Meeting with Vasu Jakkal at Microsoft House
‘Alone we go faster, but together we go further.’ With these words, Vasu Jakkal, Corporate Vice President of Security, Compliance, Identity and Management at Microsoft, concluded his meeting with ten young women, students and recent graduates participating in the Ital.IA Lab and Coding Girls programmes promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale. It was an intense and engaging event, held yesterday, Wednesday 16 April, at Microsoft House in Milan, where technology, leadership and personal aspirations intertwined in an authentic and transformative discussion.
The meeting opened with a speech by Mirta Michilli, Director General of Fondazione Mondo Digitale, who outlined the joint actions with Microsoft to promote inclusive artificial intelligence for the common good. This was followed by Claudia Pierpaoli and Federica Stefanizzi, who recounted how, after last year's meeting with Vasu, they managed to secure an internship at Microsoft, which has now become a concrete experience of professional growth. It is a story of inspiration and female empowerment that has left its mark [read the interviews with Claudia and Federica Female role models in leadership roles and Valuing and supporting female talent].
The participants, of different nationalities and with academic backgrounds ranging from cybersecurity to artificial intelligence, then had the opportunity to ask questions to Vasu, addressing issues such as the challenges for women in STEM sectors, the psychological pressure in positions of responsibility, the evolution of cybersecurity with the adoption of artificial intelligence, and the need to balance leadership, empathy and authenticity.
‘The girls had the opportunity to talk about themselves and share their experiences as students in the tech world,’ said Debora Cavallo, project officer, who participated in the meeting. ’These moments of discussion are a valuable opportunity to reflect on the value of choices and the power of collaboration. The testimonials shared not only enriched those who listened, but also sparked new awareness and inspired confidence in their own abilities.’
‘You decide where you want to be.’ Vasu emphasised how decisions are fundamental to achieving one's goals. “She explained how leadership is built through empathy and authenticity, but above all, she reminded us that to achieve results, it is not enough to rely only on yourself,” Debora points out.
The meeting with Vasu is a valuable opportunity to build new visions, amplify emerging voices and continue to promote, together, a culture of innovation that is also fair, equitable and inclusive.
All the girls arrived at Microsoft House highly motivated. ‘The opportunity to meet Vasu Jakkal means so much to me. I admire her leadership in cybersecurity and digital trust, which are crucial fields today but often overlooked in education,’ wrote Elisa Chierchiello, a young researcher in the field of artificial intelligence. I would be incredibly inspired to hear her vision, understand how Microsoft tackles complex challenges such as identity protection and compliance, and discuss how young professionals like me can contribute to building safer and more ethical digital environments.’ Viola Awor, a data science graduate student from Uganda, expressed an urgency shared by many: ‘Today, cybersecurity can no longer be addressed with technical tools alone. We need ethical governance of artificial intelligence, especially in countries where regulations are still fragile. This meeting is an opportunity to understand how to contribute to global, fair and secure digital development.’ Hiyab Negga, a cybersecurity expert, focused on the balance between career and personal well-being: ‘I would like to ask Vasu how she has managed moments of transition in her career, how she defines success and how she manages to maintain clarity and authenticity in a competitive and constantly evolving world.’ Julia Maria Wdowinska, with a background in statistics and security, said: ‘Working in a high-responsibility field such as cybersecurity can be mentally challenging. For me, meeting an empathetic leader like Vasu means understanding how to deal with pressure without giving up on yourself.’ Rossana Conte, a physics student, wrote courageously: ‘I come from an academic environment where women are still few and far between. I would like to know how to build a credible and authoritative voice in a male-dominated industry without losing my identity.’
All the girls arrived with a question, a doubt, a dream. And all of them, in that hour of authentic dialogue with Vasu Jakkal, found an answer, an idea, a spark to continue on their path with more confidence and awareness.
