A Day in the Life of… Anna Bonizzoni

Who are you, what did you want to be as a child and what do you do now at UniCredit?

Hello everyone, I’m Anna Bonizzoni, and I recently joined the Compliance Office, in Culture and Education. When I was a child, I wanted to work for a big international company, and I must say... task accomplished!

I joined UniCredit in 2008 in the Group Identity and Communication department. After that, I moved to the Strategy and M&A function, where I worked as a Business Manager for the past 6 years. There, I was able to improve my financial skills and unleash my desire to engage colleagues. I have also been a Compliance Ambassador for 3 years in a row, so Compliance was a natural step for me. I’ve always looked for “transversal jobs”, where I can manage different kinds of activities: being able to multitask and keep an open mind is essential to succeed in any activity – and emotional intelligence is key.  

What do you enjoy most about your job and what is the proudest moment or greatest achievement of your career?

The thing I’m most proud of is that new, younger colleagues call me “mom”, for the way I support them when they start at the Bank. As senior employees, we have the duty to shape the managers of the future and to teach them that although the working environment can be tough, it can be faced with cooperation, good manners, and inclusion.

And what is the hardest part?

The hardest part of my job, which I would define as “challenging”, is to start a new task with a lack of information. For this reason, the strong network I created over the years is essential when you need support. None of us are experts of every single topic, so it is of the utmost importance to rely on more skilled colleagues. You have to turn the engine on first, but you can go nowhere alone.

What advice would you give your younger self or somebody considering this role as a career?

Being prepared with a strong educational background is important, but knowledge is nothing without empathy and flexibility. There’s always something to learn from others and from activities which may appear basic. Be innovators, try to improve things with fresh ideas and new ways of working. Each of us is unique and can make a great contribution, and each contribution – put together – makes us stronger.

How do you balance your professional and personal life?

I balance my professional and personal life by dedicating the same time to each one. Managing your time properly is essential. “Urgent” and “important” are 2 different things that are sometimes mixed together. So, as soon as I can, I spend my time looking for new items for my Grace Kelly collection, or I fly to northern Europe for music: I’m an electronic dance music enthusiast. Pilates is another good way to stretch my body and mind.

What do you like to do to relax after a hard day at the office?

There’s no better way to chill out than a warm shower, sofa, TV, a blanket and herbal tea.

What would your perfect day look like when you are not working?

For sure, spending time on myself and with my loved ones. And looking for new places to visit. I often travel alone; I think it’s a good way to increase self confidence and to widen your own horizons.

What was the last book or the last movie you loved? And why?

I loved “Rebel Talent” by Francesca Gino. It pushed me even more to do things differently. To be more creative and forward-thinking and have an unconventional approach.