Honorary Master’s Degree upon Cristina Bombassei
The Politecnico di Milano has awarded an honorary Master's Degree in Management Engineering - Ingegneria Gestionale to Cristina Bombassei, Director and Chief Legacy Officer of Brembo, in recognition of her prominent role in Italian entrepreneurship and her contribution to the development of innovative ethical and sustainable business models. This is the first time in the history of Politecnico di Milano that a woman has received an honorary degree in the field of engineering.
In her lectio magistralis entitled “Being Good Ancestors”, Cristina Bombassei, summarizing her long-standing commitment to sustainability, said:
Sustainability is a journey that requires vision, action and perseverance, but also a dash of courage and incredible passion [...]. Together we can be part of a generation that not only acts for the sake of the present, but leaves a legacy of sustainability and justice. I like to think that each of us leaves a mark; each of us through everyday choices can make a difference.
Cristina Bombassei has been committed for years to the development of Brembo's sustainability strategy and the implementation of various initiatives in the social and environmental spheres, contributing significantly to the Group's ability to pursue sustainable growth despite global challenges and the radical changes taking place in the automotive sector.
Cristina Bombassei has been a director at Brembo, a leading global group in braking solutions, since 1997. In 2013, she founded Brembo's Sustainability Department, which she led until 2024 with the goal of promoting the Group's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.
From 2025, she holds the position of Chief Legacy Officer with the aim of preserving and promoting Brembo's history and heritage of values, as well as fostering the Group's positive social impact for the well-being of the local communities in which the company operates.
In 2021 she was awarded the honor of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. She has been President of AIDAF, the Italian Family Business Association, since 2023.
Her multiple roles include: member of the General Council of Confindustria Bergamo, the Board of Directors of OTB - Only The Brave, and the Board of Directors of the Comitato Leonardo, the UN Global Compact Network Italia, and the Sodalitas Foundation. She is also an honorary member of the Fondazione Cesvi humanitarian organization, and a director of Kilometrorosso S.p.A., the Innovation District on the outskirts of Bergamo.