Meet Lucia Zampetti, a dedicated financial professional with a strong background in impact finance and strategic financial management. Currently serving as Financial Controller at Innpact, she navigates the complexities of financial strategies that align with social and environmental goals. With a passion for integrated reporting, Lucia is committed to creating social value and advancing female leadership in her field. Discover more about her insights and aspirations in this exclusive interview. 

Interviewed by Greta Aurora Zottoli

Can you tell us about your current role as Financial Controller at Innpact? What aspects of your job do you find most rewarding, especially given the company’s focus on impact finance?

I am currently the Financial Controller at Innpact. I studied Economics and Management in Milan, where I began my career before moving to Luxembourg and joining Innpact. In my role, I act as the financial compass for the business, navigating the complexities of impact finance. My primary goal is to align our financial strategies with Innpact's mission to generate positive social and environmental outcomes.

Innpact is a sustainability-focused company that creates and manages funds within a green framework, supporting social impact initiatives. I provide clear financial insights and analyses that equip our decision-makers with the information they need to steer us toward our objectives. This is particularly important in impact finance, where projects often come with unique challenges. By identifying potential risks and opportunities, I help the team adapt and ensure that our initiatives remain impactful and financially sustainable.

In addition, I focus on fostering transparency and accountability within our organisation by implementing financial controls that build trust among stakeholders. Transparency reassures investors and strengthens our credibility regarding the projects we support.

It’s incredibly rewarding to see our financial strategy contribute to projects that make a real difference.

You transitioned from working in the pharmaceutical industry to financial controlling at Innpact. What motivated this change, and how has your previous experience shaped your approach to financial management in the impact finance sector?

I moved from the pharmaceutical sector to Innpact because I wanted to align my career with my passion for social impact. In my previous job, I gained valuable experience in financial analysis and project management, which developed my analytical skills and gave me a solid foundation in financial management. However, I found myself increasingly drawn to using finance as a tool for positive change. This shift was motivated by a desire to contribute to meaningful projects with a tangible impact on communities and the environment.

In impact finance, I leverage my skills in support of initiatives aimed at social good. My previous experience significantly shaped my approach to financial management, focusing not only on the numbers but also on how they translate into real-world outcomes. I emphasise sustainability and social responsibility in our financial strategies, ensuring that our work at Innpact reflects these values.

Did you always envision a career in impact finance, or was it an idea that developed gradually?

It developed gradually. After my studies, my primary interest was in finance, so I initially focused on finding a role that deepened my expertise in that field. Over time, I realised there was a unique opportunity to combine finance with positive social and environmental goals. That realisation inspired me to pursue a role at a company like Innpact, which is dedicated to making an impact in the world.

You have expressed a desire to make an impact through your work. Outside of your professional life, what personal experiences or passions have inspired you to pursue a career in the impact finance industry?

I’ve always loved travelling and experiencing different cultures, which made me aware of the challenges people face globally. Witnessing struggles with issues like climate change and poverty made me realise that I could contribute meaningfully through my work.

Connecting with people facing these challenges shifted my perspective. This sparked the idea that I could apply my skills in finance to support meaningful causes, with the hope of working directly with NGOs in the future.

It’s one thing to read about these issues, but witnessing them makes it all feel much more urgent and tangible.

The field of impact finance is rapidly evolving. What do you see as the biggest challenges in creating financial strategies that align with social impact goals?

One of the main challenges is that we’re still in a development phase, especially in Europe, where it’s difficult to measure our impact. Traditional financial metrics don’t easily translate into social outcomes, complicating the quantification of progress. Developing standard metrics that effectively measure social impact while remaining adaptable across different countries is essential yet complex. To this end, sustainability reporting is crucial for helping organisations assess whether their efforts are creating real impact. This strengthens relationships with stakeholders through transparency and provides a framework for evaluating progress. Reliable, clear reports significantly influence decision-making processes, but developing them is complicated, especially since companies often lack standard metrics or KPIs.

Another challenge is balancing financial returns with social outcomes. Investors often focus primarily on financial performance, making it difficult to maintain both financial sustainability and commitment to social impact in our strategies.

Given that the financial sector has traditionally been male-dominated, what specific challenges do women face in leadership roles, and how can we create a more inclusive environment that supports and advances female talent?

I have faced these challenges in my daily life. For instance, when I started my current job, I found myself in a male-dominated environment, which made the experience challenging. I often feel the need to constantly evaluate my skills and contributions, proving my competence more than my male colleagues do. In meetings, I must be assertive to ensure my voice is heard. While this pressure can lead to personal growth, it can also create stress.

To support women in male-dominated environments, I recommend mentoring programmes. Formal mentorship and sponsorship initiatives can connect women with leaders who provide guidance, support, and advocacy. This fosters a sense of community and helps women reach leadership roles.

In addition, promoting work-life balance is also crucial. Companies should adopt policies supporting flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and childcare support to alleviate pressures on women. Organisations should set mixed goals for gender diversity in leadership positions, ensuring women have fair opportunities to advance. 

Furthermore, diverse teams can challenge the status quo and create role models for female leadership.

This imbalance can also be related to geographic metrics. Is there a difference in your experience between Milan and Luxembourg? 

Yes, the environment can impact experiences, but Europe is generally not sensitive to geographic differences in this regard. So, my answer is no; I did not notice a significant difference between Milan and Luxembourg.

In Milan, I was less exposed to a male-dominated environment because I worked as an accountant, and my team was relatively mixed. Additionally, I had limited interactions with upper management, which meant I didn’t feel the gender imbalance as acutely. However, this reflects a broader trend across Europe rather than a stark difference between the two cities.

Looking ahead, how would you like to see your career evolve in the next few years? Are there any specific goals or areas of expertise you are passionate about developing as you move forward in the impact finance space?

Looking ahead, I envision my career evolving as I expand my expertise in impact finance. In the next five years, I would like to take on more leadership responsibilities and transition from Financial Controller to a head position. I want to focus on strategic financial management that aligns with our organisation’s mission of creating social value. 

One key area of interest is integrated reporting and integrated thinking, particularly regarding International Financial Reporting Standards and Accounting Standards. I believe that an integrated approach can provide a more holistic view of an organisation’s performance by considering both financial and non-financial factors. This can enhance transparency and accountability, ensuring our financial strategies reflect our commitment to social and environmental impact. 

Additionally, I am passionate about technology and its integration with finance. Leveraging data analysis and fintech solutions can significantly enhance our ability to measure our impact and track KPIs in innovative ways.

Video Edited by Morgan Rachel Geyer