The SDA Bocconi Executive Master in Finance community gathered in Milan to celebrate the program’s tenth anniversary. A day of discussion, learning, and networking brought together Faculty, Alumni, partners, and current participants from the EMF X Class on campus, reaffirming the strength of a community of more than 550 finance professionals.

Ten years after its launch, the Executive Master in Finance (EMF) at SDA Bocconi School of Management celebrated its anniversary with "Una vita da EMF," a special event designed to reflect on the journey accomplished so far while looking ahead to the future challenges facing the financial sector.

More than a reunion, the event offered tangible evidence of what EMF has become over time: a lifelong learning platform and a professional and personal network that continues to grow through the exchange of perspectives, expertise, and experiences across generations.

The event opened with institutional remarks by Stefano Caselli, Dean of SDA Bocconi School of Management and long-standing member of the EMF Core Faculty, who has contributed to the program over the years through his teaching on Private Equity, Venture Capital, and growth financing. His speech highlighted the role of finance as a strategic lever for economic development and long-term value creation.

The opening session continued with Andrea Beltratti, Academic Founder of the Executive Master in Finance and Full Professor in the Department of Finance at Bocconi University, together with Alessia Bezzecchi, SDA Associate Professor of Practice and EMF Program Director since the program’s first edition.

Participants also received greetings from Erika Zancan, Director of the Bocconi Alumni Community, who emphasized the value of professional networks and the strategic role of alumni communities in fostering connections, growth opportunities, and a sense of belonging throughout one’s professional journey.

One of the highlights of the day was the EMF Leader Series, featuring Gaetano Miccichè, Chairman of the IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division at Intesa Sanpaolo, who shared insights on leadership, change management, and the future of Corporate & Investment Banking in a constantly evolving economic landscape.

EMF Special Seminars: Four Perspectives on the Future of Finance

The four Special Seminars brought back to the classroom several professors who have helped shape the identity of the Master over the years, providing participants with complementary perspectives on the transformations currently redefining the financial industry.

Maurizio Dallocchio, Full Professor in the Department of Finance at Bocconi University and Past Dean of SDA Bocconi, explored the challenges of Corporate Finance & Control, highlighting the discipline’s role in supporting value-oriented decision-making and sustainable growth.

Giampaolo Gabbi, Professor of Practice and Director of the Finance Knowledge Group at SDA Bocconi, focused on Banking & Insurance, discussing the evolution of business models, risk management, and the implications of regulatory and technological transformation.

Andrea Beltratti led the discussion on Asset & Wealth Management, examining the changes reshaping relationships among investors, markets, and financial advisory services.

Armando Borghi, Professor at SDA Bocconi, explored the future of Corporate Finance & Real Estate, highlighting opportunities and challenges related to investments in the real economy and asset enhancement.

These four perspectives reflected the integrated approach that has characterized EMF since its inception: a Master designed to develop specialized expertise while preserving the ability to understand the complexity and interconnectedness that define modern finance.

Alumni Voices: Experience, Expertise, and New Perspectives

The event dedicated significant space to Alumni, who took center stage in panels addressing the key trends transforming the world of finance.

The panel on real assets and new investment frontiers in the real economy, moderated by Giulia Lavarini (EMF 8, Real Estate Advisor, Zenith Global part of IQEQ), featured Edoardo Vittori (EMF 2, Business Director, Intesa Sanpaolo), Leonardo Di Vincenzo (EMF 2, Real Estate Asset & Transaction Manager, Covivio), and Emilio Colombo (EMF 3, Director Real Estate & Infrastructure, Deloitte), who shared different perspectives on the evolution of the real estate and infrastructure sectors.

In the discussion on the future of investments, moderated by Francesca Codaglio (EMF 9, Senior Credit Analyst Large & Corporate, Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring), Rodrigo Pecoraro (EMF 7, First Vice President, Private Banker, Edmond de Rothschild), Matteo Calza (EMF 9, Financial Analyst, Finanza Semplice SCF), Raffaele Lanni (EMF 8, Founder & Tech Entrepreneur, formerly Euronext), and Tiziano Enriquez (EMF 9, FI Global Sales Manager, UniCredit) discussed the future of asset management, advisory services, and innovation in financial services.

The panel dedicated to evolving skills and leadership, focused on the transformation of professional roles, featured Michele Falzone (EMF 8, Counsel, Giovanardi Studio Legale), Maria Giovanna De Faveri (EMF 4, HR Learning Trainer), and Luna Nardi (EMF 4, Head of Turnaround and Strategic Finance, Cherry Bank), who shared reflections on the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in increasingly complex environments.

Finally, the panel “From the Classroom to the Market,” moderated by Giulia Lavarini, highlighted how the competencies developed during the EMF journey can become a catalyst for value creation within organizations and entrepreneurial ventures. Speakers included Walter Vezzani (EMF 2, Senior Asset Manager, TLC Group), Francesco Arlacchi (EMF 4, Corporate Finance Advisor and Fractional Manager in SMEs), and Mauro Misino (EMF 2, M&A Manager & Debt Restructuring, Helidon & Company).

"Un Concerto da EMF": When Diversity Creates Harmony and Value

The day concluded with "Un Concerto da EMF," a symbolic moment that perfectly embodied the spirit that has always characterized the Executive Master in Finance.

Taking the stage were Andrea Beltratti on drums; Giammario Verona, Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi Full Professor of Innovation Management and former Rector of Bocconi University, on guitar and vocals; Gianluca Manca, EMF faculty member for the Asset Management business simulation since 2016, on guitar and vocals; and Nicola Pecchiari, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Accounting at Bocconi University, on saxophone, accompanied by the Bocconi Band.

As Rector of Bocconi University from 2016 to 2022, Verona led the institution through the pandemic and post-pandemic period, promoting significant educational innovation and accelerating the integration of digital technologies into learning processes.

Over the years, Manca has guided EMF participants through immersive business simulations focused on Asset Management, helping them develop a practical approach to emerging industry challenges.

Together with Nicola Pecchiari and the Bocconi Band, whose engaging jazz performance brought the event to a memorable close, they created a powerful metaphor for the EMF experience: value is generated through the meeting of diverse perspectives, the harmony of complementary skills, and the ability to collaborate toward shared goals.

A Community That Continues to Grow

During the event, Andrea Beltratti and Alessia Bezzecchi expressed their gratitude to everyone who has contributed to building and growing EMF over the past decade:

"Our heartfelt thanks go to all members of the EMF community: to our Faculty colleagues, for the passion and professionalism they continue to bring to the classroom every weekend; to our partners and practitioners, whose experience constantly enriches the dialogue between theory and practice; to the Program Managers and the entire EMF team, whose dedication makes the program possible by supporting participants and Faculty alike; and to our Alumni, for the trust they have placed in SDA Bocconi’s EMF and for continuing to actively contribute to a platform that evolves and grows over time."

Ten years after its launch, EMF reaffirms its identity as much more than a Master program. It is a community of over 550 Alumni and participants, a permanent laboratory of knowledge and relationships, capable of accompanying professionals and leaders throughout their growth journey. As was recalled during the celebration:

"To become leaders in finance, skills and tools are not enough. You also need the courage to believe in your dreams."