Ottavia holds a Bachelor of Law cum laude from the University of Bologna and a Master of Law with Distinction in Financial Law from King's College London, earned through a double degree program. Her academic focus encompassed securitisation, derivatives, and shadow banking regulation, with her final dissertation centred on Banking Law.

Prior to joining Tancredi, Ottavia worked in the Press Office of the Italian Embassy in the UK, handled legal claims at an aviation insurance company in Brussels, and was admitted to the Military Academy of Modena in Italy where she underwent training for future high-ranking Army officers. Additionally, Ottavia dedicated her time to pro bono work at King's College Legal Clinic providing legal advice. She also collaborated with the European Law Students Association (ELSA).

Ottavia is fluent in English, Italian, and has business proficiency in French.