Connections
Stories and ideas

Serena Ricci, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)

Business schools of tomorrow with roots in Venice

After graduating in Business Administration at Ca’ Foscari and helping to create and grow the Reimagine Education Awards & Conference, Serena Ricci has built a career at the intersection of storytelling, growth strategy, data, and international partnerships. Today, she is Growth Marketing Manager at QS, a global provider of analytics and services for higher education, best known for the QS World University Rankings as well as for platforms and events that connect students and universities worldwide.

Her path, further enriched by experiences with UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) and by her role on the Learning Committee of OpenUK—the non-profit representing the UK open technology ecosystem (open source software, open data, open hardware) — shows how a management education in Venice can become a springboard to a global career. Looking to the future of business schools, Serena brings with her a perspective that blends quantitative skills, international culture, and a constant focus on social impact and sustainability.

Giovanni Costa, Università degli Studi di Padova

Shaping conscious managers in a changing world

Giovanni Costa, Professor Emeritus of Business Strategy and Organization at the University of Padua, is one of the most influential figures in Italy’s economic and managerial culture. Over a long academic career, he has taught at SDA Bocconi, CUOA Vicenza, ESSEC Business School in Paris, and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, always combining teaching, research, and engagement with businesses. Through this work, he has significantly contributed to the development of strategic thinking in Italy and to the education of generations of entrepreneurs and managers.
He served as Vice-Rector for Relations with Businesses and Financial Institutions at the University of Padua and has held important governance roles, including Vice President of the Management Board of Intesa Sanpaolo and President of the Cassa di Risparmio del Veneto.
A member of prestigious academic institutions such as the Galileiana and Olimpica Academies, and an honorary member of AIDEA (the Italian Academy of Management), he is also a columnist for Corriere del Veneto, the regional edition of Corriere della Sera. Professor Costa was one of the key figures behind the founding of the Business and Management program in Venice, which today continues to evolve through the Venice School of Management.

Giorgio Soffiato, Marketing Arena

Marketing as culture, not cult

Founder and managing director of the digital marketing agency “Marketing Arena,” Giorgio Soffiato has built his professional path on the combination of academic rigor and strategic vision. After graduating in management in Venice, he consolidated a career spanning business and academia, contributing as adjunct professor at the Venice School of Management and the University of Padua. Furthermore, as adjunct professor, he teaches at Trinity College Dublin and SDA Bocconi. Together with Professors Cinzia Colapinto and Vladi Finotto, he manages the B2B Marketing Observatory [ITA] of the Venice School of Management, which captures the digital transformation and the adoption of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in B2B companies. On June 5, 2025, at the Santa Margherita – E. Severino Auditorium of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, the results of the Observatory were shared in an event titled “Deliver Growth – The Solitude of the Marketing Manager,” during which managers and professionals discussed insights and best practices.

Rita Samiolo, King’s College London

The Subtle Art of Questioning Accounting to Understand Society

Rita Samiolo is an alumna who graduated in Business Administration from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. After completing her degree, she moved abroad, where she earned a PhD in Accounting from the London School of Economics and Political Science. There, she received interdisciplinary training that explores accounting, finance, and economic calculation through a socio-political lens, engaging with economic sociology, political economy, and organization studies. She has worked at the London School of Economics, the University of Innsbruck, and is currently Senior Lecturer and Co-Director of the FinWork Futures Research Centre at King’s College London.
In this interview, she retraces the key steps of her academic journey, reflects on the “society of numbers,” shares the challenges she has faced, and offers insight into the value of critical and human-centered knowledge.

Andrea Zanon, Prospinity

From a Management degree in Venice to the Silicon Valley - the journey of a young entrepreneur driving fintech innovation

Andrea Zanon is a young entrepreneur from Venice who is already making his mark in the innovation landscape. He is the co-founder of Prospinity, a fintech startup based in Silicon Valley that recently closed a $2 million funding round. Andrea has built an outstanding academic and professional path. Valedictorian of the Economics and Management programme in Venice, he continued his studies at prestigious institutions such as the University of St. Gallen and the Chicago Booth School of Business, enriching his education with experiences at global companies like Google. Alongside this, he founded a YouTube channel with over 16,000 subscribers and Polo, a platform dedicated to career guidance for university students.
In this interview, Andrea shares the origins of Prospinity, his approach to entrepreneurship, and the crucial role that universities can play in nurturing the talent and vision of the next generation.

Agnese De Rossi, Alajmo Group

Turning a Management degree into a career in food marketing

Agnese De Rossi is a Marketing Manager with solid experience in the food sector. She has built her career by combining strategy, creativity, and deep market knowledge. From brand management to market research, from distribution to event planning, her attention to detail has led her to take on increasingly responsible roles in prestigious companies, including Cameo and the Alajmo Group, a benchmark in Italian fine dining.
In this interview, Agnese shares how her academic journey in Management at Ca’ Foscari influenced her professional choices, which skills proved most valuable in the workplace, and what advice she would give to those dreaming of a career in food marketing. A journey through innovation, sustainability, and branding strategies in a constantly evolving and opportunity-rich sector.

Alessandro Vecchiato, Saint Laurent

From Management student to luxury professional in Paris

Alessandro Vecchiato is a Management alumnus whose background blends strategic vision with creativity. After completing his studies in Management between Ca’ Foscari University and ESCP Europe, he launched a brilliant career in the luxury sector, working with iconic brands such as Chanel, Céline, Armani, and Saint Laurent.
In this interview, Alessandro shares his journey between Italy and France, the challenges he faced transitioning to an international market, and his advice for young graduates eager to break into this exclusive and highly competitive industry.

Arianna Mazzon, Venezia FC

Creating value through partnerships that connect territory, sport, and culture - the story of a partnership manager at Venezia FC

Arianna Mazzon is the Partnership Manager at Venezia FC, where since 2021 she has been responsible for developing activation strategies for the club’s partners and managing external relations. In her role, she oversees collaborations with companies and institutions across various sectors, including prominent cultural partnerships such as those with La Biennale di Venezia, the Civic Museums, Save Venice, and Ocean Space—working on projects that interweave sport and culture.
Previously, she gained experience at Diadora, working on public relations and trade marketing, and at La Biennale di Venezia during the 2019 Art Exhibition.
Arianna holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Communication from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. She has a particular passion for art, culture, and travel—interests that positively influence her strategic approach.

Lucia Marcuzzo, Levi Strauss & Co

Fom the Venetian lagoon to leading Levi Strauss & Co.

Lucia Marcuzzo, Senior Vice President & Managing Director for Europe at Levi Strauss & Co. since 2024, is a success story that perfectly embodies the balance between local roots and global ambition. From her academic training in Business Administration in Venice to leading Levi Strauss & Co.’s European operations, her journey is a prime example of how passion, determination, and an inclusive vision can shape an extraordinary career. With a leadership style inspired by sustainability and diversity, Lucia is redefining how the fashion retail sector addresses the challenges of the future.

The future of management and the crucial role of creativity

The experience of three successful VSM Alumni

In a constantly evolving business landscape, the role of managers has transformed far beyond the simple coordination of resources and processes. Today, creativity is an essential skill for addressing increasingly complex global market challenges and effectively driving change. On October 17, 2024, three alumni of the Venice School of Management spoke at the event “Artificiale: Managerial Intelligence and Artistic Thinking” – Future of Management 2024, sharing their experiences on how creativity has become a foundational pillar in their professional lives: Marco Benvegnù, Head of Corporate Brand Management at Arper SPA; Massimiliano Mirabella, Head of Marketing and DTC at SIDI Sport; and Cinzia Scarbolo, Head of Omnichannel, Trade Marketing & Digital Retail at Vodafone.