A leader shaped through experience, resilience, and a passion for innovation, Mimmo Zappi applies a dynamic and people-centric approach in his role as Chief Commercial Officer at Retelit. With a strong love for soccer, technology, adventure, and travel, his personal journey has profoundly influenced his leadership style; one built on adaptability, perseverance, and a strong sense of purpose.
Mimmo’s career is an evidence of implementation. From navigating challenges to driving success, he understands that the key to progressing lies in fostering trust, collaboration, and a clear vision. The most defining moment of his career came during the COVID-19 crisis, when, as a Country Manager, he led his team 24/7, swiftly developing a global framework that guaranteed business continuity while prioritizing the well-being of employees and their families.
A life changing experience came along when he and his family decided to adopt a 5-year old daughter from Vietnam. This moment reshaped his perspective about values of resilience, empathy, and responsibility which now guide his professional and personal life
With a firm belief in Heraclitus’ wisdom “the only constant in life is change”—Mimmo Zappi continues to lead with passion and agility, ensuring that transformation is not just managed, but embraced, to drive meaningful success for colleagues, partners, and clients alike.
A Visionary Leader Driving Innovation
Born in Rome and raised in Trieste, Mimmo grew up under the influence of Austro-Hungarian culture, organization, and discipline—a contrast to the rich diversity of Sicily, his wife’s homeland. Holding a degree in Political Science, he has built an impressive career in the telecommunications industry, where his passion for innovation, technology, and transformation has been a constant driving force.
Currently serving as Chief Commercial Officer at Retelit, one of Italy’s largest B2B telecommunications providers, Mimmo brings extensive experience from his time at Colt Technology Services. There, he held various leadership positions in Italy and globally, including Global Sales Vice President for the Enterprise market, overseeing direct and indirect sales teams across multiple cultures and regions. He also spent seven years as Country Manager of Colt Italy and previously worked at Telecom Italia and the National Economic & Labour Council (CNEL). His industry engagement extends to his role as a former General Council member of Asstel, Italy’s telecom trade association.
“From an early age, I demonstrated an innate curiosity for technology continuously experimenting with electronic circuits, dismantling and reassembling toys, often achieving either groundbreaking results or household disasters. This lifelong passion for discovery and innovation naturally led me to a career in telecommunications, an industry built on transformation and progress.” says Mimmo.
Beyond his professional life, Mimmo is deeply passionate about soccer, cutting-edge technology, mountain climbing, and traveling with his family. A defining personal milestone came in December 2022, when he and his wife adopted a five-year-old daughter from Vietnam—a life-changing experience that reinforced his belief in resilience, inclusion, and the power of human connection.
Mimmo Zappi credits his parents as his first role models, instilling in him values of integrity, inclusion, discipline, and hard work. “Throughout my career, I have been guided by mentors who have helped me balance humility and ambition, understand when to adapt versus when to drive change, and develop a vision that inspires and engages others.” says Mimmo Zappi. His commitment to CSR initiatives has further strengthened his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of credibility, vision, and a people-first approach.
As a leader, Mimmo Zappi’s journey is a testament to innovation, adaptability, and purpose, shaping not just his career but also the way he inspires teams, partners, and clients in an ever-evolving industry.
Leadership Through Trust, Transparency, and Transformation
“Be transparent, be approachable, be reliable, that’s my take on leadership. I believe in fostering a safe and open environment—where people feel empowered to express themselves and take risks—is the foundation for collaboration, innovation, and success.” he says
When he joined Retelit, Mimmo Zappi dedicated his first three months to truly understanding the organization, conducting 141 one-on-one meetings to listen, ask questions, and gather ideas on how to improve teamwork, speed up innovation, and enhance productivity. One of his first initiatives was the introduction of an internal newsletter, ensuring that communication across the company remained open, candid, and transparent, keeping everyone aligned with leadership decisions and company progress.
His approach extends beyond internal teams to clients and partners, reinforcing trust and authenticity. A recent voicemail from a customer captured this perfectly: “I need to take an important business decision. I need to speak with someone I trust. Could you please call me back ASAP?” This moment validated his belief that true leadership is about building credibility through expertise, objectivity, and a commitment to sharing knowledge and industry best practices.
Leading Through Change with Integrity
Mimmo Zappi firmly believes that leaders cannot drive change without first listening and connecting with people. “Change is often met with resistance, not necessarily because it is the wrong decision, but because people may not understand why it is necessary. For transformation to be successful, leaders must ensure that their actions align with their words, as trust is quickly lost when words and actions don’t match.” he says
Reflecting on the journey, Mimmo Zappi paraphrases Frank Sinatra’s famous words: “I did it my way.” “My career is being shaped by strong role models and impactful leaders, and I focused on both challenges and triumphs. One of my proudest moments came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when, as Country Manager, I worked 24/7 with my team to rapidly design and implement a global business continuity framework—ensuring operations continued smoothly while prioritizing the well-being of employees and their families.” In a time of crisis, he and his team delivered success with speed and care, despite Italy being the first major European country hit by the pandemic and forced into lockdown.
Beyond crisis management, Mimmo Zappi takes pride in his track record of business transformation, delivering results, and mentoring future leaders. He believes that people are the greatest competitive advantage, a sentiment echoed by many of his clients. As he looks ahead, he remains committed to adding new, meaningful experiences to his career, continuing to inspire, lead, and drive positive changes in the industry.
Approach in a Fast-Changing Market
For Mimmo Zappi, success in business boils down to one fundamental truth:
“People buy from people.”
This mindset underscores the critical importance of soft skills—now more than ever. In an era of growing complexity, the ability to generate empathy, actively listen, and build trust has become just as vital as technical expertise. Mimmo Zappi has always prioritized building diverse leadership teams, ensuring that while everyone brings a unique leadership style and perspective, they are united by shared values, principles, and a commitment to success.
Navigating Market Shifts with Agility
Today the telecommunications industry advances at a rapid pace, which makes adaptability a business necessity. It is crucial to stay responsive to market dynamics, beginning with a strategic focus on two key elements. First, the company leverages cutting-edge technology and data analytics to gain deep market insights, enabling informed decision-making and proactive adaptation to industry trends. Second, prioritizing active engagement with customers, analysts, and industry experts, fostering a culture of continuous learning and anticipation of emerging needs. By integrating these approaches, Mimmo Zappi strengthens its position as an agile and forward-thinking industry leader.
A prime example of this approach was his strategy for SD-WAN adoption. By engaging with industry analysts and conducting customer workshops, Mimmo Zappi and his team quickly reshaped Retelit’s offering, effectively offsetting revenue declines in legacy connectivity. This success came from a blend of technology adoption, strategic marketing, business analysis, upskilling, and solution-based selling—demonstrating that agility and responsiveness are essential for staying competitive.
Driving Digital Transformation with Vision, Innovation, and AI Integration
As Chief Commercial Officer, Mimmo Zappi is leading the charge in positioning the company as the infrastructure partner of choice for digital transformation across Enterprises, Government, Telco Operators, and OTTs. With a strong focus on connectivity, cloud, data center and cybersecurity, Retelit is building the foundation for customers to accelerate their business through cutting-edge technology adoption.
He recognizes that AI is reshaping industries, particularly in process automation, data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics, and personalized customer experiences. However, the greatest challenge lies in seamlessly integrating AI into existing processes and systems. Success requires a collaborative approach, bringing together product teams, IT analysts, and project managers to refine solutions and align them with market needs. Strategic planning, stakeholder involvement, and continuous upskilling play a vital role in this transformation.
A Clear Vision in a Time of Change
Mimmo Zappi firmly believes in Heraclitus’ wisdom: “The only constant in life is change.” When he joined Retelit, his first mission was to redefine the company’s strategy and vision—uniting the team under a common goal and connecting them by the same principles, values and commitment to deliver success.
Having strong financial backing from Asterion Industrial Partners—a leading Spanish Infrastructure Investment Fund—further empowers Retelit’s mission. With their commitment to both financial returns and industrial development, Retelit is well-positioned to drive innovation, create long-term value for clients, and contribute to local economic growth.
Through vision, adaptability, and technology-driven transformation, Mimmo Zappi continues to lead Retelit towards becoming an industry frontrunner, ensuring customers stay ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
The Future of Collaboration & Digital Transformation
“Technology is reshaping how businesses operate—from hyper-connected data centers to next-generation networks and integrated cloud platforms. Cybersecurity remains a critical priority, ensuring that as digital transformation accelerates, businesses, governments, and communities can operate securely and efficiently.” says Mimmo Zappi.
With vision, adaptability, and a relentless focus on innovation, Mimmo Zappi continues to guide Retelit toward being a leader in digital infrastructure, performing the future of data centers, connectivity, security, and sustainable technology.
