Interview with Monica Casali, Global Data Privacy Lead at MIGSO-PCUBED
For over a decade, Monica Casali has embodied perseverance and vision at MIGSO-PCUBED. From operational roles to Global Data Privacy Lead, her journey reflects the power of growing with determination and purpose.
Her story is a reminder that women are not only shaping processes, but inspiring teams, breaking barriers, and redefining success.
Hi Monica, you’ve been with MIGSO-PCUBED for 13 years, holding several key roles, including Global Data Privacy Lead. Could you walk us through your career path and how your responsibilities evolved over time?
When I first joined MP in 2013, I acted as the interface between Germany and France, primarily on topics related to expense management, finance, and office administration.
I was also responsible for creating and maintaining operational handbooks and for establishing a documentation database for Germany, which continues to evolve year after year.
Towards the beginning of 2015 we launched the Health & Safety certification for the Munich Hub and I was in charge of the deployment.
We obtained our certification in November 2015, and since then I have been responsible for maintaining the system, managing audits, and handling all related activities. I still hold this responsibility today.
In the following years, I moved more and more into process‑optimisation topics and supported different internal projects, both in Germany and abroad. My way of working is very ‘German’: I like structure, clarity, and efficiency. Honestly, many of my German colleagues would probably say I’m ‘more German than a real German’ in a lot of ways.
So joining the QSD team was pretty much a natural next step. I was asked to help with the rollout of the ISO 9001 certification in Germany, and I immediately saw it as a great chance to use my strengths in organisation, structuring processes, and building documentation. It felt like a perfect match with the way I naturally work.
Since then, I have rolled out several certifications, carried out internal audits, and supported various teams around the world whenever needed.
What inspired you to specialize in quality management and data privacy?
I genuinely see the value in having clear processes and constantly improving the way we work. It’s something I’m really passionate about.
Data Privacy, on the other hand, started more as a personal challenge. A few years ago, I volunteered to take on the role of Data Privacy Coordinator for Germany. Since I wanted to fully understand my responsibilities, I completed a Data Protection Officer training for Germany and started overseeing all related activities, with the support of our Group DPO.
Since then, I’ve become more and more passionate about the topic, and I’ve supported various data‑privacy‑related projects in several countries.
It wasn’t until the beginning of 2026 that I officially took on the role of Global Data Privacy Lead. It’s still quite new and definitely challenging, but I’m determined to make the very best out of it.
You led the certification processes for ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and the Occupational Health and Safety Management System. What were the biggest challenges in achieving these certifications?
Probably the biggest challenge is that every certification has to be deployed with a lot of different factors in mind: the specificities of each country, the resources available to drive the actions, and the local legal requirements. You can’t just take something that already exists and copy‑paste it. Some processes need to be more efficient in certain countries and can be lighter in others.
That’s why I always try to fully understand the local context before deploying anything. I take time to analyse my perimeter, talk to the people involved, and understand what makes sense for them. Only then can I build something that is actually useful, realistic, and sustainable.
This approach takes for sure more energy, but it makes the outcome much stronger and it helps ensure that each certification truly fits the country it is meant for.
As a woman building a long-term career in our company, were there any defining moments that shaped your path?
There have been many challenges over the years, because working within QSD is anything but straightforward. You constantly need to anticipate, adapt, and be proactive. You’re often pushed out of your comfort zone, and you have to face each challenge with the right mindset and attitude.
That said, I consider myself very lucky, because I get to work with truly great people.
And I’m not only talking about the QSD team, but also my team in Germany, the team in France, the teams I collaborated with during the certification rollouts in Italy and Australia, and the Country Managers I work with (or have worked with). All these people have contributed to creating many great moments over the years, and they make my job not only easier but also so much more enjoyable.
What strategies have you developed to maintain your energy, focus, and well-being over the years?
That’s a very good question.
When I take over a new perimeter, I invest a lot of time upfront in assessing the environment and mapping the entire project end-to-end.
This approach is time‑consuming, but it gives me a long‑term vision of what I want to achieve, along with clear and realistic SMART objectives. Having this visibility helps me stay focused on what truly matters instead of constantly reacting as things appear.
Of course, unexpected events will always happen, but if the planning is solid, they’re much easier to manage. I think this structured approach is what helps me keep a positive mindset when facing new challenges.
Regarding my well‑being, I try to pay attention to it (maybe not as much as I should sometimes). When I know I’m heading into a period of high workload, I set short‑term goals for myself: spending more time outdoors, doing yoga or meditation, and practicing more sport. These activities help me balance stress and keep my energy level steady.
Looking back, which achievement are you most proud of, and why?
One of the achievements I’m most proud of is the Health & Safety certification. It was the first certification I handled entirely on my own, and also my very first experience in this area. It required a huge amount of work, but the results were excellent. I’m still very proud of the Health & Safety Management System we have in Germany today.
Another major achievement was last year, when I was responsible for deploying two certifications at the same time: ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 for Australia. It was a very challenging project, not only because of the workload but also because of the time-zone differences. The local team worked incredibly hard and delivered outstanding results. The external audits went very well, and I was extremely proud of all of them. This definitely ranks among my top professional highlights.
In turn, how do you support or empower other women within MIGSO-PCUBED today?
I wouldn’t limit this to any specific gender; this is simply how I try to work with everyone. Teamwork is very important to me. As a team, we grow stronger, and we learn from each other. Every person brings unique skills and perspectives that deserve to be recognised and valued.
I can be demanding, but I am also very proactive in supporting and accompanying others. I do my best to share my knowledge and to give people the right tools so they can become autonomous.
Throughout my years at MP, I’ve met many incredible colleagues from whom I learned a lot. I truly hope I can give something back by supporting others in their development so they can grow, gain confidence, and achieve great things.
Reflecting on your journey and the people you have worked with at MIGSO-PCUBED, what is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
I’ve learned that you never truly stop learning, and embracing this continuous growth is incredibly positive. I’ve also realized how essential it is to work in a healthy environment where people respect one another, as it makes a remarkable difference in both motivation and well‑being. Finally, I’ve learned that when you genuinely feel supported by your company, you can achieve great things, because that sense of trust and encouragement empowers you to go further than you imagined.
What advice would you give to women who are starting or developing their careers within the company?
My advice to women who are starting or developing their careers within the company is to:
- be honest about their expectations
- dare to think outside the box
- don’t hesitate to ask for support
- focus on creating a climate of trust around you
And above all, be a strong team player! Because no matter how talented you are, you can only go far with a good team by your side.
