From unibz to Sweden’s leader of the future
By Giulia Maria Marchetti
Internationality is one of the key strengths of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. It attracts motivated students and shapes graduates who are open to the world and ready to thrive in international environments. Keren Bottaro is a prime example of how the global outlook fostered at our university can help form leaders whose talent is recognized both in Italy and abroad.
Miss Bottaro completed her Bachelor's degree in Economics and Management at unibz before moving to Sweden to pursue a Master's in Accounting and Management Control. She quickly fell in love with the country, its language, and culture, and has now been living there for over five years.
In Sweden, and somewhat by chance, she entered the vehicle and tyre industry, gaining valuable experience as a financial controller in renowned companies such as Scania and Pirelli. Then came her big opportunity: last year, she was appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Yokohama Scandinavia, the Nordic subsidiary of the global tyre company Yokohama, at just 29 years old! Miss Bottaro now oversees all financial and accounting aspects of the company, ensuring its operations run smoothly and sustainably.
Her exceptional career path was recently recognized with a spot on Ledarna’s “75 Swedish Female Leaders of the Future” list. This annual ranking by the leadership organisation Ledarna highlights Sweden’s top female leaders under 35, chosen for their achievements, leadership potential and personal attributes.
“I wasn’t expecting the nomination, I was really surprised,” Miss Bottaro admits. “For me, this is just the beginning. I’ve only recently taken on a leadership role and I still have a lot to learn. But this recognition motivates me to become the leader I aspire to be.” She credits her leadership development to two important mentors: “I’m very grateful to my supervisors during my traineeship at Fercam and my time at Scania. They showed me how to recognize people’s strengths and weaknesses and how to manage conflict. They were my role models.”
Miss Bottaro also points to her studies at unibz as a key part of her journey. “Coming from Lombardy, studying in Milan was the obvious choice, but I was looking for something different, an experience that felt more personal and international. Aside from a strong academic foundation, unibz offers a small but truly international environment. That experience really helped me when I moved to Sweden.” Asked what advice she would give current unibz students, Miss Bottaro reflects: “I’d say the same thing to them as I would to the younger Keren. Embrace fear: it will help you make important decisions. And be passionate. I was never the best student in the class, but passion and determination are what carry you forward in your career.”