Vicenzaoro Highlights, January 2025: Towards a Holistic Thought
How does a company become B Corp? Alice Vanni, CSR Director and Board Member at Italpreziosi Spa, talks about the process for obtaining sustainability certification
The Second Round of CIBJO Seminars: A Focus on the Next Generations
The second round of CIBJO seminars opened with a focus on the role of future generations. Among the speakers was Alice Vanni, CSR Director and Board Member of Italpreziosi Spa. Alice represents the determination and vision necessary to drive innovation in the traditional precious metals sector. With a background in international relations and extensive experience in institutional settings and think tanks, she is now a pivotal figure in Italpreziosi's sustainable transition. She contributed significantly to the company’s achievement of B Corp certification, a concrete symbol of its commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
What were the main challenges Italpreziosi faced in becoming a B Corp?
"Our sustainability journey started well before considering B Corp certification," Alice explained. "As early as 2008, under the visionary leadership of our CEO and founder, Ivana Ciabatti, we integrated ethical and sustainable principles into our business strategies, anticipating the needs of an evolving sector. B Corp certification represents a natural progression of a broader, more entrenched process, rather than a starting or end point."
Alice highlighted key challenges, such as harmonizing the company’s entire ecosystem within a holistic vision—ranging from supply chain management to partnerships—ensuring that all decisions aligned with the core values of transparency, inclusion, and respect for people and the environment. Another crucial aspect was fostering a cultural shift within the company, involving every team member and emphasizing the importance of individual contributions to achieving shared goals.
What was the most significant moment in the B Corp certification process?
Achieving B Corp certification was a rigorous but profoundly rewarding journey. Alice noted that adapting the B Lab’s BIA Assessment to Italpreziosi’s industry was particularly challenging, as the evaluation criteria are generally designed for a wide range of sectors.
"The main challenge was interpreting how to apply global BIA standards to our context and incorporating essential themes such as responsible sourcing of raw materials and natural resource management. This process made us realize that Italpreziosi is not just a company but a responsible and integral player in the supply chain of precious metals and jewelry," she emphasized.
What themes will you address in your CIBJO talk regarding generational transition?
Alice explained that her presentation would focus on balancing tradition and innovation—two essential pillars for ensuring a successful generational transition. "I’ll emphasize the importance of inclusive leadership, which fosters dialogue between generations and enables the transfer of not just technical and soft skills, but also a more ethical and sustainable vision of business. This approach helps companies adapt and thrive in the face of changing market demands," she said.
She also stressed the importance of demonstrating that being a B Corp is not just about recognition but signifies a tangible commitment to redefining the business model in a more ethical and sustainable manner. "As our CEO Ivana Ciabatti often says, the strength of B Corp lies in the collaboration across the community. Building synergies between companies with shared values is vital for amplifying positive impacts and accelerating change in our industry."
Alice concluded her talk with a call to action: "Let’s continue working together and engaging in conversations about sustainability to build a community that shares values, goals, and ambitions for the collective good."
The second round of CIBJO seminars opened with a focus on the role of future generations. Among the speakers was Alice Vanni, CSR Director and Board Member of Italpreziosi Spa. Alice represents the determination and vision necessary to drive innovation in the traditional precious metals sector. With a background in international relations and extensive experience in institutional settings and think tanks, she is now a pivotal figure in Italpreziosi's sustainable transition. She contributed significantly to the company’s achievement of B Corp certification, a concrete symbol of its commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
What were the main challenges Italpreziosi faced in becoming a B Corp?
"Our sustainability journey started well before considering B Corp certification," Alice explained. "As early as 2008, under the visionary leadership of our CEO and founder, Ivana Ciabatti, we integrated ethical and sustainable principles into our business strategies, anticipating the needs of an evolving sector. B Corp certification represents a natural progression of a broader, more entrenched process, rather than a starting or end point."
Alice highlighted key challenges, such as harmonizing the company’s entire ecosystem within a holistic vision—ranging from supply chain management to partnerships—ensuring that all decisions aligned with the core values of transparency, inclusion, and respect for people and the environment. Another crucial aspect was fostering a cultural shift within the company, involving every team member and emphasizing the importance of individual contributions to achieving shared goals.
What was the most significant moment in the B Corp certification process?
Achieving B Corp certification was a rigorous but profoundly rewarding journey. Alice noted that adapting the B Lab’s BIA Assessment to Italpreziosi’s industry was particularly challenging, as the evaluation criteria are generally designed for a wide range of sectors.
"The main challenge was interpreting how to apply global BIA standards to our context and incorporating essential themes such as responsible sourcing of raw materials and natural resource management. This process made us realize that Italpreziosi is not just a company but a responsible and integral player in the supply chain of precious metals and jewelry," she emphasized.
What themes will you address in your CIBJO talk regarding generational transition?
Alice explained that her presentation would focus on balancing tradition and innovation—two essential pillars for ensuring a successful generational transition. "I’ll emphasize the importance of inclusive leadership, which fosters dialogue between generations and enables the transfer of not just technical and soft skills, but also a more ethical and sustainable vision of business. This approach helps companies adapt and thrive in the face of changing market demands," she said.
She also stressed the importance of demonstrating that being a B Corp is not just about recognition but signifies a tangible commitment to redefining the business model in a more ethical and sustainable manner. "As our CEO Ivana Ciabatti often says, the strength of B Corp lies in the collaboration across the community. Building synergies between companies with shared values is vital for amplifying positive impacts and accelerating change in our industry."
Alice concluded her talk with a call to action: "Let’s continue working together and engaging in conversations about sustainability to build a community that shares values, goals, and ambitions for the collective good."
