Full Name: Anna Rosa Russo
Position: Brand manager De Beers Forevermark in South Africa
Main Activity of the Company: The diamond jewellery business, including the distribution of the De Beers Forevermark brand
Date and Place of Birth: August 5, 1976, Italy
Education: MA degree in US history
First Job: Sales in a renowned bookstore in Rome while studying at university
Size of First Pay Packet: Very little
Personal Best Achievement: Graduating cum laude and being offered the management of the Forevermark brand
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My supervisor at Sapienza University, in Rome
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Forevermark CEO Stephen Lussier
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Former US President Barack Obama
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: My father, who was a self-made man; he built a successful business from scratch
Philosophy of Life: Stay humble. The more you learn, the more you acknowledge that there is too much to know in life and you actually know too little to be arrogant and too bold
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Getting a scholarship to Harvard University from Sapienza University when I graduated
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The end of my academic career, owing to personal matters, which were a priority at the time
Hope for the Future: To have an awesome life in South Africa in both the personal and professional spheres of my life
Favourite Reading: Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman
Favourite TV Programme: None – I am not a big TV watcher
Favourite Food/Drink: A great glass of red wine and a vodka martini well shaken!
Favourite Music: Classical music, pop lounge and rhythm and blues
Favourite Sport: Horse riding
Hobbies: Outdoor activities such as hiking, diving, jogging and horse riding, as well as yoga
Car: Black convertible Mini Cooper
Pets: None currently, but I do like cats and dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Smoking; arrogance; exploitation of individuals, communities and the environment; violence and winter
Married: Nope . . . not yet
Clubs: None currently