On 15 October, the 100 Women in Finance Milan Committee welcomed about 50 professionals and representatives of non-profit organisations to S&P Global for an evening on what good governance can bring, in companies and in the non-profit sector.
Starting from the end
The discussion, moderated by Paolo Saccavini, Tal4Biz, began with board evaluation, treating it as the place to start rather than the place to finish. Angela Bonizzi explored what good governance means in practice, and how a serious evaluation can change the way a board works. Angela Gamba then brought the view from inside listed-company boards: how a board is composed, and how a skills matrix is built and used. Above all, she stressed that a board is un organo collegiale, a collegial body. Its effectiveness depends not only on individual expertise, but on how well its members connect and work together.
Governance in the non-profit sector
Debora Gobbo, Fivers, set out how the rules for the boards of Enti del Terzo Settore differ from those of for-profit companies, and why the standard of professionalism should not. Enrica Lobina, Wisedana, shared her experience of where governance makes the difference for mission-driven organisations: measuring social value, avoiding the traps that hold organisations back, and the role of the board in shaping fundraising strategy and leading transformation.
Introducing 100BI
The evening also marked the first public presentation of 100BI, the 100 Women in Finance Milan Boards Initiative. This pilot connects experienced finance professionals with board opportunities, and gives non-profit organisations access to governance expertise to help them plan and grow with confidence.
If you are a finance professional interested in board service, or a non-profit organisation looking to strengthen its board, we would be glad to hear from you:
Contact Milan Boards Initiative
Thank you
Our thanks to our speakers, to S&P Global for hosting the evening, to Wisedana, Tal4Biz and Fivers for their support, and to everyone who joined us and stayed on to continue the conversation.
