Milan hosted one of the most authoritative evenings on the international institutional and economic calendar. The 19th Transatlantic Award Gala Dinner, promoted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy, transformed East End Studios into a meeting point for leadership, industry and economic diplomacy, honoring those who actively strengthen the relationship between Italy and the United States.
The evening offered a powerful narrative of investments, responsibility and long-term cooperation, reaffirming Milan’s role as a natural platform for dialogue between institutions, global corporations and international financial communities.
Institutions and International Leaders in Attendance
The Gala Dinner welcomed an outstanding group of political, diplomatic and institutional figures. Among them were the US Ambassador to Italy Tilman J. Fertitta, the Italian Ambassador to the United States Marco Peronaci, and the US Consul General in Milan Douglass Benning.
The institutional presence also included the Minister for Institutional Reforms Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, the Deputy Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini, the Undersecretary of State for Health Marcello Gemmato, the President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies Giulio Tremonti, the President of Friuli Venezia Giulia Massimiliano Fedriga, the President of the Marche Region Francesco Acquaroli, the Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala, and representatives of Lombardy Region including Raffaele Cattaneo and Emanuele Monti.
Members of the European Parliament and the Italian Parliament also attended, including Brando Benifei, Carlo Fidanza and Marco Osnato, alongside Emmanuel Conte and entrepreneur Giovanni Bozzetti.
Industry, Finance and Global Investment Leaders
The evening was further distinguished by the presence of leading figures from industry and global finance, including Marco Tronchetti Provera, Paolo Scaroni, Emma Marcegaglia and Stefano Pessina.
Transatlantic investment was represented by Mark Bezos and David Moross, co-founder of HighPost Capital, together with Andrea Fiducia and Vito Cozzoli.
The cultural and civic dimension of the evening was highlighted by the presence of Roberto Bolle, Robert Allegrini, a key figure of the Italian-American community, as well as respected institutional and legal personalities such as Livia Pomodoro and Claudia Colla.
Mario Draghi and the Transatlantic Lifetime Achievement Award
The most solemn moment of the evening was the presentation of the Transatlantic Lifetime Achievement Award to Mario Draghi. The award recognized a career that has left a lasting mark on European economic governance and transatlantic relations.
From the Italian Treasury to the Bank of Italy, from the Presidency of the European Central Bank to leading the Italian Government, Draghi has been a benchmark for credibility, stability and international cooperation, strengthening global confidence in Europe and its economic partnership with the United States.
Leadership and Social Commitment: Special Awards
The Transatlantic Business Leadership Award was presented to Ornella Barra, honoring her outstanding international managerial career in the health and wellness sector. Her leadership in major strategic operations linked to Walgreens Boots Alliance and her role at the helm of The Boots Group exemplify the impact of Italian excellence within global corporations.
The Transatlantic Social Innovation & Philanthropy Award was awarded to Letizia Moratti for her long-standing commitment to social responsibility and inclusion. Her work leading the Comunità di San Patrignano was recognized as a model of concrete social impact, further acknowledged by a video message from Robert F. Kennedy Jr..
Awarded Companies and Strategic Investments
The economic core of the evening was represented by the Transatlantic Awards 2025, granted to companies whose strategic operations strengthen industrial competitiveness across the Atlantic. Award recipients included Honeywell, UL Solutions, Penske Automotive Italy, Qualcomm, Azimut Holding, the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano D.O.P., Almaviva, Ferrero International, Prysmian and Maschio Gaspardo.
A Shared Commitment Across the Atlantic
The 19th Transatlantic Award Gala Dinner portrayed a strong and interconnected ecosystem built on cooperation, trust and entrepreneurial excellence. Milan reaffirmed its standing as an international hub for dialogue, while AmCham Italy once again confirmed its role as a strategic platform for strengthening economic relations between Italy and the United States.
An evening destined to be remembered as a symbol of a partnership that continues to grow through people, enterprises and institutions capable of generating shared value over time.
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