Leonardo Ricci

SDA Bocconi

“A finance professional who’s always been fascinated by Darwinian nature of the financial world.”

Hometown: Milano, Italy

Fun fact about yourself: My unwavering passion for wine: life is too short to drink bad wine! I firmly believe that without a good bottle of wine…. is impossible to have a great meal.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Scuola Europa – High school diploma

Università degli Studi di Milano – BS Economia Europea

LSBF –MSc Investment Banking & Capital Markets

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Tradition Securities and Futures – Sales Trader

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Strategy& – Milan

Where will you be working after graduation? WRM Group – Investments

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Elected Class Leader of the MBA48 class, Member of the BoD of the SDA Bocconi Finance Club

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? One of the extracurricular achievements I’m extremely proud of is our participation in the Oxford Global Private Equity Challenge 2023. Our team, comprised of three MBA students and a colleague from our Master’s program, dedicated an immense amount of effort to this challenge. We began with highest expectations and a strong commitment to excel. As it happens with most projects, we reach the very last moment with a burnout. Our project involved developing a potential deal for Tod’s. Despite the immense workload from classes the dedication of our team was remarkable – one team member contributed from a hospital bed, helping in finalizing the executive summary on the phone.

Despite these challenges, the experience was extraordinary. Though we did not win the competition, the true value of our experience was highlighted in an unexpected way. Recently, we discovered through a newspaper article that a private equity fund executed a deal to delist Tod’s, strikingly similar to the one we had proposed. This was probably the most satisfying reward.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Probably, my proudest achievement has been, at 34 years old with more than 9 years of experience in trading, to successfully transition into Private Equity. This “change” from a successful and structured career as a sales trader to a dynamic and challenging role in private equity (PE) began with my decision to pursue an MBA, marking a significant pivot point in my career.

The decision wasn’t easy; I was leaving behind a successful career because I was lacking the stimulus and challenges I had at the beginning; I simply wasn’t having fun anymore. My goal was clear from the beginning: I wanted to shift my career trajectory from Markets to PE. The path wasn’t smooth, especially when the job market turned volatile, with major investment banks laying off staff and closing their MBA internship programs. However, I remained undeterred and flexible, constantly adjusting my strategies while keeping my ultimate goal in sight. I wasn’t able to land anything in the summer period and I took the chance to explore the consulting word. Turned out, it definitely wasn’t right for me.

Despite the challenges – including my background and age not playing in my favor – I stayed true to my vision. This meant turning down an attractive strategic consulting opportunity in Dubai to accept an internship in a PE fund in Milan at the very last month of the MBA. This decision, which seemed risky at the time, turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever made. I’m proud of my ability to adapt and navigate through a tumultuous job market, leveraging hard work in networking and skill-building, even when faced with repeated setbacks. This journey taught me that every obstacle is an opportunity to grow and that adaptability is key in not just surviving, but thriving in new and challenging environments. I hope my story can serve as example to others looking to do the same: with resilience, a clear vision, and the willingness to embrace change, one can successfully transition into a completely new field and find fulfilment.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose SDA Bocconi for my MBA for personal and practical reasons. At the time, I was going through a challenging phase in my career, feeling emotionally drained by my previous job. It was my girlfriend who first saw the toll it was taking on me and suggested pursuing an MBA as a new challenge. Living in Milan with a 3-year-old child, the idea of leaving my family for an extended period was not an option I was willing to consider. SDA Bocconi, being in the same city, presented an ideal opportunity. My girlfriend’s encouragement led me to explore what SDA Bocconi had to offer, and I quickly realized it was the right fit for me. Her unwavering support and belief in me have been a constant source of strength, and I cannot thank her enough for that. Choosing SDA Bocconi was a decision made with both my heart and mind. I applied exclusively to this institution, fully aware that it was SDA Bocconi or nothing for me. This decision turned out to be more rewarding than I could have ever imagined, offering not just an educational journey but an incredible life experience. SDA Bocconi has exceeded my expectations, providing a platform for both professional and personal growth in a way that aligned perfectly with my family life and career aspirations.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor was Stefano Pogutz, our Program Director. He took us all under his wing and guided us like little ducklings. His mentorship played a pivotal role in my transformation into a more socially aware individual.

During his sustainability course, I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for sustainability. While I wouldn’t claim to be an expert in the field, my awareness and knowledge have grown exponentially, something I never imagined possible before this course. Professor Pogutz’s approach to teaching and mentorship was not just about imparting knowledge; it was about shaping perspectives and encouraging personal growth.

He holds a special place in my heart, not just as a professor, but rather as a friend and a mentor.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? I wasn’t able to attend the Sailing weekend, so my favorite MBA event was undoubtedly the Ski Weekend (organized by our Ski Club). The event was held in the breathtaking setting of Cortina, where we spent a weekend conquering the Dolomites. The club did an exceptional job in organizing the trip, ensuring we had not only spectacular ski runs (despite almost skiing on grass) but also unlimited access to booze. The event was a perfect blend of adventure and camaraderie, reflecting the school’s ethos of creating experiences where students can bond, unwind, and create lasting memories together.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Looking back at my MBA experience, there’s honestly nothing I would do differently. Each aspect of the program – the challenges, the learning, the people I met – played a crucial role in shaping my current state of happiness and fulfillment. I’ve formed lifelong friendships, secured a job in my desired industry, and became an alumnus of a prestigious institution. These experiences collectively have led me to where I am now, completely content and excited for the future. The entire journey has been invaluable, and I wouldn’t change a single thing.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about SDA Bocconi, encapsulated in its previous motto ‘for people who never stop’, is actually a stark reality of the MBA experience. This motto perfectly sums up the relentless pace and intensity of the course. The idea that we could maintain a ‘normal’ schedule or work-life balance quickly proved to be a myth. Time was a luxury we all lacked.

Throughout the program, the concept of pausing or taking a break was virtually non-existent. Our lives revolved around assignments, with occasional late-night activities serving as our only respite. This constant pressure led to visible changes among us; I witnessed friends gaining weight and others developing grey hair, tangible signs of the stress we were under. Despite the immense pressure, somehow, we all had also to deal with our personal situation: families, long distance relationships, moving, job searching, etc

However, the myth also suggested an unspoken truth: like those who came before us, we too would emerge successfully. And we did. The rigorous journey tested us but also instilled a sense of resilience and accomplishment. While the myth implied an unceasing grind, it also hinted at the transformative growth that comes from enduring such a challenging program.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Being from Milan, I confess my view might be slightly biased, but I genuinely believe there’s so much to love about this city. Milan manages to be cosmopolitan yet retains a distinct ‘local’ feel, differentiating it from other global cities. The city’s nightlife is as eclectic as it is stylish, mirroring the renowned Italian sense of fashion and culinary excellence.

Perhaps the greatest selling point of Milan, especially compared to other international cities, is this very ability to offer a global experience while maintaining its Italian essence. It’s a city where the world meets Italy, creating a unique and enchanting environment. Th

is blend of international and local, modern and traditional, is what I love most about Milan and what I believe makes it an extraordinary place to live and study.

What surprised you the most about business school? The most surprising aspects of my business school experience were the extensive external network and the close-knit nature of our class group. I was truly amazed by the depth and breadth of the school’s connections with the business world. The range of relationships, from innovative startups to Fortune 500 companies, far exceeded my expectations. Equally surprising was the dynamic within our class. With a class size of just 100 people, it became possible to know each of my classmates personally. This level of intimacy and connection is something I found unique compared to other MBA programs. The individuals in my class were exceptional in every sense – diverse, talented, and inspiring. Their presence significantly enriched my MBA journey, and I wouldn’t exchange these relationships for anything in the world.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Choosing just one classmate to admire is a challenging task, as I’ve had the privilege of sharing the classroom with many remarkable peers (and exceptional friends). However, if I must single out one, it would probably be Sylvain Fauchon.

What sets Sylvain apart is surely not his quantitative skills, but rather his unique and impressive ability to navigate interpersonal dynamics. He possesses a rare combination of being both exceedingly direct and politically astute in dealing with people, which I both admire and envy at the same time. Throughout my career, I’ve rarely encountered someone who can so skillfully manage the complex political nature of company interactions like this.

His approach to communication and relationship management is something that has consistently impressed me. I genuinely believe that he possesses the qualities and skills to become a great CEO. His ability to balance straightforwardness with political savvy in a corporate environment is not just admirable but also a critical skill for effective leadership at the highest levels; it is something you don’t find that often.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? Asking this question before the MBA my answer would have been straight: making money! Now, I cannot say making money still doesn’t make the podium in my future goals, but I want something slightly more fulfilling. While financial stability remains important, my primary goal now is to go deeper into the world of Private Equity. I am eager to explore its complexities and gaining comprehensive insights and knowledge. The second stage would be to do something on my own: identify a compelling idea or opportunity, then use it as a foundation to build a new venture. Ideally, this would be in collaboration with some of my MBA classmates.

What made Leonardo such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Leonardo has been a constant presence in our MBA community, always offering support and sound opinions.

As VP of the Finance Club, he was on top of all activities, working hard to coordinate the Private Investment Forum, the club flagship event, and activating networking opportunities for his colleagues.

And his colleagues were always his main focus: he motivated his classmates, stimulating their sense of belonging to SDA Bocconi in all activities and even more so in those involving external players, making sure our students were our best ambassadors.

His hard work and caring were so strong that his colleagues elected him as one of the two class presidents that will be the contact point for his cohort with the School through the years: a key position in our MBA.

Leonardo’s support goes beyond the classroom as he takes part in our promotional activities, sharing his experience with prospect candidates.

Career-wise, he was able to develop a strong self-awareness and open himself up to exploring the numerous opportunities offered by the financial sector, his true passion.

We are sure we will always be able to count on Leonardo’s unwavering support through the years and we are happy to have such a bright, motivated and generous student in our community.”

Simone Consonni
Learning & Development, Full-Time MBA Program

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024