Comau Marks International Women’s Day with Leadership and Diversity Dialogue
Industry leaders, including IFR’s Susanne Bieller, joined Comau executives to discuss how inclusive leadership, diversity, and resilience are shaping the future of robotics and industrial innovation.
Image Courtesy: Public Domain
Comau celebrates international women’s day with a discussion on leadership, diversity, and resilience. To mark International Women’s Day, Comau hosted a special event dedicated to exploring how leadership is evolving and how diversity can serve as a powerful driver of change and growth, particularly in today’s rapidly evolving industrial and technological environments.
The initiative is part of Comau’s ongoing commitment to fostering a corporate culture built on merit, accountability, and the recognition of individual differences. This long-standing approach has led to several tangible milestones, including the renewal of Italy’s gender equality certification in December 2025 and the signing of a workplace equal opportunity protocol in June 2025. Additional initiatives, such as the continuation of flexible work arrangements and a new parenting support program, demonstrate the company’s commitment to supporting employees across different stages of their personal and professional lives.
The event opened with remarks from Comau CEO Pietro Gorlier and was moderated by Stefania Ferrero, Chief Marketing Officer. Among the guest speakers was Susanne Bieller, Secretary General of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), who emphasized the growing importance of professionals who combine strong technical expertise with strategic vision in shaping the future of robotics. Her message resonated with the recent recognition awarded by the IFR to Stefania Ferrero, who was named among the “Top 11 Women Shaping the Future of Robotics 2026.”
The panel discussion also featured contributions from Valeria Ricotta, Comau’s Employee Experience Director and DEI Manager; Nicole Clement, Chief Business Unit Officer for Advanced Automation Solutions; Roberta Togni, VP of Central Functions at Automha, and Carem Rosito Mercio, who is currently supporting the growth of startups after building a career in leadership roles within multinational companies.
During the conversation, speakers noted that modern leadership increasingly requires moving beyond traditional hierarchical structures in favor of models built on shared responsibility, trust, and inclusion. A central theme of the discussion was the redefinition of failure. Speakers noted that it is often in moments of difficulty that a new leadership flair emerges that can bring teams closer together and foster greater awareness and cohesion.
Stefania Ferrero, Chief Marketing & Solutions Portfolio Officer of Comau: "Modernizing leadership means recognizing that inclusion and equity are not secondary objectives, but essential conditions for creating value within companies and across society. Comau believes strongly in these principles and is committed to putting them into practice, as demonstrated by today’s event."