2019 President’s Medal for Excellence Honoree
Guido M. Barilla, P’21, ’22
Chairman of Barilla G. e R. Fratelli S.p.A.
As a student, Guido Maria Barilla spent two years in the United States, first as a senior in high school and then as a freshman at Boston College. Owing to family concerns, he completed his studies in Italy, where he majored in philosophy at the University of Milan. He began his professional career in 1982 with a two-year stint in the sales department at Barilla France, a subsidiary of the Barilla Group. Following his European training, he worked at several food companies in the United States.
On his return to Italy, he went to Parma to work at the Barilla Group’s headquarters. He became an executive of the company in July 1986 and was engaged in the Group’s international expansion. In the same year, he joined the board of directors of Barilla G. e R. Fratelli S.p.A., and he was named vice chairman in May 1988.
Following the death of his father, Pietro Barilla, in October 1993, Guido Barilla became chairman of the board of directors of Barilla G. e R. Fratelli S.p.A., and in March 2003 he was named group chairman. In 2009, he became chairman of the advisory board of the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition Foundation. He also served on the board of directors of several Italian companies, and he is currently a board member of Danone S.A., an international food and beverage company.
Guido Barilla is a native of Milan. He is married, and he and his wife, Nicoletta, have five children. He is passionate about sports and is currently engaged with many sports-related activities.