Bold Visions, a Shared Future: Women’s Entrepreneurship According to Brigitte Sardo, President of ConfapiD

In our interview, Brigitte Sardo invites us to explore a way of doing business where the promotion of female talent becomes a driver for change, shaping a more accessible ecosystem for all.

Business is not only about economics—it’s about culture, vision, and opportunity. And today, more than ever, women are redefining the boundaries of this space, transforming it into fertile ground for social innovation, sustainability, and shared growth.

This is the conviction of Brigitte Sardo, President of ConfapiD, the National Group of Women Entrepreneurs within Confapi. With her, Enactus Italy wanted to explore what it means to be a visionary leader, the systemic challenges that still hinder women’s entrepreneurship, and the concrete actions that can truly make a difference for future generations. Because a more equitable tomorrow starts today—with those who dare to imagine it.

Brigitte, let’s start with the basics: could you tell us about the mission of ConfapiD and how it translates into your daily work?

We have a well-established history: ConfapiD was founded 36 years ago under the leadership of Giovanna Boschis, a historic entrepreneur and a visionary in the fight for inclusion and gender equality. The Group represents female-led businesses that are members of the Confederation, with the aim of promoting and enhancing the role of women entrepreneurs in addressing the challenges of an increasingly global and competitive business environment.

As ConfapiD, we strengthen our representation every day, promoting a culture of gender equality and women’s empowerment that is in step with the times. We design and implement initiatives tailored to the needs of women entrepreneurs. We are constantly committed to recognizing female excellence within the Confapi system and supporting women on a path of growth and awareness, helping them overcome the barriers that often stand in the way of their success simply because they are women.

On the topic of gender barriers in business: why is it still necessary to work to dismantle them, and what are the main challenges faced by young women entrepreneurs in Italy?

As a woman entrepreneur and as someone with institutional responsibilities, I firmly believe that women play a fundamental role in the economic and social development of our country. I also believe that they can—and must—be protagonists in decision-making processes, take on leadership roles, and lead businesses toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

In this regard, the metaphor of the “glass ceiling”, coined by the feminist movement to describe the invisible yet impassable barriers that prevent women from reaching top corporate positions—regardless of qualifications or achievements—must be definitively overcome. To do so, we must first recognize and challenge the barriers that still persist today.

Young women entrepreneurs today face a variety of challenges. First and foremost are gender stereotypes. They are still required to “prove themselves” more than men, and they often face difficulties in accessing funding for their businesses (on average, women receive less funding than men, especially in venture capital).

Second, balancing professional and personal life remains difficult. Cultural and social expectations still assign women a more central role in family care, exacerbated by the lack of structural support such as workplace childcare, flexible hours, or incentives for entrepreneurial motherhood.

There’s also the issue of limited visibility and representation in the media, on public panels, and in predominantly male sectors.

We need to start imagining a new way of thinking—one that combines tangible actions, adequate language, and fresh awareness. A way of thinking that must become an integral part of the future of women’s entrepreneurship—not only for visionaries like me.

What are your strategic goals for strengthening women’s entrepreneurship in the medium term?

We know well that the small and medium-sized industries represented by Confapi express not only an economic model, but also a social and cultural one—rooted in strong local ties and in the belief that workers, both women and men, are valuable resources and strategic assets for business management, including in terms of welfare and career development.

ConfapiD embraces this model and aims to contribute to fostering a business culture that views diversity as added value to be equally rewarded. We promote inclusive and non-discriminatory company policies, while keeping a strong focus on employees at all levels.

We consider women’s entrepreneurship in all its facets, and that’s why we seek to build solid partnerships with qualified partners working in relevant fields (training, counselling, healthcare, workplace safety).

How do you put these ideas into action? What are some concrete steps you’re taking?

ConfapiD is currently working, for example, on a project about gender medicine, in collaboration with leading associations in the field. This initiative targets companies and associations, with the goal of raising awareness about integrating gender-specific health practices into workplace health and safety policies.

We are also designing a training program in partnership with the learning division of a major banking institution. The program will focus on developing women’s leadership and raising awareness of the critical role women play in business.

Finally, supporting companies also means helping them seize opportunities within the system—such as grants and incentives. For instance, with the new gender equality certification—which allows companies to prove they are implementing inclusive policies and managing human resources fairly—we’re doing significant outreach through our Local Guidance Desks. We help companies understand what the certification entails, the resources they can access, how it can benefit them in public tenders, and how it can enhance their social impact. All of this is done in collaboration with a network of experts and qualified technicians who work closely with our organizations.

At Enactus, we believe that young people are the ultimate drivers of change, bringing new values and new ways of imagining the world. Can you tell us about your commitment in this regard?

ConfapiD is deeply committed to spreading an entrepreneurial culture—starting with the younger generations. On one hand, we aim to build partnerships with universities to develop targeted training programs for future entrepreneurs and launch joint innovation, sustainability, and internationalization projects that support women entrepreneurs in navigating the challenges of globalization and competitiveness.

On the other hand, ConfapiD promotes career orientation initiatives in collaboration with high schools. Our goal is to encourage female students to explore STEM subjects and raise awareness about entrepreneurship—highlighting the company as a dynamic and inclusive socio-economic model, without gender distinctions. This not only promotes gender equality but also nurtures a new generation of women entrepreneurs who are conscious and well-prepared.

Success stories: would you share a meaningful example from your community where women’s entrepreneurship meets positive impact?

The first story is that of Daniela Ciacci, CFO of A.T. Metalli S.r.l., a company based in Ancona operating in a highly specialized technical-industrial sector traditionally dominated by men. Through her leadership, she introduced a new organizational and cultural approach within the company, promoting progressive projects that focus on well-being and talent development. Her efforts have created an environment that attracts new skills and fosters a more dynamic, inclusive, and intergenerational workplace. Special attention is also given to passing on entrepreneurial values to the next generation, with active participation in international and industry associations.

The second story is that of Isabella Bodino, founder of MIRYA®, a brand dedicated to female well-being and empowerment. Combining ancient wisdom with modern technology, MIRYA® creates tools and programs that help women journey toward self-awareness, confidence, and harmony. One standout initiative is a product line dedicated to girls experiencing their first period—aiming to transform a transition often marked by silence and embarrassment into a moment of knowledge, strength, and connection with one’s body.

These are two examples of female entrepreneurship that not only innovate in their fields but also help redefine what it means to run a business today—creating value for society by starting with the individual.

Earlier, you described yourself as a “visionary entrepreneur.” What does that mean to you today? What qualities are essential?

Being a visionary entrepreneur, at least for me, means having the ability to look to the future with confidence and intuition—nurtured by skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s like living in a space suspended between earth and sky, with strong roots and fresh ideas. To see beyond the horizon and imagine an innovative future is, in my opinion, one of the core traits of authentic entrepreneurial vision.

It takes boldness and the ability to turn abstract visions into concrete realities. It means being able to inspire and motivate others through one’s passion and conviction. And today more than ever, it also requires a quality that’s not easy to cultivate: long-term thinking—paired with the willingness to take significant risks in order to reach one’s goals, both in life and in business.

A mindset that also fuels your drive for change and your work with ConfapiD, shaping the future of women’s entrepreneurship.

That too is part of the vision: believing in and seeing the possibility of overcoming the limits so often imposed on us. I don’t pretend it’s easy. Every day we face new challenges, and deeply rooted cultural factors still influence us. But this must become our daily commitment—each and every one of us.

Brigitte Sardo

Brigitte Sardo is the CEO of Sargomma Srl Società Benefit, a family business founded in Turin in 1981, specializing in rubber components. Determined and open-minded, she holds numerous institutional roles: President of CONFAPID (the national group of women entrepreneurs within Confapi), President of CIF (Women’s Entrepreneurship Committee at the Turin Chamber of Commerce), member of the WCF Women’s Council, member of the EU Trade Champions Network (European Commission), board member of Fondazione Ricerca Molinette Onlus, and external member of CNEL’s Equal Opportunity Committee.

She actively promotes female empowerment in entrepreneurship and fights for the implementation of gender equality.