BOARD MEMBER INTERVIEWS
Chiara Baldassarre
A strategy and finance executive with over a decade of experience, Chiara Baldassarre has built a career transforming big ideas into value and growth for companies in tech, fintech, and payments. Currently, she leads portfolio management and strategic planning for Visa Direct at Visa. Previously, she headed strategy at Tigo Money, where she played a key role in evolving the business from an offline wallet to a fully digital platform serving customers across Latin America. Chiara began her career in private equity advisory at EY and holds a business degree from Bocconi University, complemented by fintech coursework at Wharton. Fluent in four languages, she has lived and worked across Europe, the U.S., and Asia.
Q: What is a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
When at university, I was part of the Pellicani sport team, playing soccer in Serie D. One day we played against the daughter of a famous player of Inter Milan. Also, I am trained to be an improv comedian in Florida. For years I performed frequently in a local theatre (Just the Funny Theatre) and I am still a proud cast member, despite lately work commitments are bringing me off the stage more often.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that you live by?
I really like Danzel Washingons quote about philanthropy “At the end it’s not about what you have or even what you have accomplished. It is about who you have lifted up, who you have made better. It is about what you have given back” or as you say in Bocconi it is about “giving forward”. My favorite mantra is “A day without laughter is a lost day” a famous quote from Charlie Chaplin. I really live by that.
Q: What does philantrophy mean to you, and how does it guide your role on the board and beyond?
Philanthropy, for me, is the art of turning success into significance by reinvesting it in the communities that shaped you. I grew up in a small town in Abruzzo and lost my father — and our family’s main income — when I was eleven. Because of philanthropic scholarships, I could attend Bocconi and chart a very different path. That’s why I’m driven to make sure the next kid in my situation meets opportunity, not limitation: the kind of opportunity that lets them choose their education based on curiosity, not on cost, and see mentors who look like them succeeding on a global stage.
Q: What Inspired you to Join the board of Friends of Bocconi and how long have you been a board member?
I was recently appointed as a board member of Friends of Bocconi in February 2025. The desire to give forward fueled my desire to be part of the Friends of Bocconi mission. Having led Bocconi Alumni Community in Miami for the 6 years prior, i felt the need to engage with the community at a different level and see how we can multiply impact by collaborating and coordinating efforts across multiple locations in the US. I am proud to be one of the first board members of the FoB outside NY, and definitely the first from Miami. With this I hope to expand the work that FoB has been doing in NY and US widely, to Florida and Miami in particular.
Q: How do you see the organization growing in the next few years?
With the new Board set up, I believe the organization has potential to multiply the impact and expand it across the US. My personal feeling is that the organization will overachieve on its target to reach fundraise through the American Fund. By 2030, Friends of Bocconi should be the premier trans-atlantic philanthropic bridge for Italian higher education—financially robust, mission-driven, and large enough to ensure that no high-potential student declines Bocconi for economic reasons, while also powering research that shapes business and policy on both sides of the ocean.
Julka Villa
A senior marketing executive and brand strategist with over 20 years of international experience, Julka Villa has built, relaunched, and scaled iconic lifestyle and legacy brands across the globe. Most recently, she served as the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Campari Group. With a Master’s degree in Economics and a career spanning the beverage, luxury, and premium consumer goods sectors, Julka brings deep expertise in brand positioning, global go-to-market strategies, and leading cross-cultural teams to drive growth and creative excellence.
Q: What is a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
A fun fact about me is that I have a wide range of interests that might seem quite different from one another, except for the intimate connection I feel with each of them. I devour thrillers and love binge-watching suspense series from the Nordics. At the same time, I’m passionate about medieval instrumental music. I also have a deep love for South America, especially Brazil, where I lived for several years. I’m truly enamored with the country, its people, culture, and cuisine. I can wholeheartedly confirm the saying: “Você pode sair do Brasil, mas o Brasil não sai de você” — you can leave Brazil, but Brazil never leaves you. That’s exactly how it is for me!
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that you live by?
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t” by Eleonor Roosevelt. This quote reminds me that in leadership and life, you can’t please everyone — and that conviction, integrity, and thoughtful action are more important than universal approval. It’s a reminder to move forward with courage, even in the face of ambiguity or judgment.
Q: What does philantrophy mean to you, and how does it guide your role on the board and beyond?
To me, philanthropy is about giving back with intention, sense of purpose and in full alignment with my values, leveraging my resources, experience, and network to create lasting impact. Well beyond the financial aspect, it is about time, mentorship, and strategic thinking. As a Board Member of Friends of Bocconi, philanthropy means supporting the next generation of global talent and fostering access to world-class education that our Alma Mater has been providing since the last century. It’s a way to invest in ideas, people, and such an institution with the power to shape the future for the better. I would like this spirit to guide my contribution on the board — helping to build bridges between donors, alumni, and the university — and also enrich my broader professional and personal values
Q: What Inspired you to Join the board of Friends of Bocconi and how long have you been a board member?
I joined the Board of Friends of Bocconi in February 2025, motivated by a deep sense of gratitude and connection to the university that played a pivotal role in shaping both my education and career. Bocconi instilled in me not only academic rigor, but also a global mindset, a strong professional foundation, helping me shaping my vision about the future. My decision was also encouraged by the respect I held for several board members I had come to know prior to joining — individuals whose commitment and integrity I valued. It’s an honor to contribute to support Bocconi in the United States, country where I live and operate.
Q: How do you see the organization growing in the next few years?
I see Friends of Bocconi continuing to grow as a dynamic platform for international engagement, philanthropy, and community-building around the values of academic excellence and societal impact that Bocconi holds dear. In the coming years, I believe the organization can deepen its role as a bridge between Bocconi and its awareness and footprint in the US by expanding alumni involvement, strengthening partnerships with business and cultural institutions, and increasing support for scholarships.