Ready to Board: Marta Carissimi becomes an Italian football leader off the pitch

How do you think that the football industry will benefit from a more diverse leadership?

I think diversity is so important at an executive level, as it allows projects and issues to be approached from different standpoints. Working with people with varied backgrounds and experiences from our own helps to promote an open mind and a broader understanding of the industry that we’re working in.

When I first started playing in Iceland I was exposed to not only a different culture, but a completely new perspective of the game. Play was so much more physical, while in Italy we paid more attention to technical skills – it wasn’t better or worse – but just a different approach.

I adapted, and when I came back to Italy I did so as an improved player with a more rounded skillset and vision of the game. I think that’s what every company and industry needs – to learn and be guided by different experiences in order to piece together the full picture, and achieve better results as a consequence.

How have you found the Ready to Board course so far?

It’s been fantastic. Even after the first two weeks I’ve picked up so much that is going to be invaluable to my career – not least of all the self-confidence that I’ve developed as part of the course.

It’s been great meeting all these women who are so passionate and driven in their work, and it’s opened an incredible dialogue. I even recognised some of the participants from my playing days. Diana Matheson and I used to come head-to-head in midfield during the Cyprus Cup while she was representing Canada – she’s very technical and clever, both on the pitch and off!