Leading with Courage | Cristina Mariani-May

While Cristina has a vision, her leadership style is a collaborative one. Her trust in her executive team to make that vision a reality enables them to build and implement the structure and team needed to take Banfi forward.

Cristina gets her passion from not only those working around her but also her family. “I find endless inspiration from my family company’s namesake, my great-Aunt, Teodolinda Banfi. She was the first woman to live and work in the Vatican, managing all aspects of food, wine, and hospitality. It was her dedication to hospitality that inspired my grandfather to name his company after her,” explains Cristina. “Now, I have had the pleasure of cultivating our hospitality in Italy – from establishing a boutique hotel that is a Relais & Chateaux property, to our Sala dei Grappoli Michelin-starred dining to unforgettable vineyard experiences, it truly is an authentic Tuscan experience.”

Cristina has learned a lot in her impressive career as a steadfast leader who has been hailed for her strategic decision-making. “Leadership needs vision and clarity, but that alone isn’t enough. I have found that equally important is the strength, and even courage, to find your voice and the patience, and frankly grit, to see it through,” says Cristina. “One of the biggest challenges was having a different vision than other family members about what really mattered for Banfi’s future and feeling like I had the ability to move the company forward in a meaningful way. Finding that voice and building the confidence to make that vision a reality has been incredibly rewarding, but it’s definitely a process, and the path is not without its challenges.”

For Banfi, sustainability has always been essential to the business, and under Cristina’s leadership, it has received even more focus . Banfi has recently been awarded an Equalitas Certification, a feat for an agricultural estate over 7,100 acres in Montalcino, Tuscany. Essentially it acknowledges active and responsible practices as part of a holistic approach to sustainability with environmental, ethical, and social dimensions. Like most passion projects, sustainability efforts are ongoing and become part of the vision and culture.

Banfi is a global brand exporting to over 100 countries, yet one of Cristina’s goals is for the organization to function more as a worldwide company. Ironically, the pandemic spurred better connections between Banfi’s US and Italian colleagues. As much progress as they have made, there is still the opportunity to continually share best practices and find efficiencies across systems and processes.

In an industry of portfolio giants where acquisitions are prevalent, Banfi made the tough choice to go it alone. Industry veterans’ encouragement, support, and admiration have been incredible support for the company. While being independent and streamlined puts Banfi in the enviable position of being nimble, the most significant achievement is knowing they didn’t compromise values, identity, or family legacy. “Banfi is in growth mode, so our future is bright – solidifying our team, being incredibly selective with how we expand our portfolio,” elucidates Cristina. “We also look forward to enhancing the Banfi hospitality experience. We have the pleasure of receiving visitors from around the world and are honored to be a true beacon of Tuscan hospitality.”