We continue series of interviews Women in Leadership and today we have a pleasure to introduce wonderful female leader Isa Gatti – who’s a CEO at LG & Partners.

From 1990 to 2004, Isa was HR manager in Weight Watchers being in charge of the Alimentation Program. In 2006 Isa founded her own company Welcome Weight and employed 30 ex-colleagues, winning the Employer Award. In Welcome Weight her aim was to organise financing for the company, above all for European Funding.

And in 2006 alongside with one more partner Isa founded LG & Partners. As her core role she’s involved in the Institutional World. From 2018 she’s been the President of UniImpresa of the Lombardy Region – that represents 250,000 companies in Italy.

With that impressive wealth of experience we asked Isa to share her story and views on leadership.

Isa, tell us a bit about your company and your role? What is your favourite thing about your job?

LG & Partners is a company which offers finiancial advising services. I am the CEO of the company. I like helping companies realise their objectives in business.

How did you get into it? Please tell us some details in your career path and progression including bumps in the road if there were any, you want to

I was very interested in European Funding and wanted to discover more. The most satisifying moment is when the client is able to achieve their goals. There have been some challenges along the way, but working as a team we have always managed to find solutions.

Did you always know where you wanted to be?

Yes, I have always had a clear idea and passion for this role which I love doing.

What is your leadership style? And how did you find out about it?

My leadership style is understanding the problems of my employees because I am very empathetic with people.

What skills someone entering your industry know should focus on improving?

I believe that first of all to be able to understand immediately the employer’s necessities.

What makes a good team leader/manager?

Somebody who can teach to the employees the ability to work as a team and know what needs to be done.

What do you think is causing the lack of diversity in top leadership? Why are women not rising to the top?

Firstly I would like to underline there are no “good” men or women employers, but only good managers in general, gender is not a factor. Then, top managers in Italy until present, are men who are influenced by a cultural heritage. But now things are starting to change.

What do you think we should change in order for women to feel more encouraged to become leaders?

Women are already leaders, they need to be given more consideration in the business world.

How important for women in business to develop confidence and what tips could you share which helped you?

Women already have the confidence. The problem is that women do not unite among themselves.

What is one thing in your life that you are most proud of?

My children.

Isa Gatti, CEO LG&Partners.