Cecilia Piccioni is the first woman to serve as Political Director in Italy.
Born in Rome, she graduates with honours in Political Science from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” in 1991.
In 1992 she obtains a Master’s degree in International Finance and Foreign Trade (CORCE Finanziario). She gains professional experience with the World Bank and with a leading Italian banking institution.
On 23 September 1996 she enters the diplomatic service with a specialization in Commercial Affairs.
After an assignment at the Directorate General for Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in 2000 she is posted at the Embassy of Italy in Prague with the rank of Second Secretary.
In 2004 she is appointed First Secretary at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, where in 2006 she is promoted Counsellor.
In 2008 she returns to Rome to serve in the Office of the Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister.
From 2010 she serves as Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Italy to the United Nations in New York.
In 2015 she is appointed Ambassador of Italy to Hanoi, becoming the first woman to ever hold that position.
In 2018 she serves as Chief of Staff to the President of Fincantieri.
In 2020 she returns to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for Economic and Cultural Promotion and Innovation. Since 2021 she serves as Deputy Director General for Economic and Cultural Promotion and Innovation and Principal Director for the Promotion of Italian Culture and Language.
In 2021 she is decorated as Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
In 2022 she is appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
From July 2024 to September 2025, she served as Ambassador of Italy to Moscow, the first woman to hold this role.
Since 30 September 2025 she is serving as Political Director.
Since 1 January 2026 she is also serving as Deputy Secretary General.
She has one son, Federico.