Whether it’s due to aptitude or nature, her innate curiosity and desire to put into practice the experience gained in previous professional experiences, including in marketing and international back office, Jessica Tumminello isn’t the executive assistant you might imagine. During her four years at Filatura di Tollegno, in addition to being a trusted interface between management, internal resources, and “the world,” she organized and managed significant events for the company and, giving voice to her passion for social media, narrated them. A “multitasker and problem solver,” as she likes to call herself, she loves the dynamism and versatility of her job.
With a Master’s degree in Languages, Literature, and Tourism and extensive professional experience in both organizational and creative fields, why did Jessica join Tollegno 1900?
The experiences I’ve gained over the years have allowed me to acquire a range of useful organizational and coordination skills, but my desire to grow professionally drove me to pursue a company that could offer me the opportunity to improve. When I came across a job posting for a management assistant at Tollegno1900, I immediately applied. Joining the company represented a significant opportunity for me, both to test myself and to develop a personal growth path that parallels that of a constantly evolving company. A challenge with a capital “C” that I’ve taken on every day for the past four years.
What do you do specifically?
I’m the liaison between the company’s various functions. On the one hand, I support management in organizing, prioritizing, and coordinating activities, streamlining internal work. On the other hand, I help shape Tollegno 1900’s external image by managing company social media and organizing key events, such as the 125th anniversary celebration. Last but not least, working with management, I oversee the purchasing of raw materials.
How has the company changed since you joined?
My arrival at Tollegno 1900 occurred during a particularly challenging but also challenging period for the company. Four months after joining, in July 2022, Tollegno 1900 became part of Indorama Ventures, a Thai multinational. This move marked a significant change for our company: the acquisition gave us greater structure, an increasingly international vision, and new development opportunities. At the same time, however, Tollegno 1900 has managed to maintain its identity, maintaining its historic values and finding an effective balance between identity and evolution.
If you had to define Tollegno1900 today in three words, which would you choose?
Definitely Tradition, Evolution, and Identity. Tradition represents the company’s solid roots and the knowledge built and passed down over time; evolution identifies its ability to adapt and grow even through significant changes; and identity reflects its strong, recognizable character.
This recognizable character must also shine through in its communications, both to the media and through the social media channels you manage personally. What are the guidelines for your corporate strategy and the themes you propose?
The strategy is based on an authentic story of Tollegno1900. Therefore, the themes we focus on are our tradition, in terms of history and knowledge passed down through generations, our focus on innovation and sustainability, and, last but not least, our people. The goal is to strengthen the brand’s positioning, increase visibility, and build transparent communication, considering that our target audience is primarily B2B. Alongside customers, partners, and industry professionals, there’s also a broader audience interested in the world of textiles: I’m thinking, for example, of students and emerging designers eager to experience firsthand the world they’ve chosen.
What challenges have you encountered in implementing these goals?
Not only describing what the company was and is, but also demonstrating how the values we build every day translate into choices that impact the future: attention to sustainability, product innovation, and corporate culture.
Although your background is diverse, you’ve also accepted this role, which carries significant responsibility for the company’s image. What convinced you to take on this challenge?
The dynamic nature of the role, which allows me to tackle different activities and interact with multiple areas of the company. I’m interested in having an overall view and contributing both to internal organization and external communication, turning ideas and needs into concrete actions.