Altagamma names Giovanna Vitelli new president starting in 2026.
A change in leadership is on the horizon for Altagamma, the association encompassing 124 prominent companies across Italy's luxury sectors, including fashion, design, jewelry, food, hospitality, automotive, and yachting. Starting June 1, 2026, Giovanna Vitelli will take over as president, succeeding Matteo Lunelli, who currently serves as president and CEO of the Lunelli Group and has completed two terms leading the foundation. Vitelli will lead the association for the 2026-2028 term, having already been an active member of Altagamma since 2023, serving specifically as vice president for the yachting sector.
As the president of Azimut|Benetti, a global leader in megayacht construction, Vitelli brings extensive experience to the role. She initially joined the Azimut|Benetti Group, founded by her father in 1969, in 2004. Her ascent within the company saw her become vice president in 2016 and eventually president in 2023. Before entering the family business, Vitelli pursued a career in law, practicing at the corporate law firm Bonelli, Erede & Pappalardo until 2004, following her graduation with a law degree.
Beyond her primary role at Azimut|Benetti, Vitelli holds additional responsibilities within the yachting industry, serving as president of Marina di Varazze and vice president of SYBAss, an international association for leading superyacht builders. Her entrepreneurial ventures also extend into five-star mountain hospitality, where she owns the Hôtellerie de Mascognaz in the Aosta Valley and the Grand Hotel des Alpes in Chamonix. Vitelli has further served as the honorary consul of Norway for Piedmont and the Aosta Valley since 2018. Her accomplishments were formally recognized in 2024 when she received EY’s 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award.
