Code Girl: Paola’s journey through curiosity and cybersecurity

Curiosity has always been Paola Mancini’s compass. Her career shows that not all paths are straight — some twist and turn, leading to new opportunities, growth, and purpose.

From curiosity to code

Paola began her studies at a technical high school specializing in computer science, an uncommon choice at the time. She had always been fascinated by technology — but also drawn to social engagement and the arts. Her curiosity for learning and connecting with others guided every decision she made.

After graduation, she earned a scholarship in Electronic Engineering in southern Italy while volunteering at a community support center. There, she discovered a competition for admission to a Social Services degree program — and once again followed her instincts. That decision led her down a new, unexpected path.

A leap into innovation

A life-changing opportunity arrived soon after: Italtel reached out for a selection of candidates with technical backgrounds. In 2001, at just 23 years old, Paola moved to Milan to join the Software Research and Development team, working on Softswitch technology, the core of early VoIP networks.

As her career evolved, she embraced new challenges. By 2015, she was leading End-to-End delivery projects — from defining requirements to implementation and customer support throughout the entire lifecycle.

Later, she began collaborating with Cisco, joining Cisco Italy’s Innovation Team as an Evangelist for the Collaboration platform. She also participated in the Cisco DevNet international program, connecting people, ideas, and technologies through hackathons, incubators, and university projects. Her contribution helped grow the developer community in Italy, earning her the DevNet Creator Award EMEAR in 2020.

Facing the cybersecurity challenge

A new chapter began when Paola transitioned into cybersecurity, one of Italtel’s most strategic business areas. Today, within the Engineering team, she contributes to software development, solution design, and customer projects — from IT/OT cybersecurity integration to Security Assessments and Proof of Concepts.

Working in a traditionally male-dominated field, Paola has helped foster a culture where skills, commitment, and collaboration define success — not gender. She plays an active role in driving digital transformation across the company and takes pride in delivering real, measurable impact.

Mentorship and growth

Paola also dedicates time to mentoring and coaching young professionals. For her, guiding someone at the start of their career means recognizing their unique perspective and helping them build confidence. Watching new colleagues grow into skilled, independent contributors is one of the most rewarding parts of her journey.

At Italtel, continuous learning is part of the culture: from professional certifications and e-learning courses to cloud-based penetration testing and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.

Paola also values the company’s flexible and inclusive environment, where smart working supports a healthy work-life balance.

Empowering the next generation

Her message to young people — especially to girls entering STEM fields — is both simple and powerful