Davide Pagnotta, co-founder and CEO of Wise Humanity, believes that workplaces should be designed for people to feel seen, valued, and empowered. With over two decades of experience as a physicist and corporate leader, Davide recognized the profound need for human-centered work environments that nurture authenticity, creativity, and well-being. His journey reflects the power of combining empathy, technology, and leadership to transform organizational culture. Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature Davide’s inspiring story as part of our mission to support women, entrepreneurs, and changemakers worldwide. With over 5 million members from diverse backgrounds, we believe in the power of both He for She and She for She, driving equal opportunities for all.
Can you tell us more about Wise Humanity and what inspired you to co-found it?
I’m originally a physicist, and I worked for 20 years in large engineering companies. While the technical work itself was often exciting, I frequently struggled with the workplace culture. I found myself going home feeling like I didn’t belong, that I couldn’t be myself, or that my contributions weren’t fully appreciated. Over time, I realized it wasn’t me who was wrong — the problem was the environments where people couldn’t truly blossom. When my last company went bankrupt, partly due to internal communication failures and lack of psychological safety, I knew something had to change. That’s when I started Wise Humanity — to help people reclaim their humanity at work and build spaces where individuals can thrive authentically.
What challenges have you faced on your journey as a founder and CEO?
One of the biggest challenges is time — things always move slower than you hope, especially with startups. Another major hurdle is skepticism. We’re building a platform to help people be more human at work, and even though people agree it’s needed, there’s often doubt about whether organizations are ready for this. Many workplaces have disconnected processes that ignore the human element. So bridging that gap — making businesses see the value of humanity in the workplace — is a constant challenge.
What is your perspective on women empowerment and leadership?
Empowerment should never be limited by gender, but society still has systemic barriers, especially for women. One example from our own leadership team — we had an incredible woman leader who had to step down due to the challenges of balancing startup life with motherhood, despite having a supportive partner. That’s a societal issue, not an individual one. We need structures that allow everyone, including mothers, to pursue their passions fully.
Also, when I meet women leaders, I’m often struck by their empathy and realness. I recently connected with a woman investor whose authenticity and pragmatic empathy stood out among many male counterparts. Seeing women bring both strength and compassion to powerful positions is incredibly inspiring and essential for progress.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs and founders?
Two things: Tenacity and listening. Founding a business is full of unexpected hurdles. You need unwavering belief in your vision and the resilience to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Tenacity is key. Equally important is listening — truly hearing the people you want to serve, involving them, and letting their insights shape your product or service. Real success comes from understanding your audience deeply, not working in isolation.
What are your personal and professional goals for 2025?
Professionally, I want to take Wise Humanity to the next stage — finalizing our product and bringing it to the world. Personally, I’m committed to learning, especially in AI, which is evolving so rapidly. At the same time, I want to stay connected to my community — family, friends, and chosen family. As founders, we often get consumed by our work, but nurturing those close relationships is equally vital for balance and well-being.
“Believing in your vision and adapting along the way — that’s how you create real change. And never forget to listen; it’s your most valuable tool.”
Connect with Davide Pagnotta:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidepagnotta/
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
