Giacomo Zeni

Giacomo Zeni is a powerhouse in the world of international business leadership, known for his ability to turn around organizations and lead them to sustainable excellence. With an impressive track record as a CEO and CFO, his journey reflects a fusion of operational mastery and strategic foresight. Having held General Manager roles in diverse international markets, including the Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Romania, Giacomo has been instrumental in setting up startups and scaling them with precision and purpose. His extensive global experience is not only a testament to his professional adaptability but also highlights his deep-rooted expertise in managing legal, fiscal, customs, and commercial challenges across borders.

Giacomo’s approach to leadership is defined by a rare combination of technical expertise and organizational vision. This unique blend has positioned him as the CEO of a leading company in the aluminum sector, where he continues to drive innovation and excellence. His role demands a balance between operational control and strategic growth, and Giacomo excels at both. A natural leader, he possesses a strong ability to motivate and involve teams, creating a culture of empowerment and performance. His entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to building capable teams have earned him respect across international business circles.

His professional credentials extend far beyond executive leadership. Giacomo is a seasoned educator, sharing his knowledge as a teacher of Business Internationalization, Customs Strategic Planning, and Company Organization. He is widely recognized for his contributions to international finance, administration, and the nuances of customs regulations, particularly in areas like Transfer Pricing. His depth of knowledge enables him to guide companies through the complete cycle of internationalization, from market entry strategies to regulatory compliance and operational execution.

His customs expertise is especially noteworthy. Giacomo has mastered the intricacies of customs operations, helping companies optimize import costs and increase margins through strategic planning. His knowledge spans Italian, Russian, Serbian, Ukrainian, and Chinese customs frameworks. Under his leadership, their Companies achieved AEO-F certification (Authorized Economic Exporter), a globally respected standard. He also played a pioneering role in the “Green Corridor” customs protocol between Italy and Russia, being the sole private sector representative selected by Italian Customs for this strategic initiative.

Recognition for his contributions has been both national and international. In 2018, Giacomo was honored with the “People of the Year” award by Russian Business Guide, an accolade supported by the Russian Chamber of Commerce. More recently, his outstanding leadership at Tobanelli Spa led to dual nominations at the prestigious Le Fonti Awards by the Milan Stock Exchange in 2024, Managing Director of the Year for Innovation and Leadership, and Excellence of the Year for the same category.

A strong advocate for professional growth and mentorship, Giacomo was selected as a mentor for the Russian Federation in the Unioncamere “Chamber Mentoring for International Growth” program, joining a group of 300 elite managers from around the globe. His influence has also extended to publishing, as a regular contributor to DOGANE.EXPORT, a specialized magazine on customs affairs, where he led the popular column “Best Practice” from 2015 to 2018.

Giacomo Zeni’s journey is one marked by cross-border expertise, transformational leadership, and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of what’s possible in international business. As a visionary equipped with practical insights and a passion for developing people and processes, he is without a doubt one of the world’s top leaders to follow in 2025.