Namasté

I was born in Alessandria, Italy, on October 27, 1961, into a family deeply rooted in tradition, discipline, and excellence. My mother was a devoted teacher, while my father, Vincenzo Rossello, was a distinguished professional cyclist who raced as a domestique for legends such as Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi. His career included twelve Giro d’Italia races, four Tours de France, eight Milano–Sanremo competitions, and a World Championship—an example of endurance and dedication that profoundly shaped my outlook.

From an early age, curiosity and sensitivity defined my character. As an altar boy, I cherished the opportunity to read during Mass, nurturing a sense of reflection and meaning. At the age of six, a Silvan Magic Kit ignited my fascination with illusion—an interest that soon expanded into a broader exploration of symbolism and spirituality. At twelve, I encountered Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy by Yogi Ramacharaka, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of inner research and self-awareness.

Recognizing my curiosity and technical inclination, my parents gave me a CB radio. This sparked a passion for communication that eventually led me to obtain an international amateur radio license (IW1BBA). At a time when global communication was rare, I delighted in connecting with people across continents. By my early teens, my rooftop bristled with antennas, and by fourteen I was already performing paid magic shows for discos, village festivals, and the Radio Montecarlo Club.

Alongside performance, I explored tarot, astrology—particularly through the writings of Sementovsky Kurilo—palmistry, dowsing, numerology, and runes. Friends nicknamed me “The Magician,” likening me to the Magician card of the tarot. In parallel, I pursued martial arts, training in Aikido, Kendo, and later Hapkido at the Kodokan Academy in Alessandria, where I earned my Second Dan.

Several encounters proved decisive in shaping my artistic path. On a beach in Albisola Marina, I met Fabio Fazio, with whom I collaborated on numerous performances, especially during Ferragosto celebrations. Another key mentor was Valerio Fontanella, known as Valey, whose guidance profoundly enriched my understanding of magic. The fortuitous discovery of the complete Encyclopaedia of Magic by Father Salvatore Cimò further deepened my theoretical foundation.

In 1976, I joined the Italian Magic Club, sponsored by Alberto Sitta, who recognized my commitment to magical theory. My first published article, The Signature on the Card, appeared in Magia Moderna in 1977 under the stage name Magic Nayos, inspired by the Greek word μάγος, meaning “wise.” During those formative years, Bologna’s Crest Hotel became a frequent meeting place and an informal academy for internationally renowned magicians.

While continuing to perform and innovate, I pursued a rigorous academic path. After completing scientific high school, I enrolled at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where I earned a degree in Electronic Engineering. I later completed a postgraduate specialization in Marketing Management with Philip Kotler. This synthesis of engineering precision and marketing vision not only strengthened my interest in quantum mechanics and the dialogue between science, philosophy, and faith, but also laid the foundation for a deep and ongoing involvement in emerging technologies.

As an electronic engineer, I am particularly engaged in the development and application of artificial intelligence, exploring its impact not only in professional and industrial contexts, but also in everyday life. My interest extends beyond technology itself to the social, cultural, and ethical implications of AI, especially in relation to leadership, responsibility, human creativity, and the future relationship between humans and machines.

Despite social and familial expectations to pursue a strictly conventional career, I remained faithful to my artistic vocation. I performed independently and in collaboration with organizations such as Club Med and Valtur, working for over a decade as a self-employed professional illusionist and entertainer. During this period, I also opened shows for well-known comedians from the television program Drive In, further enriching my stage experience.

The 1980s marked an expansion into new dimensions of exploration. I embraced scuba diving, becoming a certified diver and later a PADI instructor specializing in Peak Performance Buoyancy. At the same time, I pursued aviation, earning EASA and FAA private pilot qualifications and acquiring a small aircraft. My passion for sports cars led to notable achievements, including third place in the Milano–Sanremo race with a Ferrari California and first place in the Ferrari Grand Tour in 2011.

In recent years, I have returned to the world of magic with renewed intensity, strengthening relationships with national and international artists and assuming leadership roles. I have served as Managing Director of ItaTeam, the Italian Magic Team, and as Vice President of the Circolo Amici della Magia di Torino. I am qualified as a judge for the International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM) and had the honor of serving as FISM judge at the World Championships of Magic in Turin, specifically for the Street Magic category. I also supervise the FISM International Consultancy Group dedicated to the recognition of magic as an art form within the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage framework.

Within this context, one of the moments of which I am most proud was the FISM World Championships of Magic 2025. In my role as Managing Director of ItaTeam, I was responsible for leading and coordinating the Italian national team throughout the preparation and competition process. The Italian artists achieved an extraordinary collective result, winning eight international awards, including the Grand Prix World Champion, the highest honor of the competition. While each prize was earned by individual performers through their talent and dedication, I am deeply proud of the teamwork, shared vision, and collective discipline that made these achievements possible—an experience that perfectly reflects my belief in leadership as the ability to enable others to excel.

A particularly meaningful milestone for me was the acquisition of the Silvan Magic Library, ensuring the preservation of its extraordinary legacy for future generations of artists.

Parallel to my artistic journey, I built a long executive career in industry. I served as CEO of Paglieri S.p.A., Selectiva S.p.A., Agopag S.p.A., and Schiapparelli S.p.A. Within the cosmetics sector, I have been Vice President of the Italian Cosmetics Industry Association (Cosmetica Italia), President of its Mass Market Commission, Former President of Cosmetica Italia, and Former Chairman of Cosmetica Italia Servizi Srl. I am also a Member of the General Council of Federchimica, representing the Italian chemical industry.

My academic and institutional commitments include serving as a Member of the Scientific Committee of the SAA – School of Management, University of Turin, for the Master in Corporate Finance and Banking. I am an Academic of the European Academy for Economic and Cultural Relations in Rome (AEREC) and a former member of the Aspen Institute.

A central thread throughout my life has been my commitment to Rotary International, which began in December 1999 with my admission to the Rotary Club of Valenza. Over more than twenty-five years of uninterrupted service, Rotary has represented for me a true school of leadership, service, and ethical responsibility.

Within the District structure, I progressively assumed roles of increasing responsibility, particularly in youth development and international exchange. I served as District Group Study Exchange Subcommittee Chair (2006–2009) and District Youth Exchange Chair (2009–2010).

My leadership path continued through the full District Governor line: District Governor-Nominee (2011–2012), District Governor-Elect (2012–2013), and District Governor of Rotary District 2032 (2013–2014). Following my governorship, I remained actively engaged in strategic District roles, including District Paul Harris Society Coordinator (2016–2017).

At the international level, I had the honor of serving as Chairman of the Rotary Institute Rome 2023, a role that represented a synthesis of leadership, vision, and international dialogue. I currently serve as President of the Leadership and Excellence Commission of Rotary District 2032, focusing on leadership development, ethical standards, and a culture of excellence.

I remain an active member of the Rotary Club of Valenza, where I previously served as Club President (2005–2006), and I have been an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club Torino Lagrange since 2016. I am a Benefactor and Major Donor Level 3 of The Rotary Foundation, a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF +8), and a long-standing supporter of the Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) program.

I received the “Gagliaudo d’Oro,” the highest honor bestowed by the City of Alessandria. Volunteering—particularly with the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association (AISM)—and the support of humanitarian causes have remained a constant thread throughout my life.

I have lectured at numerous universities across Italy, valuing dialogue with younger generations, including initiatives such as the Brand Lab at IULM University in Milan. I am a frequent speaker at international conferences on ethics, leadership, the relationship between science and faith, and the societal impact of technological innovation. I am currently writing a book titled The Illusion of Reality.

My published contributions include Dalla pubblicità alla comunicazione (Franco Angeli Editore), Giovani e Futuro and Leadership Futura (Fondazione Banca Europa). In 2013, I published Leadership e Consapevolezza, an inquiry into ideal leadership across history, philosophy, and post-normal thinking—now out of print but available in digital format.

On a personal level, I have a daughter, Ginevra, and a partner, Lorena. My interests include general aviation, scuba diving, illusionism, the sea, amateur radio, sports cars and motorbikes, photography, drones, and martial arts.

Across all these paths, I remain a tireless seeker—driven by curiosity and by the enduring desire to bridge the visible and the invisible.