Meet Miriam Bastianello, Managing Director of Odoo Italy

Becoming a Managing Director at 28 years old is no ordinary feat. Being a young woman at the helm of a rapidly growing company in a predominantly male industry is even rarer. Yet, Miriam Bastianello embodies this role perfectly, steering the growth of Odoo Italy with a clear vision, unwavering determination, and contagious energy.

But how does one rise to such a significant leadership position in just a few years? Miriam’s story is proof that talent, commitment, and a meritocratic environment are fundamental to building an extraordinary career path. 

Miriam’s journey with Odoo began in 2020 when she joined the sales team as an Account Manager for the EMEA market. Her first impression of the company was strikingly different from what one might expect from a multinational. “Right from the start, they gave me real responsibilities, entrusting me with complex projects.” But if there’s one thing that has always defined her journey—both personal and professional—it’s her relentless drive to prove that a different path is possible. Her mantra? “Prove someone wrong.”

This mindset pushed her to give her best, and as a result, Miriam quickly rose through the ranks. Within a few years, she became a Coach, mentoring new team members. Then, in 2021, she was promoted to Team Leader. “This promotion, which I didn’t expect at all, was a true turning point: from that moment, I realized that my ideal job was no longer just about sales. I understood that I finally had the opportunity to be part of people’s growth journeys. I could play a decisive role in their lives, helping them develop and flourish professionally. To this day, this remains my greatest satisfaction.”

Then, in 2023, the big challenge arrived: she was appointed Managing Director of Odoo Italy. A leap into the unknown? Perhaps. But also a unique opportunity. “At first, I was quite overwhelmed, mainly because this decision meant reevaluating my entire personal life: after years as an expat, I would have to return to Italy and start over in a new city.”

But Miriam is not someone who shies away from stepping out of her comfort zone—quite the opposite. She had a clear vision from the beginning. And so, within just a few weeks, she accepted the challenge of founding Odoo’s Italian branch from scratch. “I didn’t have a predefined roadmap: I had to—and could—build it myself, starting with choosing the city where we would open the office, which ultimately became Milan.”

Once again, Miriam poured all her grit and ambition into proving she could succeed, with the goal of "exporting" Odoo’s business model to Italy: an innovative and agile company that is constantly evolving, fostering a workplace built on autonomy, responsibility, and meritocratic growth. And she succeeded.

As of today, Odoo Italy is a young, dynamic, and rapidly expanding company, with over 50 employees and an average age of 28 years old. It’s a model Miriam firmly believes in: “Working with very young yet highly mature people is what I find most stimulating. It frustrates me that younger generations are often underestimated: not believing in young people means wasting resources and opportunities. With Odoo Italy, I want to prove the value of an environment that empowers and nurtures talent from day one.”

A model based on collaboration and transparency: “Here, there are no barriers between junior and senior employees, between managers and staff. We work together, support each other, and, most importantly, constantly learn from one another.”

Odoo Italy's team in June 2023 vs. October 2024.

As of March 2025, the team has +50 employees and it keeps growing.  

In Italy, where female leadership still faces a certain degree of cultural resistance, Miriam’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. “Leadership roles are still predominantly male. It wasn’t uncommon to find myself in meetings or situations where I was the only young woman at the table. Sometimes, I sensed skepticism or doubt. At first, I have to admit, this bothered me. Often, there was an instinctive reaction of surprise simply because Italy is used to a different reality. But then I realized that the key was not to let it affect me. I have always believed in my abilities, and that has helped me stay unfazed by certain dynamics.”

The real satisfaction came just a year later when Miriam proved to those same skeptical interlocutors that everything she had envisioned the previous year was now a concrete reality.

Another challenge she faced was transitioning from colleague to leader. “When you grow professionally within the same company, you find yourself leading people who were once your peers or even your friends. At first, it can feel strange, but I have always tried to maintain an authentic and transparent approach. It’s not about asserting authority, but about creating an environment where the team feels supported and motivated, about giving feedback when necessary, and asking for extra effort when required.”

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“There’s no predefined path. Often, it’s about being in the right place at the right time, so it’s crucial to seize opportunities. My advice? Try to truly understand what it means to take on a leadership role. There’s a lot of idealization around these positions, which is why I suggest talking to those who have already embarked on a similar journey and gaining a deep understanding of what it entails.”

What sets Miriam apart as a leader is her style, which is based on trust, autonomy, and a strong sense of responsibility.

“I want my team to feel free to make decisions. Odoo challenges you, but it also provides the resources to grow. I was given this opportunity, and I want those who work with me to have the same space to express their potential and prove their worth.”

For Miriam, a true leader is not afraid to surround themselves with people who are more skilled than they are: “I want people who are better than me on my team. It makes no sense to surround yourself with less capable professionals just to feel superior. Plus, one thing I’ve learned during my experience as a Team Leader at Odoo is that there’s no single approach to leadership: you have the power to shape it and decide what kind of leader you want to be for your team.”

Today, Miriam has a clear goal: to keep fueling Odoo Italy’s growth and contribute to the digital transformation of Italian businesses.

“Our country still has vast untapped potential. Many companies operate with outdated processes, using a myriad of tools that slow down their business. Odoo brings a real revolution: proving that digitalization is not just a necessity, but a competitive advantage.”

Odoo stands out for its accessibility and simplicity, enabling companies of all sizes to innovate and make a difference. “Digitalization should not be a luxury for the few, but an opportunity for all. And Odoo is here to make it accessible to everyone.”

But it’s not just about software—it’s about people. “Looking at our workplace, I can confidently say that what we are building in Italy is something innovative: my goal is to show that it is possible to empower young people from day one, trusting their skills and potential.”

However, Miriam firmly believes that the work environment should never be taken for granted or considered solely the responsibility of HR. It is a collective project, one that every team member must contribute to with commitment.

She adds: “Odoo Italy has grown because we have invested in the right people: young, motivated talents eager to innovate. My mission is to continue down this path, create opportunities for young professionals, and build an environment where anyone with talent can thrive.”

And with leaders like Miriam at the helm, the future of digitalization in Italy can only be bright.