Mariangela Zappia is an esteemed career diplomat with an impressive four-decade-long career, currently serving as the Italian Ambassador to the United States of America. Notably, she is the first woman in Italian history to hold this prestigious position, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Throughout her illustrious diplomatic journey, Zappia has held a series of key roles, showcasing her expertise in international relations. Some of her most notable experiences include serving as the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in New York from 2018 to 2021, where she represented Italy on the global stage. Prior to that, she served as the Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Italy and as the G7-G20 Sherpa from 2016 to 2018, playing a crucial role in shaping the nation's foreign policy.

Her international assignments also include serving as the Permanent Representative of Italy to NATO in Brussels from 2014 to 2016 and as the Head of the European Union Delegation to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva from 2011 to 2014.

Zappia's commitment to her country's international engagement extends further, as she played a pivotal role during Italy's G8 Presidency in 2009, focusing on issues like violence against women and women's contributions to peace and security.

Education-wise, Zappia holds a master's degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Florence, along with a post-graduate degree in Diplomatic and International Relations from the same institution. She has also undergone high-level training in diplomatic practice and management at the Diplomatic Academy of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.

Beyond her diplomatic duties, Zappia is a published author, known for her contributions on the Reform of the Security Council and Italy's involvement in UN peacekeeping operations. She is a respected speaker on Italian foreign policy and global affairs and is fluent in both English and French, with a good knowledge of Spanish.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Zappia has been honored with the "Commendatore" (Commander) decoration of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and received the "Mela D'Oro" award in 2019 for her work in advancing women's roles in public institutions. In 2022, she was honored with the "Top Diplomacy" award by the Fondazione Guido Carli.