Gabriella Parisse is the president and CEO of Velcro Companies, a global manufacturer of innovative fastening solutions with its U.S. headquarters based in Manchester, NH, with facilities in Somersworth, NH, and around the world. The company is known for the iconic VELCRO^® Brand and its heritage of innovation spanning more than 60 years. Previously, Gabriella spent more than 25 years at Johnson & Johnson in a number of senior leadership roles for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. She also served on the Executive Committee of Tate & Lyle PLC as President of Innovation & Commercial Development. Born and raised in Italy, Gabriella holds a master’s degree in Statistic & Demographic Sciences from La Sapienza University in Rome. In 2009, she was awarded the Order of Merit for Labor title (“Cavaliere del Lavoro”) by the President of the Italian Republic.