ABOUT US
Memory, vision and action
From an extraordinary personal story, a collective commitment is born for the future of women’s talent in STEM.
Founded
Mission
Scope
Our Mission
Building an ecosystem for female talent
The Association inspired by the legacy of Irini Pervolaraki was founded with a clear mission: to support and promote women’s talent in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), fields still marked by a significant gender gap. The goal is to build an ecosystem that fosters growth, recognition and access to scientific and technical careers, offering tools, visibility and development opportunities.
The initiative is promoted and entirely funded by Eng. Paolo Maranca, Irini’s husband and life partner, who chose to transform Irini’s personal and professional journey into a structured project capable of looking to the future and making a concrete impact on the opportunities offered to new generations. A personal commitment that becomes collective, so that female talent does not remain invisible.
Award Categories
Early, Driven and Innovative Manager
International Scope
Open to all candidates
Merit and competence
Evaluation by Scientific Technical Committee
Lasting network
Connections with companies, institutions and investors
THE STORY
Irini Pervolaraki
Irini Pervolaraki was a woman who united rigour and humanity, science and grace, technical expertise and care for others. A STEM manager of extraordinary talent, but also a big heart, capable of tenderness, listening and deep relationships.
Born in Crete in the late 1950s, at eighteen she spoke and wrote five languages fluently. She chose to enroll in Chemical Engineering at La Sapienza University of Rome—an unthinkable decision for a young foreign woman in that Italy—already demonstrating that quiet determination that would characterize her entire life.
In a man’s world, Irini never gave up her femininity, her kindness, her ability to unite rather than oppose. She did not impose, but convinced. She did not raise her voice, but raised the standard.
A Dedication
Let Me Go
Dedicated to all the women who had to fight against deep-rooted prejudices to assert their value, in their personal lives as in their careers, lighting the way like “Stars in the Dark” for future generations.
Courtesy of the author Ivana Dea Lumento
THE JOURNEY
A career without borders
The origins
Crete, late 1950sBorn in Crete at a time when girls were not expected to aspire so high. At eighteen she spoke and wrote five languages fluently
Rome
La Sapienza—Chemical EngineeringShe chose an unthinkable path for a young foreign woman in the Italy of those years, demonstrating a quiet and unstoppable determination.
Pirelli → Dayco
The international careerFactories built from scratch in China, India, Brazil, Poland and Argentina. Multicultural teams coordinated with authority that was never shouted. Senior roles up to vice presidency and the only female position on Dayco’s Board of Directors.
Recognition
Star of Merit for LaborRecognized by the President of the Republic for ethics, dedication and responsibility toward new generations. First certified female manager in Abruzzo.
Commitment beyond career
Minerva and FedermanagerContributes to founding Minerva within Federmanager, joining the first national council. Promotes female leadership not as a concession, but as a right.
Her final years
Still a protagonistMember of the Unicredit Central Italy Board, strategic consultant to important Abruzzo companies, advanced points of innovation.
A point of reference for managers, entrepreneurs, schools and associations.
The association
The Birth of the Association
In 2025, with Irini’s passing, the idea was born to transform a personal story into a collective commitment. The Association dedicated to Irini Pervolaraki is founded on the will to keep her example alive and to make it a concrete resource for the future.
This is not simply a tribute, but an action platform: an initiative that aspires to become a reference point in the national and international landscape for the promotion of female talent in STEM disciplines.
The Association starts from two countries—Greece, Irini’s homeland, and Italy, where she built her professional career—with the ambition to look to the whole of Europe, creating a cultural and professional bridge that transcends national borders.
The name “A Star in the Dark” embodies this vision: it represents talent that shines, awareness that illuminates, and the determination to make visible what deserves to be recognized.
Our values
What we believe in
The principles that guide every decision and action of the Association.
Merit and Competence
We recognize and value female talent that is not only concrete competence and measurable results, but also strategic soft skills, vision and gentle leadership.
Innovation
We promote critical thinking and the ability to transform challenges into growth opportunities.
Community and Connection
We create networks of support and collaboration among women working in STEM fields.
Soft skills
Talent is not just technical expertise. It shows in listening, trust and the ability to look beyond. Irini demonstrated this every day: authority and kindness, with natural ease.
VISION
Our Vision
The Irini Pervolaraki Association aims to build an ecosystem where women’s talent in STEAM receives the recognition and opportunities it deserves. It goes beyond a symbolic award, seeking to create concrete connections between candidates, companies, institutions and investors.
We want women working in scientific and technological fields to feel part of a community, supported in their growth journey and recognized for their contribution to innovation and progress.
The vision is of an international context where women’s expertise in STEAM is not the exception, but the norm; where talents are identified, valued and given the conditions to reach their full potential.
"A Star in the Dark" is not just an Award. It is a promise: that female talent will be discovered, recognized and celebrated.
Who leads the association
Paolo Maranca
Engineer · Executive
Franca Camplone
Innovation Manager
Sara Cirone
Board Strategic Advisor · HR e ESG Manager · Innovation and regeneration of territories
Maria Pitsouli
Valeria Cassino
Elisabetta Grilli
Claudia Follini
Rassegna Stampa
Press Coverage
The press, institutions, and media that have covered the launch of the “A Star in the Dark” Award and the Irini Pervolaraki Association.
Join
Become part of a project that values female talent
Joining the Irini Pervolaraki APS Association means sharing a concrete vision: supporting women who choose scientific and technological paths, offering them visibility, tools and opportunities. Membership is the first step to becoming part of the network and, for candidates, is the prerequisite to participate in the “A Star in the Dark” Award.