Meet Emanuela Palazzani, Founder & CEO of Atman Advisory, dedicated to sustainability and ethical leadership. She shares her journey from a family-owned industrial company to founding her own ventures, emphasising hard work, strategic vision, and integrity. As a WIL Board Member, she highlights her role in supporting young leaders and shares her guiding motto from Seneca, inspiring proactive and courageous leadership.

Interviewed by Meike Schneiders

You have been a CEO for more than 20 years. What are the lessons and memories from earlier times that have stayed with you and that guide you in leading your company?

As I reflect on my journey of more than 30 years, first in my family-owned industrial company and then in the company I founded and own, I am reminded of several key lessons and cherished memories that have profoundly influenced my approach to leadership.

The value of hard work and perseverance: Starting in the marketing department and then moving into strategic planning, I quickly learned that success is built on dedication and perseverance. I remember the long hours spent understanding the needs of our customers and stakeholders, embracing technological advances, and weathering economic downturns. This experience taught me that hard work, coupled with resilience, is essential to achieving long-term goals.

Strategic vision and execution: My daily involvement in strategic planning reinforced the importance of having a clear vision and meticulously executing strategies. As a business leader, you must ensure that your goals are aligned with your long-term objectives, while being pragmatic and adaptable in your approach.

Integrity and Ethical Leadership: Becoming an entrepreneur, I saw firsthand the importance of conducting business with integrity and ethical principles. This legacy of trust and honesty continues to guide my decisions and interactions, fostering a culture of transparency and respect.

Hard work, coupled with resilience, is essential to achieving long-term goals.

Sustainability, both economic and environmental, has been a driving force in your career. Where does this commitment come from and how do you embed it in your leadership role at Atman Advisory? 

Sustainability, both economic and environmental, has been a guiding principle throughout my career and remains a cornerstone of my leadership approach.

In June 2009, thanks to a highly innovative faucet production that has been put in place since 2006 and that provides water saving results, my company was awarded the renovation of the G8 meeting headquarters in L'Aquila, Italy, as ESG policy was one of the main topics of the G8 summit.

As a leader in the consulting sector, I now guide other organisations in adopting sustainable practices, seeking the best solutions for financing their investments in renewable energy and other ESG requirements to be compliant in terms of diversity and inclusion, community engagement and partnerships, and legacy and future vision.

In summary, my commitment to sustainability is both a personal passion and a professional obligation. As a woman leader and WIL Board member, I am also committed to empowering young leaders through the WIL Talent Pool programme, emphasising that inclusive leadership is essential to sustainable and long-term success.

As a woman leader and WIL Board member, I am also committed to empowering young leaders through the WIL Talent Pool programme, emphasising that inclusive leadership is essential to sustainable and long-term success.

In the past, you have dedicated yourself to creating and enabling environmentally friendly luxury products. This sounds like a contradiction to many people. How can we create high quality and exclusive products and services and still do it in harmony with planetary boundaries?

The idea of creating eco-friendly luxury products often seems contradictory, but it is not only possible, it is essential for the future of both the luxury industry and our planet. My commitment to this goal is rooted in the belief that high quality, exclusive products and services can and should be produced in harmony with our environmental limits.

Consumers today are increasingly aware of the environmental and social impact of their purchases. By providing transparency and traceability, luxury brands can build trust and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. This includes clear communication about the origin of materials, the environmental practices of suppliers, and the entire lifecycle of the product. Certifications and eco-labels can also play a role in assuring consumers of the product's sustainability credentials.

Embracing circular economy principles is another way to align luxury products with environmental sustainability. This includes designing products for durability, repairability and recyclability, as well as implementing take-back programmes and encouraging the resale or recycling of used products. By closing the loop, luxury brands can reduce waste and resource consumption while providing value to their customers.

In conclusion, creating high-quality, exclusive products in harmony with planetary boundaries is not only possible, but necessary for the future of the luxury industry. By integrating sustainability into every aspect of the product lifecycle-from sourcing and design to manufacturing and consumer education, we can offer products that meet the highest standards of luxury while respecting and preserving our environment. This approach not only enhances the value of luxury products, but also meets the growing demand for responsible and sustainable luxury from consumers around the world.

Creating high-quality, exclusive products in harmony with planetary boundaries is not only possible, but necessary for the future of the luxury industry.

You are a strong believer that digitalisation is a driving force for economic development and progress. What in your view is one step towards a more digital business world that so many leaders and companies are missing?

Digitalisation is indeed a powerful catalyst for economic development and progress, offering countless opportunities for innovation, efficiency and growth. However, a critical step that many leaders and companies often overlook is the importance of fostering a digital culture within their organisations.

Embracing digitalisation isn't just about implementing the latest technologies; it's about creating an environment where digital thinking and behaviors are ingrained in the company's DNA. This includes cultivating a mindset that values agility, continuous learning, and collaboration across all levels of the organisation.

A digital culture encourages experimentation and embraces the possibility of failure as a learning opportunity. Leaders should empower their teams to try new ideas and approaches without fear of repercussions. This can be achieved by fostering an environment where innovation is celebrated and iterative processes are the norm. Providing the right tools, resources, and support for experimentation is critical to fostering a culture of innovation.

Embracing digitalisation isn't just about implementing the latest technologies; it's about creating an environment where digital thinking and behaviors are ingrained in the company's DNA.

You have been a member of the WIL Board of Directors since 2014, so there must have been many memorable moments. What was your favourite WIL moment?

Thank you for this question, which gives me the opportunity to express how honored and proud I am to serve WIL as a Board Member. Serving, creating opportunities, supporting the young leaders in WTP are the key words. At Harvard Business School in Boston, I developed new tools to implement strategy and foster new visions as a senior leader. There are so many memorable moments: The annual meetings in Madrid, Athens, London, Rome and especially the one in Milan, which I had the privilege of organising. Incredible meetings at the European Parliament with Michelle Barnier, Margrete Vestager and all the great speakers.

Last but not least, let's end this interview with a Proust question: What is your motto that has guided you through your life and career and that always comes back to you?

My motto, which has guided me throughout my life and career, is a quote from Seneca:

"It is not because things are difficult that we don't dare, but because we don't dare that they are difficult."

This powerful statement is a constant source of inspiration for me. It reminds me that many of the challenges we face can be overcome if we have the courage to take the first step. It encourages me to approach difficulties with a bold and proactive mindset, turning obstacles into opportunities. By taking risks and pushing boundaries, I have been able to achieve growth, foster innovation and lead with confidence. This motto captures the essence of my leadership philosophy and continues to inspire me to strive for excellence and make a meaningful impact. It’s important to empower women and people around you to have the courage to dare. The ones who dare, succeed.

It’s important to empower women and people around you to have the courage to dare. The ones who dare, succeed.