In this episode, Naji welcomes Elisabetta Vitali, Executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation, to explore her unique journey from high-level finance to leading a mission-driven organization at the intersection of science and philanthropy. After a successful career in investment banking and infrastructure funds, Elisabetta made a deeply personal and values-driven transition into the nonprofit world, motivated by her own health experiences, her family background in science, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to both scientific progress and her home country of Italy. Elisabetta shares the powerful story behind the Foundation, born from a personal tragedy that highlighted the urgent need for deeper investment in basic science. Today, the organization supports early-stage, high-risk research and fosters collaboration between Italy and the United States, with a strong focus on developing scientific talent. Through initiatives like career development awards, the Foundation not only funds research but invests in people, helping scientists build labs, grow careers, and create long-term impact across borders. Their work demonstrates how sustained commitment to fundamental science can generate ripple effects in innovation, education, and global collaboration. Throughout the conversation, Elisabetta reflects on leadership, legacy, and the importance of humanity in science. She emphasizes motivation, respect, and long-term vision as key drivers of impactful leadership, especially in fields where results may take years to materialize. Her perspective highlights a powerful truth: advancing science is not just about discoveries, but about nurturing communities, empowering individuals, and building systems that allow knowledge - and people - to thrive. "Without investing in basic science, we’re basically trying to build the skyscraper starting from the roof." MEET OUR GUEST Elisabetta Vitali, Executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation. Elisabetta Vitali is the Executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation, a role she has held since February 2025, after more than a decade of leading the Foundation’s Italian Programs. With over 25 years of international experience across philanthropy, finance, and strategic management, she brings a distinctive combination of analytical depth, leadership, and cross-sector vision to advancing the Foundation’s mission of supporting world-class scientific research and fostering collaboration between Italy and the United States. Before joining the Foundation in 2014, Elisabetta built a successful career in investment banking and infrastructure finance. She served as Vice President at Lazard & Co., where she advised leading European corporations on mergers, acquisitions, and complex cross-border transactions totaling more than €3.5 billion. She later joined AEDES SpA, supporting the firm’s international expansion and fund management strategy, and became one of the investment partners at F2i SGR, Italy’s largest infrastructure fund, where she oversaw major transactions in energy, transportation, and utilities, contributing to a portfolio exceeding €2 billion. Drawing on her financial and strategic background, Elisabetta transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where she has since applied the same rigor and long-term vision to advancing scientific excellence and collaboration across the Boston and Italy. At the Armenise Harvard Foundation, she has launched several key initiatives—including the Armenise Harvard Airalzh and INF-ACT Mid-Career Awards—and strengthened partnerships between Italian institutions, Harvard Medical School, and global research organizations. A graduate of Bocconi University with full honors in Economics and Social Disciplines, Elisabetta is known for her ability to connect people and ideas across sectors and borders, and commitment to translating strategy into lasting impact for science and society.
