Science and innovation challenge us with a silent but powerful revolution: women emerge as leaders, in a women-STEM duo that works, indeed that even drives change.
Raffaella Donetti is part of this combination. She has worked in the world of materials for over twenty years, and between 2015 and just recently, she led Pirelli's Applications and Special Projects team, in addition to the Innovative Materials team last year, where she is responsible for developing innovative technologies to meet the specific needs of consumers and the automotive industry. Since January, as Head of Open Innovation and Knowledge Management, she liaises with Universities and Centres of Excellence with the aim of creating a network of projects to support the brand's business strategy.
When and how did you decide to embark on your STEM journey?
Science has always been a great source of fascination for me. After completing my secondary school education, I decided to register for the degree course in Macromolecular Chemistry at the State University of Milan and subsequently continued my studies at Milan Polytechnic University, specialising in Polymer Science.
My passion for applied research led me to Pirelli, where I started out my professional career with a scholarship: it was exactly the path I wanted to take and I am very pleased with my choice.
What does a person working within the Materials department actually do?
Working on material innovation projects means developing new solutions to optimise tyre performance and sustainability.
The process starts with a new idea, the potential of which is assessed to then launch the innovation process, which applies the new technology to the tyre. The roads you travel are completely unexplored, because the materials either do not exist or are currently being used in completely different applications.
Projects are monitored at all stages of development, from concept to final implementation in the tyre, which includes the technical and cross-sectional coordination aspects of multiple disciplines, from the identification of the necessary skills, to the development of new characterisation and testing methods, through to scouting for partners to put them into production.
It's not only interesting work, but also highly stimulating.
What challenges do you face or have you faced along your journey?
A role change is always a new challenge, and since January 2024 I have been responsible for R&D for Open Innovation and Knowledge Management.
This department is responsible for implementing the open innovation model (open to the outside world) to support the brand's business strategy, through the management of programmes and projects that involve universities, centres of excellence and technology partners, who can be both public and private stakeholders.
In knowledge management, the department is responsible for structuring and managing systems and processes for sharing, for protecting confidential information, and for preparing all external reporting of the R&D department, thanks to the implementation of digital systems.
In addition, he manages the R&D Academy whose objective is to support the development and consolidation of strategic technical skills within Pirelli.
After an initial negative approach to the employment world - at the third recruitment interview I was told that I would have been hired if I had been a man - I was lucky enough to meet Pirelli and start my career here, with unprejudiced leaders and in an environment characterised by a significant female presence, where I have always felt welcome and respected, both as a woman and as a mother.
In particular, the Materials R&D management has had the merit of achieving gender balance in the management structure over the years.
The ongoing challenge I face every day, which is unrelated to my STEM journey, is to balance work and personal life by reaching the right balance of my many priorities.
Today, you are often liaising with universities. Do you think that girls are encouraged more now than in the past to choose a STEM path?
Definitely, compared to the past, there is increasing encouragement for girls to pursue STEM careers. Universities and educational institutions are putting in place numerous initiatives to promote women's participation in areas that have historically been dominated by men. This includes creating specific scholarships, mentorship programmes, and promoting female role models in the world of STEM.
Despite this progress, much remains to be done to achieve gender equality in these areas. The persistence of gender stereotypes and the lack of female representation in leadership positions are just some of the challenges that need to be addressed.
What advice would you give to a girl who wants to go down this path?
Don't give up before you've even started. It is important to try to pursue your dreams and, above all, to try to do what you love, regardless of the difficulties along the way. When you have motivation and enthusiasm, you can overcome challenges and obstacles, and getting your projects done is possible. And it often turns out that the roads you have to take are more open than you had imagined.
