Dr. Francesco Galietti

Co-founder and CEO

Francesco heads political risk and non-market strategy advisory. His professional track record before founding Policy Sonar includes senior posts with a variety of Italian public institutions (Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti). He teaches Political risk analysis at LUISS University and serves as adjunct professor of scenarios analysis and strategic foresight at LUISS Business School. Francesco is also a research affiliate at the SovereigNET centre of TUFTS/Fletcher in Boston. Francesco is a columnist for the fine Italian weekly Panorama, and his comments are featured regularly across the FT, The Economist, Guardian, Times of London, Telegraph, Asia Times, Reuters, Bloomberg, DPA, Al Jazeera. Francesco authored and co-authored several books on Italy’s ‘institutional porosity’. He earned a PhD in Law and Economics from TU Darmstadt, Germany. Francesco is fluent in Italian, English, German and French.

Dr. Letizia Zingoni

Founder and COO

Letizia heads research and operations at Policy Sonar. Her areas of expertise include infrastructure, energy, hi-tech, circular economy, food and beverage. She conducts preliminary risk assessments and strategic determinants’ analysis, and oversees stakeholder strategic engagement for Policy Sonar clients. Earlier in her career, Letizia worked in public expenditure analysis with the procurement arm of the Italian Ministry of Finance, as well as in equity research with US and domestic investors. Letizia is a business graduate from Bocconi University, and a CFA holder. She earned a PhD in political science from LUISS University in Rome, Italy, and her thesis dealt with National security implications of Chinese Foreign Direct investments in host democratic countries. Letizia is a research affiliate at the SovereigNET centre of TUFTS/Fletcher in Boston. Letizia is fluent in Italian, English and Mandarin Chinese.

Chris Emsden

COO

Chris is the head of strategic communications. He is a trained anthropologist with more than 20 years of experience at major news organizations, including The New York Times, International Herald Tribune and the Wall Street Journal, mostly spent in Europe. He served as European Economics editor at Dow Jones, publisher of the Wall Street Journal, and as bureau chief in Rome from the outset of the euro-zone crisis. He has a special interest in the way legislative and reform initiatives can have unexpected interactions with existing beliefs and institutions. Christopher holds an M. Phil. from Australian National University. He is fluent in Italian, English, Spanish and French.

Carlo Conte

Public Finance counsel

Carlo is an expert of regulatory impact analysis. This activity helps our clients foresee and evaluate the impact of new proposed policy on citizens, businesses and public administrations. He is a professor of Public Finance at the National State Academy (Scuola Nazionale dell’Amministrazione). He is a veteran of the Italian Treasury, and held senior posts within the State’s Comptroller Office (Ragioneria Generale dello Stato), as well as with the state pension fund (INPS) board of auditors and ENEL, the state-owned energy giant. Carlo is a chartered accountant, and he graduated in economics from Sapienza University in Rome, Italy. He is fluent in Italian and English.

Dr. Alfredo Iorfida

Legislative Monitoring counsel

Alfredo is a senior legislative monitoring expert. He has substantial expertise of legislative monitoring at European, national and local level. He provides in-depth understanding of regulatory mechanisms, dates of discussion, adoption and implementation. Alfredo earned a PhD in Law and Economics from Federico II University of Naples, and is a lawyer admitted to bar. He speaks Italian and English.

Nicola Sirtori

Tax Policy counsel

Nicola is a chartered accountant and tax advisor. He oversees tax policy and ruling drafting. Nicola is an expert in VAT and corporate tax, tax restructuring and planning for domestic and multinational companies, including banks and insurance, M&A, IPO and structured finance. Nicola worked as a senior associate in one of Italy’s finest tax advisory firms until 2013, when he set up his own shop in Milan in addition to his work with Policy Sonar. Nicola graduated in business administration from Bocconi University in Milan. He has an extensive boardroom and auditor experience. He speaks Italian and English.

Giovanni Vagnone

Engagement Specialist

Giovanni is Policy Sonar’s expert in digital communication, campaigning and PR. His professional track record includes strategic communications projects for both political parties and corporate clients in Italy and in UK. In addition to his work with Policy Sonar he set up his Turin-based communications consultancy, Retro Consulting Group, specializing in digital marketing, web and graphic design. Giovanni is a chartered journalist. He holds a degree in law from the University of Torino and an advanced degree in public policy management from Bocconi University. He is fluent in Italian and English.