- Co-sponsored by the Viola Family, the fourth annual Italian American Future Leaders Convention (IAFL4) — held Jan. 16–19 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. — equipped participants with the tools to translate cultural pride into measurable civic, social and organizational outcomes.
- “I’m proud to say that ISDA has had over 30 of its young members attend the IAFL program, more than any other organization in the country. This ensures that ISDA will have a great new generation of talented leaders to guide the future of our organization,” said ISDA President Basil Russo.
The 4th annual Italian American Future Leaders Convention (IAFL4) drew 350 attendees ages 21–35 to South Florida this past week to examine cultural identity, accelerate leadership development and advance strategies for long-term community impact.
Sponsored in part by the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), the four-day, all-expense-paid convention is a rising national fellowship platform where Italian American professionals, students and advocates connect to address opportunities and obstacles, while amplifying 21st-century approaches and community-building.
“Fellows” (first-time attendees) and “Alumni” (returning participants) engaged in tailored workshops and panels exploring dual citizenship pathways and ancestry insight, nonprofit and association leadership, social media and digital storytelling by “Growing Up Italian,” and the development of independent offshoots designed to celebrate and illuminate culture at the grassroots level.
Beyond formal programming, IAFL4 featured networking opportunities, catered Italian cuisine, VIP amenities, a rooftop welcome reception, a popup bocce tournament, traditional dance and a closing celebration.
ISDA continues to invest in leadership development as a strategic priority for the community’s future.
Through its all-expense-paid model, including hotel accommodations, meals and transportation, IAFL lowers barriers to participation while expanding its national reach.
“As we look ahead to IAFL5, we’re incredibly proud of what has been built over the past four years and excited by what comes next,” said IAFL Executive Director Andrea Mauck. “The next convention will be a milestone moment, celebrating our successes, and continuing to raise the bar as we deepen our commitment to the Italian American community nationwide.”
Click HERE to view viral social media coverage from IAFL4.
IAFL President and co-founder John Viola will tease the planning for year five of the convention, dubbed “ItalAmericon,” in the coming months.
“Being at the IAFL Convention, you could truly feel the love and pride for our Italian heritage and culture in the room,” said ISDA National Co-Vice President Danielle Salasavage. “Seeing so many young adults connecting with one another and sharing the incredible work they’re doing in their communities and organizations made me so proud to be among them. It was inspiring to witness firsthand a generation so passionate about keeping our traditions, values, and culture alive, and I have no doubt they will continue to carry our heritage forward for years to come.”
In 1930, immigrant families banded together to create the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), now one of the most prominent and financially successful Italian American organizations in the nation. In the last decade, we built a 730,000-strong social media community, grew our not-for-profit fraternal association, ISDA Financial Life, to nearly a half billion dollars in member assets, co-founded the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF), and launched the fastest-growing Italian American publication (La Nostra Voce).
