Alexandra van Ackere – Ferrari

When Alexandra van Ackere took on the role of assistant general counsel of Ferrari North America in early 2024, she knew she was stepping into more than a legal role; she was joining a legacy of excellence that blends precision, passion, and performance. Ferrari, founded in Maranello, Italy, over 75 years ago and recognized worldwide as a symbol of luxury, craftsmanship, and innovation, operates a North American office to manage its business across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. The company is admired not only for its high-performance sports cars and racing heritage, but also for its innovation: unveiling its first fully electric vehicle in 2026, offering clients a range of hybrid, EV and the iconic Ferrari internal combustion engine vehicle.

Alexandra van Ackere | Ferrari | Assistant General Counsel

In her role, van Ackere supports a small but dynamic legal team that oversees operations across these markets, handling everything from warranty and franchise inquiries to regulatory compliance and data privacy needs. She works closely with the General Counsel and the global headquarters in Italy to ensure that Ferrari’s commitments to quality and performance translate effectively into the North American context.

Her day-to-day work reflects Ferrari’s dual identity: a company steeped in tradition yet driven by constant innovation.

“We’re not just supporting a brand,” she says. “We’re helping protect a legacy, a mission that exemplifies performance, beauty, and responsibility.”

For van Ackere, that mission includes another dimension just as important—empowering women to thrive in their careers and bring their full selves to the table.

Accelerating inclusion

Empowerment has long been central to van Ackere’s philosophy. Having attended both an all-girls high school and an all-women’s college, she developed a deep appreciation for the confidence and community that come from female-focused environments. Those lessons now shape her leadership at Ferrari. Within the company, she is an active member of “High-Powered,” a global initiative that promotes women’s leadership across departments and inspires female clients and enthusiasts to become “Ferrariste.”

“I’m proud to work for a company that values diversity and invests in leadership development,” she says. “The support and advocacy from my general counsel, who is a strong male ally, has been invaluable. He empowers women in the business, and particularly in our office, to take ownership and lead.”

Empowerment is more than just something van Ackere preaches at work.

She and her husband have a five-month-old son named Wellesley van Ackere, known as “Wells,” named after the institution that profoundly shaped his mother and is dedicated to supporting, educating, and empowering women. They felt that the legacy of Wellesley College reflected the future they envisioned for their son, one in which he grows into the kind of man shaped by strong women and committed to uplifting them.

“There’s a great sense of hopefulness with younger female lawyers,” she says. “They’re willing to put in the work, they’re not complacent, and they know their value. Those are qualities long prized by Ferrari, that sense of confident humility and will to progress.”

The legal team’s small size fosters collaboration and trust.  It is an agile environment, much like the famous cars Ferrari produces—fast, responsive, and finely tuned. van Ackere has helped cultivate an atmosphere where everyone understands that mutual reliance is essential.

“There’s a foundation of respect here, and how we support the business in our respective roles can serve to uplift other women,” she says. “If you’ve made it this far at the company, your value speaks for itself.”

Balancing precision and perspective

As Ferrari continues its journey toward carbon neutrality, van Ackere and her colleagues are helping the company interpret complex regulatory frameworks across different jurisdictions. Their work ensures that Ferrari’s new technologies and sustainability goals align with North American standards, particularly as the company prepares to launch its first electric vehicle. The challenge lies in harmonizing legal obligations with Ferrari’s trademark commitment to design, craftsmanship, and innovation—each car must remain unmistakably Ferrari, regardless of the powertrain beneath it.

van Ackere’s role gives her a unique vantage point into how the company’s values guide every decision. She describes Ferrari as a place where legacy and modernity coexist seamlessly, where the pursuit of technological advancement never comes at the expense of artistry.

“What we’re doing so well is adapting to the market while staying true to who we are,” she says. “Every vehicle is bespoke, every detail intentional.”

At the same time, she is navigating a new chapter of her own life as a mother. Returning to work after maternity leave has given her a fresh perspective on balance and purpose.

“Being a mom helps you see more clearly why you work,” she says. “What I do for the company is important, but now I’m also working for someone else. I see, more than ever, the clear connection between success in my role to the wellness and continued success of this company.”

That dual focus has made her even more efficient and intentional. With a five-month-old son, two Rottweilers, a 200-year-old house, and marathon training alongside her husband, she has learned to prioritize, delegate, and use every minute wisely. Ferrari’s investment in leadership development, she adds, has helped her strengthen her communication and management style.

“The company provides leadership training and truly invests in its managers,” she explains. “That training has shaped how I engage with colleagues and how I continue to evolve as a person.”

Beyond the finish line

van Ackere’s path to Ferrari was not conventional. After earning degrees in history and philosophy from Wellesley College, she completed her JD at Brooklyn Law School. Initially, she envisioned a future in academia or possibly entertainment law. She spent six years in private practice focusing on business litigation and advising New York restaurant owners, chefs, and hospitality companies, then adapting quickly when the pandemic shifted her clients’ needs toward real estate, landlord-tenant, and bankruptcy issues. That variety prepared her for the unpredictable challenges of in-house counsel work.

“Lawyers shouldn’t shy away from assignments that make them uncomfortable,” she says. “You never know where those experiences will lead. By expanding my practice during the pandemic, I was unknowingly setting myself up for a career transition that I could not otherwise have achieved. Learning to be open to those challenges and changes is something that happened in the moment for me, and with the benefit of hindsight, I am so thankful my path led where it did.”

When the opportunity to join Ferrari arose, van Ackere was intrigued by the company’s combination of family-owned heritage and global influence. Working for a business that treats its employees like part of an extended family felt familiar to her, as the proud daughter of a small-business owner.

“For me, working for a family company like Ferrari felt natural,” she says. “I believe in the importance of its legacy and the promise of its future.”

She first led the legal team at Ferrari Financial Services, where she spent more than four years before stepping into the assistant general counsel role supporting the broader organization. Today, her responsibilities extend beyond traditional legal counsel. She collaborates with executives, finance leaders, and business teams on initiatives that affect both daily operations and long-term strategy. Her calendar reflects the diversity of her work—reviewing contracts one hour, preparing for a dealer meeting the next, and then heading to Monterey Car Week to represent the brand.

“My involvement has expanded beyond just a purely legal role,” she says. “It’s about being part of the company’s evolution and protecting what makes it extraordinary.”

Looking ahead, van Ackere wants to continue strengthening connections between Ferrari’s North American legal team and its counterparts in Italy, ensuring alignment across continents. She also hopes to mentor more women entering the legal field, helping them navigate the same challenges she once faced.

Her favorite model, the Ferrari Daytona SP3, reflects what she admires most about the company: power, precision, and the connection between past and future. They also symbolize her own professional approach—driven, thoughtful, and ready for what’s next.

“I’m lucky to return each morning to a job I truly enjoy,” she says. “And even luckier to do it for a company that believes in what its people can achieve.”