THE CONFERENCE

The Great Beauty: how excellence wins globally

The XV NOVA Conference “The Great Beauty: how excellence wins globally” aims at setting the ground for a transformation journey to revive the Italian role in the international arena. The main topics addressed are the importance for Italian companies to invest in continuous managerial education and the importance of supporting Italian excellences in their international growth. 

AGENDA

Friday, November 20 

Italian Cultural Institute in New York, "Make in Italy" Exhibition
Afternoon, 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.

Conversation: “Can Italian excellence win globally in high-tech? From the success of P101 in the US in the ‘60s to the new startups growing between Italy and New York”.

• Giorgio Van Straten, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute
• Maria Teresa Cometto, Journalist
• Alessandro Piol, Co-founder of AlphaPrime Ventures
• Brian Pallas, Founder of Opportunity Network

Consulate General of Italy
Evening, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Reception

Welcome Speech: Natalia Quintavalle, Italian Consul General in New York

Italian Aperitivo and presentation of the conference agenda

Saturday, November 21 

Theater of the Italian Academy at Columbia University

Morning, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Reception and breakfast

Conference opening: Arturo Petrozza, President of the Nova Association

Panel 1: Human Capital

• Fernando Napolitano, Founder and CEO at Italian Business & Investment Initiative
• Michael Nowlis, Dean of the Center for Corporate and Professional Education (CCPE), Stevens Institute of Technology
• Giovanni Pieraccioni, EVP, Global President Consumer Products, Revlon
• Francesco Barosi, Managing Director at Alix Partners
• Moderator: Andrea Bubula, Professor of Economics and Executive Director, International Finance and Economic Policy Concentration, Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs

Keynote speech: Domenico Siniscalco, Vice Chairman Morgan Stanley, former Italian Minister of Finance

Panel 2: Finance

• Claudio Giuliano, Founder and Managing Director at Innogest
• Mariafrancesca Carli, Managing Director at BDT & Company
• Monica Mandelli, Managing Director at KKR
• Federico Mennella, Managing Director at Lincoln International
• Moderator: Donna Hitscherich, Senior Lecturer in Business and Director of the Private Equity Program

Afternoon, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Keynote speech: Aldo Uva, CSO at Ferrero

Panel 3: Food and Beverage

• Aldo Uva, CSO at Ferrero
• Nicola Farinetti, CEO at Eataly
• Nicola Pianon, Senior Partner Consumer Goods at BCG
• Andrea Bertoncello, Managing Director at Idea Taste of Italy
• Jean-Pierre Comte, President of Barilla Americas
• Moderator: Andrea Fiano, Editor at Global Finance Magazine

Panel 4: Fashion and Luxury

• Paolo Riva, CEO at Diane Von Furstenberg
• Gaetano Sciuto, President at Fendi Americas
• Fabrizio Gamberini, CEO at Marcolin USA
• Moderator: Eugenia Paulicelli, Founder and Director at Fashion Studies, CUNY

Manhattan Penthouse of Fifth Avenue

Evening, 8 pm - 11 p.m.

The Great Gala Dinner - sponsored by the Boston Consulting Group.
During the dinner we will hear from: Nicola Pianon, Senior Partner and Managing Director, BCG

Sunday, November 22 

Columbia Business School

Morning, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Reception and breakfast

Round tables

Executives involved

• Fabio Pettenati, Vice President of Supply Chain at Barilla
• Massimiliano Catozzi, General Manager at Intesa Sanpaolo, New York
• Alex Saper, Managing Partner at Eataly

Interviews (on appointment) - Hosted by The Boston Consulting Group, Intesa San Paolo, Barilla, Alix Partners.

Presentation of initiatives

Successful case of Italian entrepreneurship: Brian Pallas, CEO and Founder at Opportunity Network

Conference wrap-up by the Organizers