth employment. Always active on the topic of women empowerment, she has participated in projects and working groups with public institutions, such as the European Commission and the Ministry of Equal Opportunities, and private companies. She has been involved in the PWN board for over 10 years, she was President of PWN Milan until 2023 and is now involved in the Global Board with the role of Vice President for Strategic Development. An incurable optimist, she never tires of fighting inequalities and promoting social justice.

Lella Golfo, Founder and President of the Marisa Bellisario Foundation. Journalist, Commander and Knight of the Republic, her life is a story of social commitment for women. Lella Golfo conceived, presented and strongly supported, despite a tough battle in and outside Parliament, Law 120 which introduced gender quotas for the first time in Italy on 28th June 2011. Among the numerous awards received during her long career in committing to women, the latest is The Italy America Chamber of Commerce Business and Culture Award 2013, one of the most prestigious international awards, 'due to the initiatives undertaken and the incredible commitment to the affirmation of women's rights in the world of work in a global context'.