From the US to Milan: Emilia Fazzalari and Wyc Grousbeck Meet Their Scholars
During their April 2026 visit to Milan, Emilia Fazzalari and Wyc Grousbeck met with their student beneficiaries for a special afternoon of engagement and connection. Over lunch at the restaurant La Tradizionale, seven scholars from two cohorts talked with Emilia and Wyc in a warm and welcoming setting, fostering an open and engaging dialogue.
Seated alongside the most recent beneficiaries, Emilia and Wyc got to know these students and reconnected in person with those they had already met virtually. The conversation began with personal introductions and naturally evolved into a broader exchange on academic journeys, future aspirations, and individual passions.
Throughout lunch, Emilia and Wyc alternated between listening and sharing, offering insights from their own experiences and creating an atmosphere of ease and authenticity. They also reflected on the vision behind their WE DREAM Fund, a project the title of which reflects their names (Wyc and Emilia) and is rooted in a shared commitment to supporting talented women who are first-gen university students as they pursue their educational and career goals. The discussion became a meaningful moment of encouragement and inspiration, through which personal stories, advice, and perspectives strengthened the sense of community and confidence among the students.
Everyone felt the positive impact of the meeting. One student shared her thoughts on the value of connection between students and scholarship supporters: “Meeting Emilia and Wyc and speaking with them was a truly meaningful opportunity. Knowing I have their support has given me the confidence to push myself and aim higher, even when university challenges feel overwhelming. When I first arrived at Bocconi, I often felt out of place, but this experience reminded me that it is normal and that what matters most is finding the strength to keep going. Today, I see how much I have grown, and I am building my path step by step. Sometimes, all it takes is someone who believes in you to help you start believing in yourself.”
Another student highlighted the unique atmosphere at lunch: “I really enjoyed the event, especially because it felt more like a warm, familiar gathering than a formal meeting. Getting to know the people who are supporting me on this journey was very meaningful, and I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable they were and by how strongly they believe in the project and in all of us.”
Special events like Emilia and Wyc’s lunch with the Bocconi student recipients demonstrate the value of direct engagement between donors and students, reinforcing the impact of philanthropic support and the importance of building lasting connections in our expanding Bocconi community.
“Meeting Emilia and Wyc and speaking with them was a truly meaningful opportunity. Knowing I have their support has given me the confidence to push myself and aim higher, even when university challenges feel overwhelming. When I first arrived at Bocconi, I often felt out of place, but this experience reminded me that it is normal and that what matters most is finding the strength to keep going. Today, I see how much I have grown and I am building my path step by step. Sometimes, all it takes is someone who believes in you to help you start believing in yourself.”
Simona Rita Anzani