Could you tell us about your journey to UCLA?
My company transferred me from Italy to the US. I felt I had the unique opportunity to get an Executive MBA while in US. I found the Anderson program extremely attractive because of: 1) the innovative format of Friday plus Saturday every other week, which allowed our class to be formed with people farther away from just Los Angeles; and 2) the technology. It was only 1992, but we all got a Macintosh Portable (the first laptop Apple made), a UCLA e-mail address, and all class material in digital format.
Can you speak a little bit about your career and how it has progressed since graduating from UCLA?
My Anderson MBA gave me knowledge, self-confidence, but also left me with the desire to continue working internationally. Since graduation I moved to the UK, then Italy, then Atlanta GA, then Switzerland, then Italy, then Miami FL, and finally Switzerland. Every move coincided with taking more a senior position. I was Country CFO, Regional CFO, Global CFO. When not expanding the geographical responsibility, it was the business size that increased. Now I stopped full-time working and do consultancy.
How do you think UCLA prepares students to fill positions that have a global reach and influence?
It starts with the faculty, very internationally-minded. Hearing some of the professors was for me like being at a conference about international finance/affairs. Then the class. Executive programs tend to have more locals. We were only three foreigners but the entire class was well aware of what was happening outside the US and used it in discussions. Finally the content. A lot of business theories used to be developed/firstly adopted in the US. From there they then spread to other countries.
Are you involved in any international UCLA alumni groups or support networks?
Yes, I am in the Swiss and Italian Chapters and I have attended alumni meetings in both countries. It is particularly pleasant to have professors visiting and be able to spend time with them and the representative of the Alumni Office.