Post by Valeria Kostina

Resonances and Near Hits #7 – On Responsibility as A Chance Leaders Conferences take place every year. This year, for the first time, Università Bocconi organised a Homecoming, inviting all alumni to return to their alma mater. For the first time, three alumni were recognised with the Alumnus of the Year Award. Each of them shared something that resonated with me: Alisée de Tonnac, recognised as Emerging Leader: "Emerging" not as a state but as a mindset. Adama Sanneh, Changemaker: spoke about how creativity helps to make sense when meaning and direction seem to dissolve, and about the power of not being executors of existing systems but creators of new ones. And, more importantly, how creation is never neutral — as it introduces something new into the world. Elena Goitini, Alumna of the Year, reflected on leadership as "Potere per non su". Homecoming was also an occasion to reunite with fellow alumni from my master’s programme GIO – Economics and Management of Government and International Organisations. One reflection shared that stayed with me: "È fortuna di fare qualcosa che fa bene agli altri". In the end, all of it converges on the idea of responsibility, promoted by the University, its faculty, and its alumni: responsibility towards employees, colleagues, communities — and society at large. I’d say that, in the end, responsibility is not only a burden — it is also a chance: a chance to make the world around us better. We celebrate great achievements and remarkable trajectories; but even in the smallest choices — each act of kindness over cruelty, each decision to support, to listen, to act with awareness of the consequences — is a step forward for humanity, even when it’s an imperfect one. And I want to quote Sarah Bartesaghi Truong, our Chapter Leader of Bocconi Alumni Paris: “In times of uncertainty, creativity gives us direction when the horizon is temporarily lost, while community gives us the strength to walk it together. It’s what connects reflection and action. It’s how we, as humans and as alumni, keep turning ideas into impact.” Our Chapter received the Networking Award for the most events organised. As Vice President for Events and Board Member, I feel grateful for this recognition of the Chapter’s activities. But even more important is the quality of the connections created, the knowledge shared, and the experiences exchanged. And I might also quote Professor Giuseppe (Beppe) Soda: “Don’t be trapped into the social physics.” Building bridges across professions, social classes, and cultures helps us explore the depth and vastness of humanity. It was a pleasure to see former classmates, to reconnect with familiar faces from Bocconi Alumni Chapters — and to meet new ones. Thank you to Francesco Billari, Erika Zancan, Antonella Caru, Sara Caratti Fabiola Essenziale, Riccardo David Battaglia, and Silvia Cocciolillo Roberto Cardi Paolo Codazzi Indira BONVINI Marta Zava Alessandra Meacci