LEAD Network
Italy Chapter

The LEAD Network Italy Chapter unites leaders in CPG and retail to advance women’s leadership and drive equity in the Italian business landscape.

About the Italy

The LEAD Network Italy Chapter emerges in 2024 as an alliance of leading consumer goods and retail companies, uniting their strengths to champion women’s leadership and create systemic change in the Italian business landscape.

In a market where women hold less than 20% of senior positions in retail and CPG, the chapter aims to create a more inclusive and equitable industry through five fundamental pillars:

  1. Advancing Women Leadership: encouraging international and SME adoption of inclusive policies, promoting women in leadership roles, and acknowledging women’s achievements to inspire others.
  2. Nurturing Collaborative Community: Creating a supportive environment through mentorship and networking opportunities where women learn from each other, with men playing a crucial role in fostering an inclusive workplace.
  3. Enhance Professional Development: Equipping women with essential skills, knowledge, and confidence through tailored professional development programs and workshops.
  4. Collaboration and Partnership: Amplifying impact through strategic collaboration with industry partners, organisations, and government bodies to drive systemic change.
  5. Make Inclusivity a Priority: Working to instil inclusivity as a core organisational value, creating welcoming workplaces where all individuals have equal opportunities to participate and succeed. These pillars collectively drive the chapter’s mission to transform Italy’s retail and consumer goods sector into a more equitable and inclusive industry.

Chapter Co-chairs

Latest Activity

Working together

Over 30 professionals from 15 leading companies actively collaborating in the chapter committee, breaking competitive barriers to drive cultural change across Italy’s CPG industry.

Ambitious vision

We’ve set our ambitious 2025 roadmap to establish LEAD Network as Italy’s driving force for gender equality in CPG, through strategic retail partnerships and enhanced cross-industry collaboration.

LEAD Network Italy Chapter Launch

The October 9th, 2024 launch event marked a watershed moment, bringing together top-tier leaders from Italy’s retail and manufacturing sectors, catalyzing rapid growth to 822 members and demonstrating the industry’s commitment to gender equality.

"I joined LEAD Network driven by my commitment to advancing gender equality and breaking stereotypes, a mission that aligns with GXO's values. I believe creating change requires promoting new role models across genders and transforming how society perceives women's roles in business and society. LEAD Network provides the ideal platform for this transformation through its global vision and international reach. By connecting companies committed to developing women leaders and implementing concrete policies to close the gender gap, it creates sustainable, structural change advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across Italy's FMCG and Retail sector."

Maria Elena Scolaro, Head of Legal Italy and Switzerland, GXO

Join the LEAD Network Italy Chapter

Become a Member for free and join this Chapter to attend events, expand your network, and learn from other DEI advocates.

What are LEAD Network Chapters?

LEAD Network Chapters are regional and functional DEI groups that connect CPG and retail professionals. Open to all, they offer opportunities to learn, lead, and grow through networking, inspiration, and community. Become a Member of LEAD Network and browse our available Chapters.