Aleksandra, can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to join this association?

I am Polish but all my life, whenever I've left Poland, people have always thought I was Italian. However, I would never have expected to be living in Italy, but fate had other plans for me. I met my Italian husband in France, and of course he thought I was Italian too, and that was the icebreaker he used with me.  Soon after he won my heart and I moved to Rome and it has been my home now for 18 years.  it's been quite an adventure, I’m blessed with a loving husband, a wonderful daughter and four adorable chinchillas!

Prior to joining PWA, I was actively involved in advocating for equality and women's empowerment as a member of the FIDAPA BPW, Rome Club. I was always passionate about women’s empowerment and this was a wonderful stepping stone to connect with other like-minded women in Rome.  This longstanding Italian women's association, established nearly a century ago, has a global presence and it was there where I met Mirela Cojocaru, a PWA member who kindly introduced me to the inspiring PWA community.

How has being a member of this association impacted your personal and professional life?

PWA has been instrumental in boosting my self-confidence and introducing me to amazing new friends, both within and outside the organization.

The diversity of our backgrounds fosters a stimulating environment where every interaction is a chance to learn and grow. Networking and sharing experiences with such open-minded individuals is truly enriching.  it allows us to gain new insights and perspectives from different walks of life.

Thanks to PWA's connection events and conferences, I've had the privilege of delving into topics that extend far beyond my professional sphere such as Artificial Intelligence or electric cars. This has significantly broadened my understanding of the world, particularly from a woman's perspective, and has equipped me with valuable insights that I can actually apply to both my personal and professional life.

Can you describe your career path and how it led you to your current position?

I had always struggled to summarize my career path in a single word. When asked to elaborate on my work, I found it difficult to explain.   Now, I can confidently say that the essence of my career path is 'internationalization'.

I've always been captivated by exploring different cultures, hearing diverse stories, and experiencing the world. I've also realized that speaking multiple languages has opened countless doors. In Poland, language learning wasn't as accessible, in spite of this I managed to master English and French. This led me to pursue International Economic Relations studies at the Warsaw School of Economics.

During my Erasmus Programme in France, I met my future Roman husband. 'All roads lead to Rome' couldn't be more accurate for me. After moving to Italy, I worked as a local officer, first as an economic expert and then as an internationalization expert at the Polish embassy in Rome. This  was a prestigious and fulfilling role, but my heart was set on the private sector.

I achieved my goal by becoming the Country Manager for Italy, Spain, and Portugal at Koral, a Polish food company within the Graal Group, where I've been working for nine years. It’s challenging and demanding work that requires a lot of self-management, but very rewarding.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is getting to know and learn about the journeys of successful entrepreneurs and companies. I work with many well known long standing Italian companies and it's fascinating to uncover their stories.  They share with me how they achieved their success and the best part is I learn from them.

What are some significant achievements in your career that you are particularly proud of?

I've been fortunate to build my career in a field that aligns with my studies and passions, which makes my work a pleasure.  I was thrilled to have received an official recognition from the Polish Minister of Economy, Janusz Piechociński, for my contributions to the promotion of Polish companies and the economy in Italy while working at the Embassy. This award was a huge validation of my career path.

At my current position with Koral, I negotiate contracts for new products, which can be difficult but when I think of the countless people involved in making it happen and seeing the product on the shelves it fills me with pride.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I'm also deeply committed to social causes. As the vice-president of FIDAPA BPW, Italy, Rome Club, I developed a project to highlight the efforts of institutions, associations, and companies in promoting social inclusion and gender equality. The project was based on video recorded interviews. One of them was done with the former president of the PWA. To see them you can go directly to the FIDAPA BPW Rome Club YouTube channel.

What advice would you give to women who are starting their careers?

The advice I often give to my daughter is, 'Keep moving forward, be active and curious!' It's essential to remember that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of progress. Don't let them bog you down. Instead, let them go and focus on the bigger picture.

I know it's easier said than done, but this philosophy has been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals and find true fulfillment. By persevering through obstacles and maintaining a positive outlook, you can overcome any challenges and realize your dreams and aspirations.