Ms. Villa brings to Korn Ferry over fifteen years of executive search experience. Prior to her current position, she served as vice chairman and managing partner, Italy for another leading executive search firm. She also held the roles of partner, financial services practice and principal upon joining the firm in 1995. Ms. Villa has successfully conducted assignments for international and domestic financial institutions, such as major domestic and international banks, investment funds, asset management companies, insurance companies and international legal firms. Her main focus is on the recruitment of CEOs, CFOs, Board members, heads of financial products and other senior-level executives operating in any financial area. Previously, Ms. Villa was head of the private equity investment department and corporate finance of Cofilp for eight years, which is now operating as Gruppo Banco Popolare. In particular, she was responsible for portfolio investment activity. Earlier, she served as director of corporate finance at Cominvest, a private financial company, and as manager of FIG corporate clients at Barclays Bank. She began her career at Banque Bruxelles Lambert Milan as a relationship manager for corporate clients. Ms. Villa graduated from L. Bocconi University, Milan with a degree in business administration, specializing in finance. After graduating, she taught finance, industrial policies and stock market at Bocconi University.