YOUR FUTURE

How have you evolved professionally beyond the technical skills you have acquired so far?
"I believe that the goal of anyone starting their professional journey is to build solid technical skills. For me, acquiring these skills, along with organizational and problem-solving abilities, allowed me to establish myself. But as I grew, the need to develop managerial skills overtook the need for the technical know-how I had acquired over many years of work. That was probably the true turning point. At that moment, I had to learn empathy, communication skills, and the importance of fostering a collaborative environment.”

Why do you think you could be a role model for students and young professionals?
"Like all young people, I too, back in my university days, used to imagine my future. With determination and hard work, I saw my dream come true. It wasn't an easy path, and it certainly wasn't a straight one. That's why I would like to encourage these young men and women not to give up in uncertain or hostile environments and to learn to become the architects of their own destiny. Things don't happen on their own; sometimes a little push is needed to make them happen.”


Which experience, from your point of view, can be inspirational for young people?
"I spent many years working toward a goal, only to see it slip away just when I was very close to achieving it. I felt confused, lost. Only later did I realize that this failure had opened up a series of opportunities that I hadn't been able to see before, and I embraced them with confidence and enthusiasm. So, to young people, I would say that it's not necessary to be perfect, nor to always be winning. Professional life is a journey, with ups and downs. Feeling vulnerable, having doubts and fears is normal. What matters is learning to manage these emotions and to be resilient. And finally, I would like to say that it's okay to fail, too.”

I graduated in International Economics and Finance in 2009. With over 15 years of experience in Finance and Accounting boutique firms in Milan, I am a Chartered Accountant and Auditor. For over a decade, I have been actively involved in Milanese trade associations.

I served as a member of the Board of Directors of AIDC - the Italian Association of Chartered Accountants based in Milan. Initially, I worked as an Auditor before being appointed as a Board Member. Currently, I hold the position of President of the Youth Commission within the same association, where I continue to support young professionals in their endeavors.

My programs within the association also aim to promote a culture of gender equality. I have organized meetings on various tax issues, often with an interdisciplinary approach involving some of Italy's most prominent entrepreneurs

Transitioning from studying Psychology and Social Processes in Rome to Communication Theory and Technology in Milan, I am now a Digital Communication Specialist helping freelancers and SMEs with digital marketing strategies.

My connection with PWN Milan is personal; I joined for support and motivation and to share experiences. Through PWN, I've met incredible women who inspire me daily.

As Marketing Director, I aim to empower other women seeking transformative influence. I envision a world where organizations like PWN are obsolete, with gender equality and female empowerment as norms.

My motto: "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end!"

How have you evolved professionally beyond the technical skills you have acquired so far?
"I strongly believe that soft skills are equally, if not more, important as you climb the corporate ladder.Critical thinking, empathy, emotional intelligence, the capacity to adapt your attitude and your speech according to the people you are speaking with. Agile thinking and flexibility.One crucial skill, I think, it’s the capacity to federate people around a shared objectiveà which means lead other people’s actions (your team, your peers, higher managerial figures) towards this very objective.”

Why do you think you could be a role model for students and young professionals?
"I’m still relatively young 😉 and do remember all the efforts, difficulties, and steps back a junior may face. Moreover, I am an example of how much will, determination and hard work are crucial to get where you want. I have a humanist background, and the first years of my career were very hard. However, now I manage budgets, market shares, sell-out estimations and a team. I believe that very few things in life are impossible if you put energy, will and passion into it. Besides, I have never given up on my passions and my personal relations. A balance is not easy but it’s possible and, here again, to get it, it needs effort, energy and organizational skills. ”


Which experience, from your point of view, can be inspirational for young people?
"In general, I would suggest you leaving home early, travelling, reading, living abroad, practicing a sport.All these things oblige you to leave the comfort zone, to find solutions, to push your limits, to get in contact with other cultures, other ways of thinking, to open your mind.When it comes to the professional field, I would suggest observing your colleagues (especially senior ones): the way they speak, their behavior during meetings, their way to propose ideas, to respond to objections. You don’t have to imitate them. But you have pick and chose behaviors and attitudes that can fit you the most and that could work in helping you to achieve your objectives. Listening, observation and learning. Being proactive: you will be told it’s not possible, we don’t have this budget, it won’t be approved. Still try. Good ideas are welcome.”

Maria Rita Zimmaro is eCommerce DTC & CRM Manager for Shiseido Group. She built her career in luxury, fashion and beauty industries, with significant experience gained within international companies, including global partners like Shiseido and Luxottica and luxury brands like Prada, Miu Miu, Dolce&Gabbana, Issey Miyake and Narciso Rodriguez.


She’s passionate for creating narrative contents designed to engage, communicate and inspire but, at the same time, she’s an eBusiness developer for brand's properties, following financial targets and running new opportunities within the Digital environment. In 2014, Maria Rita started her professional path within Prada Group, in partnership with Luxottica for the Eyewear License Dept. Following the market evolution, she took part to the Digital Transformation of the Italian fashion brand Stefanel for almost 3 years, as Digital and Communication Manager.

Landing in Shiseido afterwards, Maria Rita enriched her skills blending the fashion and luxury experience with the beauty industry. In 2022 she was appointed as Digital Leader for the Italian market and in 2024 she joined the EMEA headquarter as eCommerce Manager for the region, based in Paris.

How have you evolved professionally beyond the technical skills you have acquired so far?
"With a lot of curiosity and passion. The secret is building a new role to embody at least each year, following the market evolution and sharpening the instinct. ”

Why do you think you could be a role model for students and young professionals?
"Because I’m an expert leader but still a young professional and always a student at heart as well. We can speak the same language yet with the firmness of experience on field.”


Which experience, from your point of view, can be inspirational for young people?
"Mistakes are the best experience to inspire, model and shape the professional path of everyone, from the youngest age to the highest peak of the career. ”