Women’s revolution in finance
Interview with Viria Paiano, Chief Audit Officer at Valentino
For the thirteenth edition of EmpowHER, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Viria Paiano, Chief Audit Officer at Valentino, a professional who has managed to turn every stage of her career into an act of courage, curiosity, and self-awareness.
As she herself recounts, her journey didn’t begin with a defined plan. Choosing to study Economics was almost accidental, yet it turned out to be the first step toward a path that would blend analysis, people, and vision. Her first professional experience at PwC laid the fundamentals: there she learned the fundamentals of the profession and began building the groundwork for her future. Her time at Ferrero marked a turning point: technical knowledge merged with human connection, enriching her perspective. Travels, encounters, and intercultural challenges took her all over the world, from South America to Australia, and even to Turkey, teaching her that behind every number, there are always people. “Listening is more important than speaking eight languages,” she says.
After many years, Ms. Paiano felt a new energy growing inside her: the desire for change. It was precisely at that moment that the opportunity from Valentino arrived, almost unexpectedly. Accepting that challenge meant not only switching industries but also redefining her approach to work, to people, and to the creation of value.
Looking back today, Paiano reflects: “When you’re living your journey, everything feels confusing. When you look at it from a distance, every step makes sense.” A belief matured over time, shaped by bold choices and moments of uncertainty that, only in hindsight, reveal their meaning and show how each decision helped shape who she is.
This awareness is the root of her vision of auditing, often seen as a technical and detached profession, but which, in her words and experience, becomes a living, dynamic activity where the connection between people is the key to truly understanding a company.
For her, knowing the business means understanding the people and processes behind it: only those who know its fabric can read the numbers with awareness and turn work into tangible value. At Valentino, where every individual plays a crucial role, this vision comes to life every day. The company operates across several locations, and the constant flow of communication and collaboration is one of its greatest strengths. As Paiano says, “A company runs faster when people feel like part of one group,” a principle that perfectly encapsulates her idea of leadership: to unite, not control; to guide, not impose. In her words, audit becomes a bridge between worlds, the rationality of numbers and the richness of relationships.
Yet behind this apparent harmony lie some of the more subtle challenges of the working world, especially for women. Difficulties don’t always appear openly: sometimes, they creep in through questions that seem harmless, like “Are you in a relationship?” or “Do you live with someone?”, questions she was asked in almost every job interview. All except one: at Valentino. There, for the first time, no one asked about her private life. A small gesture, but a powerful one: proof that change is possible.
Discrimination today is more subtle, but no less real. As Paiano explains, things have certainly improved compared to the experiences of previous generations, but full equality is still a goal yet to be achieved. One of the moments that left the biggest mark on her was an interview with some women who, with disarming simplicity, reminded her what it truly means to gain independence through work. “For me, working meant freedom. Work saved my life, because I never had to ask anyone for anything,” they told her. A thought as simple as it is powerful, capturing the very essence of independence.
“Financial freedom can only come from three sources: family, work, or another person. But if they take away your chance to work, they take away your freedom to choose.” For Paiano, this freedom isn’t just economic but also personal: the ability to decide how to live your own time. Today, she explains, she has finally reached a balance that allows her to manage the relationship between work and personal life on her own terms. After years of intense rhythms and a constant need to prove herself, she now feels at peace.
Behind this awareness lies a powerful message: balance is not a compromise, but a victory. Empowerment is not an abstract word: it’s the concrete ability to choose, every day, the life you want to live. Every experience, even the most difficult one, leaves a mark and becomes part of this journey. Crises are not signs of weakness but necessary moments of growth: times when you pause, reflect, and find the strength to start again. What matters most is to keep moving forward, maintaining trust in yourself even when everything feels hard.
The advice Viria Paiano leaves us is simple yet profound. She encourages us not to stay where we’re not happy, but also not to give in to the urge to flee from difficulty. Crises help us understand what we truly want and build the strength needed to face what comes next. Choices, she emphasizes, must be ours alone, not our parents’, partners’, or friends’. Only then can we truly recognize what makes us feel good, even if it means changing direction, starting over, or admitting we were wrong. It’s an act of courage, not weakness.
It’s always worth experimenting. Extracurricular experiences, such as the student associations she herself was involved in, are not “wasted time,” but spaces where we learn to work in teams, manage projects, and above all, lead people and navigate relationships. These are places where friendships, passions, and skills are born, skills no exam will ever teach.
“When in doubt, do.” That’s the spirit with which Paiano invites all of us to face the future: with courage, curiosity, and the freedom to always choose ourselves.