On May 13, 2025, the Rome Business School campus hosted the event “From Value to Practice: How Corporate Culture Can Support Equal Opportunities,” organized in collaboration with the Winning Women Institute and under the patronage of the Municipality of Rome.
The event served as an open and cross-sector discussion, bringing together representatives from institutions, businesses, and the academic world, all united by a common goal: to explore how corporate culture can become a tangible driver for promoting gender equality in the workplace.
The event began with institutional greetings, followed by a speech by Monica Lucarelli, the Councilor for Productive Activities and Equal Opportunities of the Municipality of Rome. She shared the journey that led the Municipality of Rome to receive the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification, emphasizing:
“Gender equality certification is not a final milestone, but a moment of awareness. It requires everyone’s involvement because only through shared commitment can we build real and measurable change over time.”
The heart of the event was the roundtable discussion. Several companies shared their journeys towards equity and inclusion. From their contributions, a rich and practical vision of change emerged, based on different strategies but united by the same goal: to create inclusive workplaces that value every talent.
The shared experiences ranged from assessing the internal climate through surveys to using KPIs to monitor gender equality. Discussions also focused on bias training, leadership involvement in decision-making processes, and internal communication aimed at inclusion.
Some companies have embarked on the journey to obtain the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification, while others have already completed it. All emphasized tangible benefits in terms of governance, employee recognition, and balancing leadership roles.
As Alessandro Minetti, Managing Director of Call2Net, stated:
“Equity in business relationships creates an environment where people do not feel discriminated against, fostering an acceleration in performance. We all start communicating more openly, supporting the leadership team in this growth process.”
Innovative solutions were also highlighted. Some companies introduced internal listening services or feedback groups to hear employees’ needs. Others implemented advanced metrics to monitor the gender gap throughout the entire employee lifecycle. In many cases, the commitment to inclusion was integrated with projects related to corporate welfare and community engagement.
Katiuscha Gabriele, Head of Development, Education & People Caring, recalled:
“In a predominantly male environment, the real challenge is transforming corporate culture, emphasizing skills and inclusion. Investing in gender equality means creating awareness and opportunities for everyone.”
According to Alda Paola Baldi, Vice President of Unindustria with a delegation to Human Capital, change is already underway:
“From my perspective, observing small, medium, and large businesses, there are significant signs promoting the culture of equality. The Minerva Award has had a significant impact by enhancing best practices, fostering the sharing and recognition of effective strategies for real change.”
During the discussions, Rome Business School contributed its academic perspective. The importance of managerial education focused on diversity was reaffirmed. Preparing the leaders of tomorrow means equipping them with the tools to understand complexity, act responsibly, and promote inclusion as a strategic lever for competitiveness.
The event concluded with the Gender Equality Awards 2025, presented by the Winning Women Institute to companies that have earned the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification. The awardees were Freshfields, Mindray, Progea, Service Key Group e SOBI. These companies stood out for their concrete commitment to promoting equity and inclusion within their organizations.
It was a moment of both symbolic and operational value, reinforcing a clear message: gender equality is not an abstract ideal but a daily responsibility.
The event confirmed that corporate culture is now an indispensable lever for transformation. When the values of equity become everyday practice, organizations evolve. They become more inclusive, resilient, and capable of generating a positive impact that extends beyond company boundaries.
