{"id":101019,"date":"2025-04-07T15:46:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T15:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=101019"},"modified":"2025-04-11T12:05:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T12:05:10","slug":"game-changers-mariangela-zappia-grazia-usa-spring-2025","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/game-changers-mariangela-zappia-grazia-usa-spring-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Game Changers: Mariangela Zappia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Game Changers: Mariangela Zappia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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If there’s one thing Italian ambassador to the United States, Mariangela Zappia<\/a>, knows, it\u2019s how to embrace change. With more than 40 years in diplomacy, her career has been a whirlwind of countries, languages, and cultures. From navigating international security crises to orchestrating high-stakes negotiations, her journey is nothing short of extraordinary.<\/p>\n

Zappia is Italy\u2019s first female ambassador to the United States, a groundbreaking milestone in a career filled with firsts. She has paved the way for future generations of women in diplomacy by demonstrating that leadership, resilience, and strategic vision can drive success in even the most male-dominated fields.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI always look forward, not back,\u201d says Zappia, a philosophy that has helped her navigate the ever-evolving world of diplomacy. With roles ranging from African development and migration policies to press strategies and defense, she\u2019s tackled a broad spectrum of global challenges.<\/p>\n

Diplomacy is both an adventure and a lesson in patience. Two iconic women have shaped Zappia\u2019s approach: Oriana Fallaci, the fiercely independent Italian journalist, and Angela Merkel, whose resilience and strategic thinking set a gold standard for leadership as Germany\u2019s chancellor. Closer to home, her parents instilled a deep-rooted sense of duty\u2014lessons in dedication from a father who served Italy as a high-ranking officer of the Carabinieri and later, in retirement, as a mediator in legal proceedings as giudice di pace, a justice of the peace\u2014and strength from a mother who was the cornerstone of their family\u2019s success.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother provided behind-the-scenes leadership and support to me, my brother and my two sisters,\u201d Zappia explains. \u201cShe taught us strength and determination. She was the glue of the family.”<\/p>\n

Diplomacy remains a tough field for women, and Zappia is determined to change that. \u201cI make a point to keep the ladder in place for other women to climb,\u201d she says. Having lacked female mentors early in her career, she now actively guides young diplomats, ensuring that women in the field feel encouraged, supported, and empowered to push boundaries.<\/p>\n

Benjamin Franklin famously said, \u201cBy failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.\u201d That philosophy resonates deeply with Zappia. Balancing long-term diplomatic goals with immediate demands requires intuition, vision, and, most importantly, teamwork. \u201cIt\u2019s so much easier\u2014and way more fun\u2014to achieve objectives when working with a team,\u201d she emphasizes.<\/p>\n

For those who think diplomacy is all grand speeches and formal handshakes, think again. The process mirrors any successful business strategy: Identify the issue, set objectives, map out possible paths, craft a compelling narrative, and engage allies while managing opposition. Adaptability is key\u2014because, in diplomacy, as in life, things rarely go exactly as planned.<\/p>\n

Arriving in Washington in 2021, Zappia was tasked with reinvigorating Italy-U.S. relations post-pandemic. The results speak for themselves. From high-profile visits between Italian and U.S. leaders to the historic 2023 Joint Statement solidifying deeper cooperation, Italy has reinforced its strategic partnership with the U.S.<\/p>\n

The future of Italy-U.S. relations is all about innovation. Zappia envisions stronger cooperation in digital advancements, space exploration, biotechnology, energy, and artificial intelligence. \u201cThese are the foundations of our future prosperity,\u201d she affirms. With a clear vision and unwavering determination, she\u2019s ensuring Italy continues to shine on the global stage\u2014one diplomatic breakthrough at a time.<\/p>\n

Read GRAZIA USA\u2019<\/em>s Spring Issue<\/a> featuring cover star Paris Hilton<\/a>:<\/strong><\/h4>\n