Leila is former Central Europe Regional Director for WAHL Clipper Corporation, a role in which she has got the chance to know businesses and consumers’ trends EU-wide. She combines a solid Sales & Marketing background with an interest for social innovation and social inclusion, which she nurtures as an active member of Social Economy programmes. She is one of Worldplaces’ – Verona first external ambassadors and has vouched support in sharing strategies to cultivate and build each local chapter’s network, with a focus on business engagement. She grew up in Latina, Rome, in a diverse community, being herself half Italian, half Austrian. An international manager with 20 years experience and a mother of two, Leila has recently experienced the pianful redundancy of her team as well as her own: she’s now willing more than ever to engage herself for a fair, accessible and sustainable labour market.
Who are you? Where are you from? Which project are you currently working on (private/ professional life)?
I am Leila Schrott, half Italian, and half Austrian. I am located in Verona. Currently I am Regional Manager South Europe for a German manufacturing company. I’m married and I have 2 kids, 9 and 7 years old.
In the last 20 years, I have been working for several international companies in Sales&Marketing positions, in large consumers industry, with special focus to Eu retailers.
The beauty of talent
What is your talent? How is this talent expressed in your current profession. My main talent is to create networking and building up relationships. This talent is useful for my job because I am surrounded by many people, colleagues, customers, providers coming from different cultures and mind sets. You need to be flexible and open-minded to fit.
Everyday – feeling good in private and at work
A cross-cutting theme of the Sense of Self campaign is about how women are in the workplace. We would like to know what the moments are and how they materialize where you are feeling good, in what ways and contexts, through what relationships, and with what emotions. Often this has to do with people and environments, rituals, and perhaps particular techniques. (From the coffee break; to the moment of confidence or support between colleagues, from confidence to the lunch break, etc.)
When and in what ways do you feel good at work?
I feel good when we do teamwork, when we are starting a new project, and we are in a brainstorming mood. I love it when we have time to know each other betters through a business trip or spare times. If you spend time with people you work with, then everything is easier cause you build up your trust first.
When and how do you feel beauty-ful at work?
I have never had to renounce my natural attitude to beauty and people. I feel full of beauty when I can be an added value to bring female intuition to something new. When a negotiation is succeeding because we generate a true listening and respect of opinions, needs and interests.
Beauty is…
Beauty for you is… You can say what comes to mind, even what makes you feel good at work, what makes you unique at work.
Where do you find beauty at work?
Beauty for me is coming out from a process, from a transformation. It is from pain to joy, it is from fail to success, it is from “broken” to fixed. Beauty is naturally coming when we do accept ourselves, our limits and our strengths to accept the other’s limits and specifics. It is almost 20 years I am working, basically in international environments, and I find beauty when people are passioned to same mission, project, topics… when you really see all talents at work building up a sense of belonging. You enjoy it when you feel like you are a gift for your boss, your colleagues, your customers and you treat the others as a gift for you. That can generate an outstanding value in all departments and processes.
Sense of self for me means…
We are not really educated to listen to ourselves, especially my generation. Now it is more common to listen to meditation, mindfulness and all such practices. My sense of self is linked to relationships, even with myself. If I am close to me and I am loyal to who I am, then I can be a fruitful bridge to others.
When I do talk to me in a polite and sweet way, to encourage me instead of pushing me (I do talk to me as I would have talked to my kids) here comes my sense of self.
I can be a generative person, able to build up impossible results and resilient especially in hard times. I can drive teams and people towards a common target, highlighting the common background and values to define an open mindset.
Besides markets, categories, products, processes, productive business is made by human beings, and we should be educated when children to build up positive relationships.
“BE PROTAGONIST, BE A LEADER! IF YOU ARE AN ASSISTANT, A SPECIALIST, OR A MANAGER, IN ANY CASE PART OF A PROCESS OR A TEAM, STAND OUT WITH YOUR IDEAS, WITH YOUR TALENT. BRING YOUR PASSION AND DEDICATION TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING. FIND A PERSON YOU CAN CONNECT WITH AND MAKE YOUR SMALL REVOLUTION. DON’T WAIT FOR PEOPLE ASKING TO DO OR SAYING SOMETHING, ACT AS A LEADER, ACT AS THE OWNER OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING. STAND OUT!”
Luisa Ferreira is the Head of the Institute’s Social Programme where she notably created and developed the Social Innovation Tournament, a reference in the European Innovation ecosystem. She started at the Institute in 2012 and was responsible for the development and management of the Knowledge and Social Programmes. She can help the Worldplaces project by identifying and involving new partners, due to the expertise, credibility and wide network she has built by working on the different projects that she supports.
Who are you? Where are you from? Which project are you currently working on (private/ professional life)?
I am a believer in magic. An economist by training. A humanist. I am from Lisbon, Portugal. But I would describe myself as a world citizen: I’ve lived more than half of my life in different countries — in the US, France and Luxembourg other than Portugal— and have always worked in a diverse, multicultural international context. I’m also a mum of two young adults.
What do I do for living? I’m living my dream! Helping impact-driven entrepreneurs make a better world for all, currently as Head of Social at the EIB Institute, the philanthropic arm of the European Investment Bank. 11 years ago we launched the SIT, the Social Innovation Tournament. Our aim was to find the best social, environmental and ethical innovators in Europe, to create a community of them: the SIT Alumni. I like to say they are my second family
The beauty of talent
What is your talent? How is this talent expressed in your current profession.
I like to think that, as an economist, I am good at making things worth their while. At work, this translates into achieving a lot with very modest resources. Achievements like holding successful SITs and taking care of the SIT Alumni, launching financial education programmes in different countries, as well as other programmes that teach useful life skills (mainly to children). But my biggest talent is knowing that I’m not all that skilled at many (most 😊) things, so I surround myself with people who are. I motivate them, let them shine, so that together we can — I believe — achieve a lot.
That is why I enjoy opera… when sung by others!
Everyday – feeling good in private and at work
A cross-cutting theme of the Sense of Self campaign is about how women are in the workplace. We would like to know what the moments are and how they materialize where you are feeling good, in what ways and contexts, through what relationships, and with what emotions. Often this has to do with people and environments, rituals, and perhaps particular techniques. (From the coffee break; to the moment of confidence or support between colleagues, from confidence to the lunch break, etc.)
When and in what ways do you feel good at work?
I feel good when I am using my time efficiently and achieving results. That is also why I dislike long meetings and sharing information just for the sake of sharing. I don’t like to waste time! I feel great being surrounded by a team who are able to use their strengths. I love to see them thriving, growing and learning. I love to feel surrounded by the “young” (at heart) entrepreneurs with whom I work every day: They are full of dreams to make the world a better place, and they also have the energy to make that happen. I enjoy working with them, sharing my experience with them and learning from them. It’s energising! And I also love our occasional work walks in the forest with my friends and colleagues (we should all certainly take more of those)!
When and how do you feel beauty-ful at work?
If feeling beautiful at work means making the world more beautiful and helping others be better people through our work, then I often do. For example, when a SIT Alum that we mentor earns an accolade. This year, several of our SIT Alumni received an award or distinction! Or when we hear from children who receive financial education through us, that their families are also interested in what they’re learning, and have even learned from their children how to use money more effectively. When I listen to the ideas from children that participate in the “Vamos Mudar o Mundo” programme. Or when another country approaches us to bring one of our innovative life skills programmes to them too! Then the world becomes more beautiful, and me with it.😊
Beauty is… Beauty for you is… You can say what comes to mind, even what makes you feel good at work, what makes you unique at work. It may sound cliché, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For me, beauty is everywhere! It is in discovering new countries and cultures, spending time with loved ones, taking a walk in the forest, cooking and sharing a good meal with family and friends… and even writing a great email on a tricky matter. It’s working every day with people who want to change things for the better, and who make me feel a part of their journey 😊.
Where do you find beauty at work? In the people, in their minds! Human creativity and ingenuity are always awe-inspiring. During team brainstorming sessions, we sometimes come up with amazing ideas. You cannot imagine how much I learn every day just by working with great human beings.
Sense of self for me means… What’s your Sense of Self? I don’t know if I can explain it well. But it’s about growth. It’s about learning. About becoming a better, more compassionate human — someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously and is kind to others. It requires a lot of self-reflection and correction. Quiet activities, such as long walks, doing crafts or cooking alone, help with this. Sense of self for me means…
DO NOT FORGET TO BE GRATEFUL — FOR EVERYTHING YOU ALREADY HAVE! NEVER STOP LEARNING AND STRIVING TO LEARN. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: “IF WE MUST, WE CAN.”
Blessing Okoedion, feminist activist, survivor of human trafficking and founder of the “Weavers of hope” organization, Italy Blessing has an extensive knowledge and lived experience of migrant women integration in Europe. In addition, she has great experience of networking at grassroot level and engaging with local and European stakeholders. She is very close to our network and her organization is in the process of becoming our member. We have worked with her multiple times and she shows great professionalism, analysis and quality of work. In addition, she established and manages a migrant woman / survivors of human trafficking led organization which enables her to represent the view of the most marginalized of the women we want to reach. She is an adept of the “last girl first approach”, a perspective that fits the ethic of the Worldplaces project.
Who are you? Where are you from? Which project are you currently working on (private/ professional life)? OK. My name is Blessing Okoedion, and I’m from Nigeria. Uh, I am. I came to Italy in 2013, and before I came, I had already graduated in Computer Science. However, my degree wasn’t recognized in Italy due to non-bilateral agreements. So, I started from scratch, including learning Italian and completing secondary school specifications. I eventually studied political science and international relations, graduating last year. I started working on this project in 2018, focusing on the reintegration of human trafficking survivors and rescuing victims, particularly women who have experienced trafficking.
The beauty of talent What is your talent? How is this talent expressed in your current profession. My talent is writing. I believe writing is a powerful tool—it’s not just a weapon but a constructive force that can liberate. With words, we can bring invisible stories to light, share personal experiences, and reshape people’s perceptions.
Everyday – feeling good in private and at work A cross-cutting theme of the Sense of Self campaign is about how women are in the workplace. We would like to know what the moments are and how they materialize where you are feeling good, in what ways and contexts, through what relationships, and with what emotions. Often this has to do with people and environments, rituals, and perhaps particular techniques. (From the coffee break; to the moment of confidence or support between colleagues, from confidence to the lunch break, etc.)
When and how do you feel beauty-ful at work? II feel beautiful at work when I see the survivors succeeding, realizing their dreams, and restoring their dignity. The joy I feel in those moments is unparalleled. The work we do is not just about the individual but about changing societal perceptions and encouraging others facing difficulties.
Beauty is… Beauty for you is… You can say what comes to mind, even what makes you feel good at work, what makes you unique at work. Beauty, for me, is about arranging and creating a positive environment. When I see the space we’ve created for survivors and the impact it has on them, that’s when I feel beautiful. It’s like lifting a weight off their shoulders and witnessing their transformation.
Sense of self for me means… What’s your Sense of Self? My sense of self is rooted in my intuition, determination, and belief in my abilities. I don’t dwell on external opinions. I believe in my ideology, welcome constructive criticism, but discard anything that may hinder my progress. I encourage others to believe in themselves and not wait for external validation.
“IN MY FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING, I STAND AGAINST SELF-STIGMATIZATION. CALLING ONESELF A VICTIM IS LIKE TRUNCATING YOUR OWN LIFE JOURNEY. WE FIGHT AGAINST TRAFFICKING AND DISREGARD SOCIAL STIGMATIZATION BECAUSE IT IS INCONSEQUENTIAL. EVERY SURVIVOR SHOULD FOCUS ON LIBERATION, NOT SOCIETAL JUDGMENT.”
Prof. Bolzani is the project manager of Mig.En.Cube, an Erasmus+ program of which ImpactHub EU is a partner, on the definition of new approaches for entrepreneurial support to migrant businesses..
www.unibo.it/sitoweb/daniela.bolzani
Who are you? Where are you from? Which project are you currently working on (private/ professional life)? My name is Daniela Bolzani. I am presently an associate professor in management at the Department of Management at the University of Bologna. I teach several courses in the domain of business planning and corporate strategy. My domain of expertise in terms of academic research is in the domain of migrant entrepreneurship. For the past ten years or so, I’ve been studying issues concerning how diverse entrepreneurs from a cultural, racial, or ethnic standpoint employ different strategies and perceive business opportunities. They are more or less involved and embedded in local entrepreneurial ecosystems. I just finished a 30-month project dedicated to the topic of incubation for migrant entrepreneurs, where we studied how entrepreneurial ecosystems support and include them through fair processes, adequate communication styles, and dedicated support.
The beauty of talent What is your talent? How is this talent expressed in your current profession. Well, I think that one of my talents, which has always characterized my personality, is persistence. I’ve been persistent and resilient throughout my life. I have high expectations from myself and strive to achieve the best in everything I do. Sometimes, putting too much effort into everything can be challenging, but being persistent has allowed me to reach many things in life without getting upset over setbacks and celebrating the small steps I’ve achieved.
Everyday – feeling good in private and at work A cross-cutting theme of the Sense of Self campaign is about how women are in the workplace. We would like to know what the moments are and how they materialize where you are feeling good, in what ways and contexts, through what relationships, and with what emotions. Often this has to do with people and environments, rituals, and perhaps particular techniques. (From the coffee break; to the moment of confidence or support between colleagues, from confidence to the lunch break, etc.)
When and in what ways do you feel good at work? I feel good at work when there’s a relational component involved, such as leading a vision or supporting a thought that people appreciate. This happens when I’m teaching and see the class engaged, participating, and interacting. Feeling effective and delivering something useful or inspiring gives me a sense of pride and usefulness. As an academic, having the opportunity to engage in high-level theoretical conversations and share knowledge during conferences is also something that makes me feel good at work.
When and how do you feel beauty-ful at work? Beauty at work, for me, is about the meaningfulness of what I do. It’s about being useful to society and someone else. I find beauty in inspiring others through my thoughts and visions, especially in scientific discussions and presentations at conferences. However, I also reflect on the lack of beautiful places in my daily life, which is something I regret. Beauty has the capacity to inspire, and I believe it should be a right for people.
Where do you find beauty at work? Beauty at work, for me, is about the meaningfulness of what I do. It’s about being useful to society and someone else. I find beauty in inspiring others through my thoughts and visions, especially in scientific discussions and presentations at conferences. However, I also reflect on the lack of beautiful places in my daily life, which is something I regret. Beauty has the capacity to inspire, and I believe it should be a right for people.
Sense of self for me means… What’s your Sense of Self? IMy sense of self is tied to being an achiever. I always want to achieve something, even though I may not always know what that is. I have a curious nature, and curiosity is a driving force for me. I’ve been told that I do too much, but I enjoy exploring and experimenting. My sense of self is, in a way, tied to living life to the fullest and embracing new experiences.
VALUING OUR OWN STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES THROUGH TIME IT’S ABOUT RECOGNIZING AND APPRECIATING OUR PERSONAL GROWTH AND EXPERIENCES.
Eva Kefalogianni, a professional with 24 years of experience in the financial sector in Greece and abroad, has an educational background in Business Administration, with major in Management and Organisational Behaviour, and she, also, holds an Executive MBA. The majority of her work experience is in Banking, with a focus on starting up, re-engineering and optimising the Strategic Operations, whereas she has developed excellent team management skills (managing currently 700 employees with high diversity) in business operations.
Who are you? Where are you from? Which project are you currently working on (private/ professional life)? I am a professional in the financial sector with 25 years of experience. I started working immediately after my bachelor’s degree and after some years I decided to take an MBA course, while working, (executive MBA). Currently, I am working for an international company with presence in Greece with a large span of operations where I am in charge, managing more than 500 people.
The beauty of talent What is your talent? How is this talent expressed in your current profession. Due to my experience in managing large teams my talent is in seeing and bringing out the best of every employee.
Everyday – feeling good in private and at work A cross-cutting theme of the Sense of Self campaign is about how women are in the workplace. We would like to know what the moments are and how they materialize where you are feeling good, in what ways and contexts, through what relationships, and with what emotions. Often this has to do with people and environments, rituals, and perhaps particular techniques. (From the coffee break; to the moment of confidence or support between colleagues, from confidence to the lunch break, etc.)
When and how do you feel beauty-ful at work? If feeling beautiful at work means making the world more beautiful and helping others be better people through our work, then I often do. For example, when a SIT Alum that we mentor earns an accolade. This year, several of our SIT Alumni received an award or distinction! Or when we hear from children who receive financial education through us, that their families are also interested in what they’re learning, and have even learned from their children how to use money more effectively. When I listen to the ideas from children that participate in the “Vamos Mudar o Mundo” programme. Or when another country approaches us to bring one of our innovative life skills programmes to them too! Then the world becomes more beautiful, and me with it.😊
Beauty is… Beauty for you is… You can say what comes to mind, even what makes you feel good at work, what makes you unique at work.
Where do you find beauty at work? When we deliver and when we think out of the box in order to produce the desired outcome!
Sense of self for me means… What’s your Sense of Self? Being honest, sincere and trust worthy by all team members.
IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO ACHIEVE A GOAL, THEN OBSTACLES BECOME ONLY CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME!