Women’s revolution in finance
A conversation with Veronica Gava, Managing Director at Mediobanca
ENGLISH VERSION
For the twenty-first issue of EmpowHER, we had the pleasure of speaking with Veronica Gava, Managing Director at Mediobanca. With the Group for more than eighteen years, she started in investment banking before moving into management of the Bank’s equity investments, where she has taken on increasing responsibilities over the years.
Driven by deep curiosity and a desire to continue challenging herself, she furthered her education by taking an MBA at SDA Bocconi, which she has recently completed while continuing to work. A firm believer in the value of giving back and sharing the experience, she is a member of Angels4Women, the business angel group promoted by AXA Italia and Impact Hub which supports high-growth-potential start-ups led by women.
From the start, Gava speaks candidly about the doubts that have accompanied her at different stages of her journey, as she often found herself exposed to leadership models that were alien to her personality. Each new role brought up the question of whether she was up to the challenge, but also provided strong motivation to prepare thoroughly. Studying documents carefully and arriving well prepared at meetings helped her earn trust and credibility, while her self-confidence grew with each new experience.
Initially focused on numbers and valuation models, over time she came to recognize the crucial role of the human factor in valuing a company. Getting to know the managers, understanding their leadership style and observing corporate culture reveal aspects that data alone cannot capture. For Gava, these dynamics influence an organization’s ability to navigate uncertainty and change. At such times, transparency and communication become essential. Sharing available information and listening to colleagues’ concerns help create an environment of trust.
This growing focus on dialogue has also changed the way she approaches networking. Over time, she has learned to see it as an opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships based on trust, and seek advice. Whereas previously she would leave a meeting as soon as it ended, now she has learned to stay and talk to others.
For an introvert this takes practice, but can lead to authentic connections that provide support when making professional decisions and in challenging times.
Her view of leadership emerges clearly from the conversation. For Gava there is no universal model: each person should lead based on their own values and personality. Her own style is calm, respectful, and grounded in listening. Her MBA experience confirmed this, when her teammates described her approach as “kind and sincere leadership.” This was valuable feedback, confirming that it is possible to build a sense of authority while remaining true to oneself, rather than conforming to predetermined models. Analysing both large corporations and start-ups, she has understood that, regardless of their size or maturity, a leader’s quality depends on their sense of responsibility towards the people they lead, and their ability to create the conditions for everyone to realize their potential.
When we asked what makes her believe in the potential of a person or a company, apart from skills and results, Gava had no hesitation. What makes the difference is integrity, which she defines as “complete alignment between who I am, what I say, and what I do.” She has also seen this in Angels4Women, where entrepreneurial projects often stem from deeply personal experiences.
Looking back on her early years in investment banking, with late evenings at the office and weekends spent working, Gava recognizes the formative value of that experience, but today views the sacrifices differently. With hindsight she would have “said no a few more times”. Coaching has also helped her understand the risk of identifying too closely with one’s professional role. When work becomes a measure of one’s self-worth, periods of professional difficulty or dissatisfaction can affect our personal well-being. She therefore emphasizes the importance of nurturing interests, passions and relationships alongside work, all of which contribute to defining who we are.
To her younger self, Gava would remind that simply being in the room means she has the right to contribute, without constantly having to prove she deserves her place. To young women entering finance, she recommends investing in continuous learning: knowledge, together with financial independence, provide the freedom and tools to make choices. But she considers something else equally important: developing a profound awareness of who you are and your values. “Don’t just ask yourself what you want to do. Also ask yourself who you want to be.”Having a clear sense of your values and using them as a compass in both professional and personal decisions can help you build not only a rewarding career, but a life that truly feels like your own.