Faculty of Excellence

Alessandro Baroncelli

Alessandro Baroncelli is Full Professor of Business Strategy at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, where he serves as Director of the Graduate School and Scientific Director of the Master in AI-Driven Business Models (AIDBM).

His academic journey is grounded in a PhD in Business Administration, further strengthened by post-doctoral research in international management and innovation, carried out both in Italy and abroad.

With over 20 years of experience, he has built a distinctive professional profile that merges academia, strategic consulting, and entrepreneurial practice. He has worked closely with multinational corporations, family-owned businesses, and start-ups, supporting them in processes of strategic reorientation, innovation design, and competitive repositioning—especially in times of profound technological and market change.

His scholarly research focuses on strategic behavior, patterns of innovation, and inter-organizational dynamics, with particular attention to ecosystems, alliances, and co-opetition in global markets. He has authored numerous publications in leading academic journals and contributes regularly to conferences and executive programs across Europe.

As an educator, Professor Baroncelli is known for his ability to connect theoretical depth with real-world application. His teaching philosophy encourages critical thinking, systems perspective, and visionary leadership. Within the AIDBM Master, he guides participants through a deep exploration of how artificial intelligence is transforming strategic decision-making, accelerating business model evolution, and redefining value creation across industries.

Under his direction, the AIDBM Master positions itself at the intersection of technology and strategy, equipping future leaders with the tools to harness AI not only as a technical enabler but as a strategic catalyst for sustainable competitive advantage.

Pierre-Antoine Caubert

Pierre-Antoine Caubert is a seasoned executive in business and digital transformation, currently serving as EMEA Industry Business Advisor at Microsoft. With over 15 years of international experience across strategic HQ roles and operational markets, he has led large-scale tech-powered transformations in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Retail sectors. His work spans agencies, consulting firms, multinational corporations, and tech companies in both developed and emerging countries.

At Microsoft, Caubert partners with some of the most strategic clients in the Retail and Fashion industries, helping them reimagine their business models and accelerate digital adoption through the creative potential of AI. Previously, he was a Senior Manager at Accenture, where he led digital-first programs from ideation to execution excellence, delivering measurable value across the entire value chain.

Earlier in his career, he spent several years at Reckitt, first shaping digital marketing strategies in Italy, then supporting global data and ecommerce transformation from the UK headquarters. A trusted advisor and frequent keynote speaker at major international conferences, including VivaTech, Microsoft AI Tour, and CEGID Convention – Caubert blends strategic vision with hands-on operational insight. He is French and currently based in Milan.

Giovanni Battista Dagnino

Giovanni Battista Dagnino is Chair of Management and Professor of Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Rome LUMSA, where he also directs the International Research Center for Artificial Intelligence Management.

He holds a PhD from the University of Catania and has held visiting positions at Harvard Business School, Wharton, London Business School, IESE, and other top-tier institutions. Internationally recognized, Professor Dagnino is a pioneer in the field of coopetition strategy and the theory of temporary competitive advantage.

His research covers AI strategy, digital transformation, and big data, with over 230 publications including 17 books and articles in journals such as the Strategic Management Journal and California Management Review. He is Co-Editor of the Journal of Management and Governance and advisor to several global institutions.

His strategic frameworks are referenced by organizations like the US Indo-Pacific Command. As an educator, he trains executives and scholars to lead in AI-powered business environments and navigate evolving digital ecosystems.

Gianluca Dettori

Gianluca Dettori is one of Europe’s leading early-stage investors and a pioneer of the Italian venture capital landscape. He is Chairman of Primo Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in digital and deep tech startups, and has played a pivotal role in building Italy’s innovation ecosystem for over two decades.

With a background in computer science and entrepreneurship, Dettori began his career as a tech founder during the early days of the internet. After the acquisition of his company Vitaminic by a public group, he transitioned into investing and has since funded dozens of successful tech startups, mentoring generations of founders and building a bridge between talent and capital.

Licia Garotti

Licia Garotti is a Partner at PedersoliGattai Law Firm, where she leads the Technology Law and Intellectual Property department and co-heads the Fintech inter-practice group. With extensive experience in managing complex legal challenges at the intersection of innovation, technology, and regulation, she plays a pivotal role in advising clients on both transactional and litigation matters, particularly in cross-border and tech-driven contexts.

Her legal practice is strongly focused on emerging technologies, providing strategic guidance on the legal risks and intellectual property implications of innovations such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, and Web 3.0.

Licia is a frequent speaker at legal and tech conferences, and author of numerous publications in both Italian and European journals, with a focus on AI, IP law, and digital innovation. She is also co-author of the global reference volume “Responsible AI: A Global Policy Framework” edited by ITechLaw.

Recognized twice among the “50 Most Inspiring Women in the Legal Sector” in Italy by Inspiralaw (2023 and 2024 editions), Licia is also committed to ESG principles and social innovation, leading several projects that bridge legal strategy and sustainability.

Antonio Gatti

Antonio Gatti is a distinguished industry advisor and innovation strategist, currently serving as EMEA Managing Director for Pharma, Life Sciences and MedTech at Microsoft. With a career deeply rooted in digital transformation and an unwavering focus on enterprise innovation, Antonio has established himself as one of the foremost voices in the application of Artificial Intelligence across multiple industries.

At the intersection of business strategy and cutting-edge technology, he leads AI-driven transformation programs by working directly with executive leaders to co-design strategies that are not only forward-thinking and technologically sound, but also ethically responsible and aligned with long-term organizational goals.

His strategic influence spans a range of sectors, empowering businesses to leverage AI for improved operational efficiency, enhanced customer experiences, and sustainable innovation. Operating from Milan, Antonio is known for his unique ability to make complex AI technologies accessible and impactful.

He is a passionate advocate of responsible AI, ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and a strong emphasis on societal benefit in every initiative he supports. Through ongoing thought leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and strategic advisory roles, Antonio continues to shape the dialogue around the responsible and impactful use of AI—helping build a future where technology serves both business and humanity.

Luisella Giani

Luisella Giani is VP EMEA South Agentforce at Salesforce and a recognized international voice on technological innovation and Artificial Intelligence applied to business. After completing a university thesis in Artificial Intelligence, she built an international career in leadership roles at global technology companies including Oracle, Skype, Netlog, and Lycos.

She has led digital transformation programs for multinational organizations such as Yellow Pages, Goodyear-Dunlop, and DuPont, shaping operating, organizational, and technology models across the EMEA region.

An international speaker, she has delivered 600+ keynotes worldwide, including TEDx, on Artificial Intelligence, leadership, and business transformation. In 2024, she was selected among the experts contributing to the European General Purpose AI Act. She also teaches in master’s and executive education programs at leading institutions, including Politecnico di Milano, Università Bocconi, LUISS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Il Sole 24 Ore.

She is the author of several books; her latest (2025) is “StrategIA. The Last Management Book Written by a Human?”, focused on how to become an AI-first company and on leadership in the era of agentic AI. In 2021, she received the “Tecnovisionaria” award and, since 2020, she has been recognized every year among the “Unstoppable Women” by Startup Italia.