In Spring 2026, JCU's Center for Career Services launched the Women in Leadership Program, offering 22 students a rare opportunity: shadowing senior female leaders across organizations in Rome. Spanning fields from sustainability to finance and luxury hospitality, the program gave students direct access to the professional world, and the women shaping it.
“I wanted to go out of my comfort zone and learn in a real-world setting. Looking back, I can confidently say that through this experience I learned more about the value and application of theory than in any other class I have taken,” student Martina Atanasova said.
The first shadowing experience took place at Aon Italia, the Italian subsidiary of the global firm specializing in risk management and human capital, where a student shadowed Olga Pagliaroli, Head of Talent Solutions. The day went beyond observation: she worked side-by-side with a team of psychologists and contributed feedback on company projects, drawing directly on her academic background.
At Ecolab, a global leader in food and water safety, hygiene, and infection prevention serving more than 40 industries, one student shadowed Manuela Bianchi, Senior Communications Manager. In addition to offering a close look at communications strategy within a mission-driven international organization, Bianchi introduced her guest to colleagues across three departments, giving the student a broader insight into how the company operates as a whole.
Two JCU students visited the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), where Tiziana Galloni, Head of the Cash Management and Back Office Unit in the Treasury Division, introduced them to the complexities of international finance. They explored how global capital is deployed to strengthen agriculture, rural economies, and food systems across the developing world, and how an institution of this scale navigates complex cross-border transactions, adapts through digitalization, and continues operating during times of crisis.
The largest group of the program (13 students) spent the day at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with Tacko Ndiaye, Gender Team Leader. The timing could not have been more fitting, as the United Nations designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing the critical role women play across global agrifood systems. Students witnessed firsthand how gender mainstreaming is integrated into FAO's policies, programs, and accountability systems.
Innovation took center stage at Translated, where three students shadowed Founder and Chairwoman Isabelle Andrieu. Created with the mission to help people communicate across languages, Translated has grown into a leader in AI-driven language solutions, and home to one the world's largest network of professional translators. Its clients include Airbnb, the European Commission, Asana, and Glovo. What impressed students, however, was the company's philosophy: the most powerful technology is built to extend human capability, not replace it.
Finally, two students explored the world of luxury hospitality with Maria Cristina Di Flaviano, Head of Brand, Marketing & CRM at Pellicano Hotels, the group behind three renowned properties in Italy: Hotel Il Pellicano, La Posta Vecchia Hotel and Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa. Through exposure to brand strategy, visual identity, and campaign execution, they discovered what it takes to maintain a luxury brand's identity, as well as the discipline, consistency, and the creative judgment behind every detail.
“This experience further strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in marketing within the hospitality industry and motivated me to continue developing my skills and professional network,” shared student Matilde Pederzani.
Six shadowing experiences, six organizations, and one outcome: students left not only better informed, but also more certain of where they are headed and what kind of professionals they want to become.
For more information about the Women in Leadership Program and other experiential learning opportunities at JCU, visit the Center for Career Services.
