Role
Professor of Practice in Space Economy and Director of the Space Economy Evolution Lab (SEE Lab) at SDA Bocconi School of Management; President of D-Orbit; Visiting Professor of Practice at New York University Abu Dhabi. Former Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.
Bio
After graduating in Physics with a major in Astrophysics and Space Physics from Sapienza University of Rome, in 1986 she joined the National Space Plan, which later merged with the Italian Space Agency (ASI). From 1989, she served as the Italian delegate to ESA for the International Space Station; in 2001, she assumed responsibility for the Marco Polo mission and, until 2008, led the ASI's Universe Observation sector.
In 2009, she co-founded Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-E), serving as its president until 2016 and subsequently as its honorary president. She was also named a United Nations International Gender Champion in 2017. From 2014 to 2022, she served as Director of UNOOSA in Vienna, coordinating global strategies for the peaceful uses of outer space.
Since March 2022, she has directed the Space Economy Evolution Lab at SDA Bocconi. A leading author and leading expert in the field of space economics , her expertise ranges from planetary exploration to space diplomacy and sustainable development. Since 2023, she has served on the Board of Directors of RINA SpA as coordinator of the ESG Committee and is a member of the Criptaliae scientific council for the Grottaglie spaceport; since 2024, she has served as President of D-Orbit.
She is the author of numerous publications, including "Space Economy. The Competitive Arena of the Future" and "Luna, Laboratory of Peace." Her numerous international awards include the title of Commander of Merit of the Italian Republic, induction into the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Hall of Fame, and the Japanese Imperial Order of the Rising Sun.