Intesa Sanpaolo – Oxford University: MBA scholarships for future women leaders
11 July 2025
Intesa Sanpaolo and the University of Oxford have had a strategic partnership since 2017, which has grown over time through numerous initiatives in the academic, cultural, and social spheres.
One of the most impactful initiatives is the awarding of MBA Graduate Scholarships: full scholarships for women at Oxford’s Saïd Business School, affiliated with Green Templeton College.
These scholarships — which also include maternity support — represent a tangible commitment to women’s empowerment, enabling talented young women, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to study at Oxford and enjoy an exceptional educational experience free from financial stress.
The MBA Graduate Scholarships have had a real impact on the personal and professional lives of recipients, contributing to greater gender equality and fairer access to education and management training.
As Sir Michael Dixon, Principal of Green Templeton College, notes: “This is what university-business partnerships should be about — creating tangible, real-world impact”:
Below are a number of testimonials from young women who took part in the MBA, coming from diverse countries and backgrounds. Thanks to the Bank’s support, they were able to undertake a successful journey of professional growth.
The testimonials were collected during a dedicated event organized by Intesa Sanpaolo for current and former scholarship recipients, aimed at offering networking opportunities with several of the Bank’s managers.
The event also offered a chance to explore strategic topics for Intesa Sanpaolo and its Business Plan — as well as key trends shaping the future of every industry — such as:
- Innovation & entrepreneurship for a sustainable development, through start-up scale programs, the circular economy and ESG drivers
- Technology revolution, how the finance sector and Intesa Sanpaolo are paving their own ways
- Culture and its relevance in business and in our society as a whole.
The Intesa Sanpaolo managers involved, who shared their insights and experiences following the introduction by Chairman Gian Maria Gros-Pietro, were: Roberta Accettura, Executive Director IMI CIB Human Resources & Change Management; Matteo Boaglio, Head of Institutional Special Projects and Policies; Silvia Botto, Executive Director IMI CIB Strategies & Marketing; Giacomo Castri, Executive Director Attraction Skills and Learning Strategy; Antonella Crippa, Fair Value and Art Advisory Coordinator, Art, Culture and Heritage; Alessandro Dordolo, Executive Director IBD Human Resources & Change Management; Silvio Fraternali, Executive Director Innovation & Business Support Reengineering; Greta Greco, Head of A.I. Delivery Factory Business Divisions; Laura Maida, Executive Director Esg Steering; Jacques Moscianese, Executive Director Institutional Affairs; Desiree Pasa, Head of People Development; Chiara Pastorino, Executive Director People Management & Development; Massimiano Tellini, Senior Director, Circular Economy; Antonio Valitutti, Executive Director Digital Channels, Banca dei Territori.
The strategic collaboration between Intesa Sanpaolo and the University of Oxford
Intesa Sanpaolo is one of the University of Oxford’s leading benefactors. Its partnership with the University spans multiple key areas:
- Academic research at the Saïd Business School, funding pioneering studies on corporate reputation, legitimacy, and trust
- MBA scholarships for women (Green Templeton College)
- Promotion of Italian culture, such as the “Last Supper in Pompeii” exhibition (2019) at the Ashmolean Museum — the most visited in the museum’s history
- Support for the Oxford Italian Society and other Italian cultural networks
- Contribution to Worcester College, funding restoration projects (library, boat house) and supporting both the men’s and women’s rowing teams.
Intesa Sanpaolo has also supported the renovation of the Roman and Etruscan Galleries at the Ashmolean Museum — part of the University — expanding and modernising the spaces to make Italian archaeological heritage more accessible and engaging for wider audiences.
The Bank actively participates in the University community by delivering student lectures, collaborating in teaching, and co-publishing research.
Its contribution has been formally recognized with the inclusion of its name on the Clarendon Arch, alongside great benefactors such as Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Sir Thomas Bodley, founder of the Bodleian Library.
