Castellani is an accomplished Associate Professor specializing in Banking, Finance, and Microfinance within the Department of Management at the University of Bergamo. With 15+ years of dedicated experience in both research and consulting, his expertise lies in the realm of financial inclusion, particularly in emerging and developing economies. During his career as a consultant, he has collaborated with various international organizations including the IADB, the European Union, the Financial Sector Deepening, and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion. His educational journey includes a a Ph.D. in Economics of Financial Markets and Intermediaries from the Catholic University of Milan, and the privilege of serving as a visiting scholar at the esteemed Rural Finance Program of Ohio State University in the United States.