Interview with Carlo Pasqualetto, Founder & CEO, and Giorgia Zerbetto, Compliance Manager
At AzzurroDigitale, every project stems from a simple yet powerful belief: technology must improve people’s lives. It’s with this vision that we work every day to build digital solutions for businesses. But that’s not all. Innovation, for us, starts with people: how they live, how they work, how free they feel to express their potential.
This also underpins our commitment to gender equality certification, a goal we’ve chosen to pursue not out of obligation, but out of consistency with our values. We spoke with Carlo Pasqualetto, Founder & CEO of AzzurroDigitale, and Giorgia Zerbetto, Compliance Manager and head of the certification project. Two complementary perspectives, united by a common goal: building a more equitable, inclusive, and informed company.
We want to be a place where talents can mature
“We strongly believe in the value of people and, in particular, in making AzzurroDigitale a place where talent can flourish,” says Carlo Pasqualetto. “Embarking on this path was a natural step for us, a concrete extension of our corporate culture.”
This isn’t just an HR initiative or a project related to regulatory compliance, but an investment in value. “We like to think we can be a model for our region. We’re a young company, but we want to grow on solid foundations. That’s why, even though certification requires time, resources, and commitment, we’ve undertaken it with conviction: because it defines who we are and, above all, who we want to become.”
A piece of our Plug In model
The certification also fits into the broader design of our Plug In business model, based on the ability to evolve by integrating new skills, new insights, and new tools. “Technology is a tool at the service of people,” explains Carlo, “and must serve to improve their lives, even in industrial contexts. If we want to generate truly impactful digital and AI transformation, we must start with a solid, diverse, and representative team.”
She adds: “Gender equality isn’t just an ethical issue: it’s strategic. It helps us attract talent, maintain a high-caliber workforce, and offer our clients more diverse and competitive teams.”
“Diversity is the greatest value for a community”
The issue of gender equality also calls into question the responsibility of leadership, and not just female leadership. “The role of male leadership is as important as that of female leadership,” says Carlo. “As in any team, we must recognize that we are different, but precisely for that reason, important. Diversity, if managed properly, is the greatest value for a community.”
And she concludes with a clear message: “A company’s small size is no excuse for postponing these issues. Even in a company with fewer than 50 people like ours, investing in equality is urgent, possible, and, above all, right.“
Behind a certification, a concrete work
The journey to certification wasn’t limited to a theoretical analysis. It was a thorough, meticulous, and culturally demanding undertaking. Giorgia Zerbetto, who led the process from the beginning, tells us: “We started with a self-assessment, mapping all the company’s gender equality practices. We had to identify any gaps in compliance with the UNI/PdR 125:2022 regulation and develop a concrete improvement plan.”
One of the main challenges was data management: “The information was often present but spread across multiple systems, or not systematically monitored. In some cases, it had never been processed or processed: we had to build a collection and analysis system from scratch.”
But the most significant aspect was another: “The real challenge was cultural. We wanted to involve the entire organization, from management to the operational teams. We didn’t want a “fake” certification, but a real, shared change.”
A measurable model that rewards ongoing commitment
The relevant legislation defines six evaluation areas, with objective and verifiable indicators. “Among the most important are the presence of women in senior positions, the gender pay gap, work-life balance policies, selection and promotion processes, and training and awareness-raising activities,” stated Giorgia.
“It’s a rigorous model, but it rewards companies that demonstrate concrete and ongoing commitment. It’s not enough to launch a one-off initiative: a structured and integrated approach to corporate culture is needed.”
An experience that leaves its mark, even on a personal level
For Giorgia, this project has also had a profound impact on a personal level: “It has been and will be a challenging but enriching journey. It has given me the opportunity to work across many company functions, to listen to different points of view, and to contribute, step by step, to significant change.”
And he adds: “On a human level, it was a moment of profound reflection on the value of fairness, the responsibility we have towards people, and the type of company we want to build.”
One step at a time, towards a more equitable future
Our gender equality certification is just the beginning of a journey. A journey that doesn’t end with formal recognition, but continues every day in our choices, behaviors, and relationships.
At AzzurroDigitale, innovation also means this: having the courage to question yourself, change perspective, and make room for new voices.
Because building a fair and inclusive business isn’t just right: it’s the best way to grow, together.
