In just a few years, Stefano Antonio Donnarumma has become one of the most influential figures in Europe’s infrastructure and mobility sector. As CEO and General Manager of the FS Italiane Group, he oversees a network that connects millions of travelers every day — but his ambitions reach far beyond Italy’s borders.
At the heart of his leadership lies a vision of a country that moves faster, cleaner, and smarter. Earlier this year, Donnarumma launched a €100 billion Strategic Plan (2025–2029) designed to transform Italy’s transport system into a model of sustainable growth. The plan prioritizes high-speed rail expansion, digital integration, and renewable energy, with the goal of making FS Italiane a European benchmark for green mobility.
“Transport infrastructure is not just about movement — it’s about national growth and social connection,” Donnarumma said recently. “Our task is to make that growth sustainable and technologically advanced.”
Under his direction, the Group is investing over €60 billion in railway infrastructure alone, introducing new high-speed lines to reach previously underserved regions and aiming to expand the network’s coverage by 30 percent. The introduction of the ERTMS system will also align Italy’s railways more closely with the European network, improving efficiency and cross-border integration.
Sustainability stands as a cornerstone of this vision. FS Italiane, Italy’s largest single electricity consumer (about 2% of national demand), is pursuing a long-term decarbonization strategy. The company plans to install 1 GW of renewable capacity by 2029, rising to 2 GW by 2034, meeting nearly a fifth of its total energy needs from green sources.
The Group’s international ambitions are equally bold: passenger volumes abroad are projected to rise by 40%, with FS positioning itself as a key player in Europe’s integrated transport system. “For us, Europe is a natural extension of our home market,” Donnarumma noted.
This strategic vision has not gone unnoticed. During the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) 50th Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C., on October 18, 2025, Donnarumma received the NIAF Dea Roma Award for Engineering Excellence in National Growth and Sustainable Infrastructure. The Foundation cited his “crucial role in the transformation and modernization of Italian transport infrastructure, with a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation.”
“It’s an honor I share with all Italians who generate value both at home and abroad,” Donnarumma said upon receiving the award, “and with everyone who promotes knowledge and expertise in engineering, technology, and innovation.”
With a blend of strategic foresight and technical precision, Donnarumma’s leadership reflects a broader movement within Italy — one where tradition meets innovation, and where infrastructure becomes a catalyst for a more sustainable and connected future.