RECAP | Business Roundtable with Kilpatrick, 13.05, Shanghai

On May 13, 2025, the company Kilpatrick Group, with the support of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC), successfully organized the business roundtable titled: “Leadership in the Era of US Trade War: strategies for people adaptation and growth challenges.” The event was hosted at the Intesa Sanpaolo Office in Shanghai and brought together company representatives from different sectors to discuss the recruitment strategies and the skills required in today’s complex world.

The event started with a brief introduction by Emilio Cassanelli, Member of the CICC Board of Directors and Mario Huang, General Manager of Intesa Sanpaolo Shanghai branch. The talk was moderated by Roberto Donà, Professor of Practice in Management and Strategy, Management and Organizations at BSS@XJTLU. The panel of speakers included Jacob Hoekstra and Cristina Spagna, CEOs of Kilpatrick Group, who shared valuable insights on leadership and workforce realignment. They were joined by Giacomo Rustioni, Director at New Sky – Risk Management Consulting, and Marco Leporati, former President of Savino del Bene Co. Limited Shanghai, who offered their perspectives on how companies can navigate today’s evolving landscape—marked by the ongoing dynamics of the US Trade War—through resilient leadership, strategic people adaptation, and sustainable growth planning.

The speakers engaged in a productive discussion with the 40 participants, who raised questions and made insightful observations.

The event concluded with an aperitif provided by Bella Vita, during which the attendees had the chance to share their experiences and connect.

The CICC would like to thank the Kilpatrick Group, all the participants, the speakers and Intesa Sanpaolo Office for its hospitality.

As always, the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce continues to support Italian companies with targeted events that not only promote Made in Italy but also provide opportunities for updates, networking, and strengthening relationships with local authorities, supporting Italian businesses in their growth and success in the Chinese market.

For further information, feel free to send an email to sh.events@cameraitacina.com