zhero’s co-founders bring together;

  • a unique track record in delivering large scale clean energy infrastructure projects (from renewables to hydrogen), as well as several midstream and upstream projects, on time and on budget

  • distinctive access and established relationships with suppliers, technology providers, financial institutions, utilities, energy players and, importantly, off-takers

Our Team

Marco Alverà

Co-Founder & CEO

25 years of industry experience

Marco’s career has always been driven by a passion for energy and innovation. Former CEO of Snam (2016-22) lead the repositioning of Snam from a traditional regulated play into an international, diversified and exposed to energy transition platform.

Prior to Snam Marco held several executive positions in Eni (up to Chief Retail Market Gas & Power), Enel and Wind. In 2000 he created and then sold a telecom start up.

Started his career at Goldman Sachs. Initiator and co-founder of WWM (World Wellbeing Movement).

Paddy Padmanathan

Co-Founder & Vice Chairman

40+ years of industry experience

Paddy is the former CEO and President of ACWA Power (2007-2023) as a private company with 5 staff to now employing 3500 people and listed on the Saudi stock exchange with a market cap of c. $25bn. A leading global developer, owner & operator of power generation and desalinated water production plants controlling assets in excess of US$75 Billion in 13 countries.

A Civil Enginnering graduate of University of Manchester, UK, Paddy started his career as a consulting engineer designing and supervising construction of infrastructure projects financed by the national treasuries and multilateral financial agencies and moved on to develop and deliver privately financed power, water and wastewater projects in over a dozen countries. He also serves on the Board of directors of several technology, construction and development companies all serving the water and energy sectors. Prior to joining ACWA Power, Paddy served as VP and Corporate Officer at Black and Veatch a US Headquartered engineer constructor for over a decade.

Alessandra Pasini

Co-Founder & President

25 years of industry and finance expertise

Former CEO of Storage, CFO, and Chief International and Business Development Officer at Snam (from 2016 to 2022).

Alessandra played a key role in Snam’s repositioning from a pure infrastructure company into an energy transition leader with a global footprint (including its storage activities).

Led the acquisition of a 36% of De Nora from Blackstone, then IPOed 1 year later at 3x value.

Prior to joining Snam, Alessandra has been Head of Investment Banking Italy at Barclays and worked at Citi and Kraft, managing M&A and IPOs in energy, infrastructure and telecommunication sectors.


Independent board member of Italy’s largest online bank Fineco.

Enrico Vitali

Co-Founder

40+ years of experience

CEO of Garage Italia Customs (2018-2021)

From 1990 – 2016 Managing Partner of Tremonti Vitali Romagnoli Piccardi e Associati.

From 2010 to 2014 member of the Board of International Advisors of GS.

From 2009 to 2013 advisor to the Italian Committee for the World Food Programme.

From 2008 to 2011 Coordinator of the Strategic Committee for the Foreign Development and Defense of the Domestic Interest in Economy.