According to early accounts, she demonstrated a strong religious inclination from a young age and she was even said to have made a private vow of dedication to God around the age of seven. As a teenager, she resisted family expectations of marriage, at one point cutting her hair as an act of protest.

Rather than entering a convent, Catherine joined the Mantellate, a lay branch of the Dominican order, and lived primarily at home under a disciplined routine of prayer and service.

By her 20s, her role had expanded beyond private devotion. She became active in caring for the sick and poor, particularly in local hospitals in Siena, where plague victims suffered in conditions that were beyond substandard.

Her reputation for piety and commitment drew attention, and she became known locally as a santa donna, or “holy woman.”

Catherine is perhaps best known for her extensive correspondence. She wrote hundreds of letters to a wide range of figures, including civic leaders, clergy and rulers, addressing political, social and religious issues of the time.

During the period when the papacy was based in Avignon, she urged Pope Gregory XI to return the papal seat to Rome. He did so in 1377, a move to which her advocacy is often linked.

In addition to her letters, she authored The Dialogue, along with various prayers and writings that contributed to her lasting influence in both religious and literary contexts.

Catherine died in Rome in 1380 at the age of 33.

Her recognition grew in the centuries that followed.

She was canonized in 1461, declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970, and is recognized as a patron saint of Italy and, later, of Europe.

Catherine of Siena resonates less as a distant historical figure and more as a reflection of lived tradition.

Her outspoken advocacy was grounded in her home and community, a pattern familiar to generations of Italian Americans, where devotion is practiced daily and often shaped by a matriarchal influence.

She held no formal authority, yet her voice carried weight, reinforcing a cultural respect for influence earned through service and conviction rather than title.

Her Feast Day is celebrated on April 29.

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In the Italian American community of Western New York, tradition is not simply remembered, it is lived, shared, and passed lovingly from one generation to the next. Few families embody that spirit more beautifully than Danette Porto and her granddaughter Danielle Salasavage, whose commitment to heritage, community, and service has helped strengthen Italian American organizations both locally and nationally.

Danette’s journey of service began in 1962 when she joined the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA). Over the decades, she became a respected and beloved leader within the organization and the wider Italian American community. For more than 16 years, Danette served as WNY District Vice President, dedicating countless hours to advancing the mission of ISDA and supporting lodges throughout the district. Her leadership extended nationally as well, serving as a National Councilor and as a member of the ISDA Financial Life Board of Directors.

Danette’s devotion to community extends far beyond titles. She has long been a cornerstone of the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival, an event deeply tied to her family’s history. The festival was co-founded in 1975 by her late husband, Ed Porto, and Danette has continued to honor his legacy through her ongoing volunteerism and dedication to the event. Her passion for preserving Italian culture and bringing the community together remains as strong today as it was when the festival first began all those years ago on Connecticut Street in Buffalo, N.Y.

See past Donna Distinta winners here. 

Her commitment to heritage and service is reflected in the many organizations she continues to support. Danette serves on the boards of both the Association of Italian American Women and the Federation of Italian American Societies of Western New York, working to promote Italian culture, heritage, and unity within the community. Known for her warmth, generosity, and pride in her roots, Danette has always believed that the strength of the Italian American community lies in family, tradition, and giving back.

For Danette, preserving Italian culture has always been a family affair. She raised her family with a strong appreciation for Italian traditions from family dinners and gatherings to participation in community events and cultural celebrations. She believed that heritage was something meant to be lived every day, not just remembered on special occasions. Through her decades of involvement in organizations, festivals, and cultural initiatives, Danette helped ensure that future generations would continue to celebrate their Italian roots with pride.

It is perhaps no surprise, then, that Danette’s passion for heritage and service inspired the next generation. Her granddaughter, Danielle Salasavage, has proudly followed in her footsteps carrying forward the family’s legacy while making history of her own.

In 2008, when Danette stepped down after years of service as WNY District National Vice President, Danielle assumed the role, becoming the youngest District National Vice President in ISDA history. Like her grandmother, Danielle has also served on the ISDA Financial Life Board of Directors, continuing the family tradition of leadership within the organization.

In 2025, Danielle achieved another historic milestone when she was nominated and elected National Vice President for the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America, becoming one of the first two women to hold a national office within the organization. Her election represents not only a personal achievement but also a meaningful step forward for women’s leadership within Italian American fraternal organizations nationwide.

Beyond ISDA, Danielle is deeply involved in numerous Italian American organizations and cultural initiatives throughout Western New York. She serves on the board of directors for the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival, helping to steward the very event her grandfather founded, and her grandmother helped nurture for decades. She is also President of ISDA Volare Lodge #269, Vice President of the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo, Assistant Treasurer for the Federation of Italian American Societies of Western New York and a member of the Association of Italian American Women. Danielle works alongside many community leaders including her grandmother to celebrate and uplift Italian heritage and culture.

Her commitment to cultural preservation is especially evident in her leadership roles within the region’s Italian Heritage Month celebrations. Danielle serves as Chairwoman of the Italian Heritage Parade and Co-Chair of the Italian Heritage Month Flag Raising and Opening Ceremony, helping to organize and promote events that celebrate the history, contributions, and traditions of Italian Americans.

On a national level in addition to her roles within the ISDA, Danielle also serves as an Ambassador for We the Italians, connecting with organizations, leaders, and advocates across the country who share a passion for celebrating Italian culture and promoting the positive impact of Italian Americans in society.

What makes Danielle’s work particularly meaningful is her commitment to ensuring that younger generations become involved in preserving Italian American culture. Having grown up attending festivals, parades, lodge meetings, and cultural events, Danielle developed a deep appreciation for the importance of community engagement at an early age. Those early experiences created lifelong friendships and connections that continue to shape her work today.

Through conferences, national meetings, and cultural initiatives, Danielle has helped build relationships with Italian American organizations and leaders across the country. Her efforts have strengthened collaboration between groups both locally and nationally, reinforcing a shared commitment to celebrating heritage and preserving traditions.

Both Danette and Danielle share a belief that Italian American organizations are about much more than meetings and events, they are about building relationships, preserving history, and creating a sense of belonging for future generations.

Their story is one of legacy, mentorship, and love for community. Growing up, Danielle witnessed firsthand her grandmother’s unwavering dedication to family, faith, and service. The lessons Danette instilled, pride in heritage, commitment to community, and the importance of honoring those who came before, continue to guide Danielle’s work today.

Together, Danette Porto and Danielle Salasavage represent more than two generations of leadership, they represent the enduring power of family and the importance of passing cultural traditions forward.

Their shared story serves as a powerful reminder that the strength of the Italian American community lies in the dedication of families who commit themselves to preserving traditions, celebrating culture, and ensuring that the spirit of their ancestors continues to thrive.

From grandmother to granddaughter, the legacy continues guided by the values that have long defined the Italian American experience: family, faith, tradition, and community.

The final 2026 Donna Distinta honoree will be announced in the May edition of La Nostra Voce.

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I am the new Senior Executive of Sales and Marketing for ISDA Financial Life, and I am truly excited to join this organization and bring energy, vision, and momentum to this role.

Over the past 25 years, I have built a distinguished career in the insurance industry, leading teams at both national and regional levels, including five years within the fraternal market. My experience includes recruiting, developing, and managing brokers and agents, as well as educating them in product knowledge and effective sales strategies.

My strength in relationship building has been central to my success—driving recruitment, mentorship, motivation, and long-term growth.

Through these efforts, I secured contracts with more than 30 national IMOs and successfully contracted and supported hundreds of independent agents.

Having achieved success as both a leader and a producer, I bring a proven ability to lead by example, inspire performance, and deliver measurable results. I look forward to contributing to ISDA’s growth and expanding its reach and impact.

On a personal note, I was born and raised in Western PA, where I continue to reside with my husband. We are fortunate to have our two adult sons, their wives, and their growing families nearby.

I also come from a very large Italian family, which makes this opportunity especially meaningful to me. For that reason, this role is not only a professional endeavor, but a personal connection to the values of family, tradition, and community that ISDA represents.

Earn more today with ISDA Financial Life.

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After several years of anticipation, the 49th Debutante Presentation Ball is officially returning to Pittsburgh, PA, on May 1, 2027 — bringing back one of our region’s most cherished traditions.

This elegant event celebrates the achievements, character, and community involvement of young women as they take part in a once-in-a-lifetime milestone.

Each year, participants form lifelong friendships, strengthen their confidence, and foster a deeper sense of community responsibility.

Organizers are currently seeking applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Young women ages 15–20 (Birth years 2007–2012)
• Parents hold fraternal memberships with ISDA
• Demonstrated interest in community service, personal development, and upholding the values of the debutante tradition
• Willingness to participate in pre-ball activities and rehearsals during the 2026–2027 season

Whether applicants are involved in academics, the arts, athletics, or volunteer work, the program encourages well-rounded young women who wish to grow, learn, and represent their communities with pride.

A Tradition of Grace, Service & Celebration

The 49th Debutante Ball will feature a season of enriching experiences leading up to the official presentation. Participants can look forward to:

• Community engagement opportunities
• Social events and rehearsals
• A formal presentation before family, friends, and distinguished guests

This year’s return marks a special milestone for the organization and the surrounding community. The 2027 Ball promises to blend tradition with a renewed spirit, offering an unforgettable experience for those selected.

How to Apply

Those interested in participating in the 49th Debutante Presentation Ball may request more information or an application packet by contacting the organizing committee at cmdavison93@ gmail.com

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By Danielle Salasavage, National Vice President (Order), ISDA

For as long as I can remember, the Italian Sons and Daughters of America has been part of my life. In many ways, I was born into it, surrounded by the traditions, values, and people who have made this organization a pillar of our Italian American community for generations. To now step into a leadership role within the ISDA is both an extraordinary honor and a deeply personal milestone.

My connection to this organization began long before I fully understood its significance. The ISDA has shaped my identity from childhood through adulthood, not only through its programs and events, but through the relationships, the shared pride, and the powerful sense of family that defines who we are. The ISDA has never been just an organization to me; it has been a lifelong home.

My grandparents were among my earliest and most influential guides. They instilled in me a profound love for our Italian heritage, for service, and for the community that binds us. From them, I learned that leadership in the ISDA is an act of stewardship, honoring the sacrifices and achievements of those before us, and ensuring that our culture, traditions, and values continue to thrive for future generations.

Along my journey, I have been blessed to learn from exceptional mentors, some still with us, and some whose memory I carry with deep affection. Those we have lost continue to shape me in lasting ways. Their wisdom, integrity, and encouragement live on in the work I do and in the commitments I make. I feel their presence in every step forward, and I remain grateful for the imprint they left on my life and on this organization.

My Italian heritage has always been the foundation of who I am. It is reflected in our faith, our food, our traditions, our music, and above all, in the strength of our community. Through the ISDA, I have gained some of my closest friends and most trusted mentors, people who share the same passion for celebrating and preserving what it means to be Italian American.

As I move forward in this leadership role, I do so with heartfelt gratitude for everyone who has shaped my journey, and with deep love for every member of this remarkable organization. Together, we will continue to build on the legacy entrusted to us keeping our culture vibrant, our community united, and our mission strong for generations to come.

“Community is at the heart of who we are at ISDA, and I’m grateful to share this leadership journey with someone who carries our shared traditions and purpose. Danielle and I are proud to be the first women to help lead the Order and Fraternal. The future is bright, and our commitment to all of you remains strong. We look forward to all that we will build together.”

–Sharon Cerrone, National Vice President (Fraternal), ISDA

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The June 2025 Donna Distinta Award goes to Pamela Dorazio Dean, a historian, archivist and director of the Italian American Museum of Cleveland (IAMCLE), in recognition of her preservation and celebration of Italian American history and culture. A dedicated leader whose work bridges scholarship, community, and personal legacy, Pamela stands as a powerful example of how honoring the past can help shape a more inclusive and vibrant future.

For Pamela, the award is both personal and profound. “I’m incredibly honored and humbled to receive this award,” she shared. “But I can’t help thinking of my parents — especially my father. He was the son of Italian immigrants. He grew up facing discrimination because of his ethnicity. What would he think now, seeing his daughter being recognized for helping lead the Italian American community and preserving this history? That’s what makes this moment so meaningful.”

Pamela was born and raised on the East Side of Cleveland, Ohio, during the 1970s and 80s. While Cleveland is widely known as a city of immigrants with distinct ethnic enclaves, the neighborhood where she grew up was more mixed — home to Lithuanians, Italians, Croatians, Slovenians, and other second- and third-generation Americans.

Her maternal great-grandparents emigrated from Poland and settled in Cleveland in the early 1890s, while her paternal grandparents arrived from Civitella Messer Raimondo in Abruzzo, Italy, in 1910, settling in the small coal mining town of Bentleyville in western Pennsylvania. Pamela’s father, Frank, moved to Cleveland in the 1950s in search of greater opportunity, where he met her mother, Rosemarie. Though her household preserved elements of both cultures, especially in food and family traditions, her parents belonged to a generation encouraged to assimilate. Ethnic identity was often softened in favor of “being American.”

“Growing up, I felt that my parents were the ones who had the ethnic identity, and I was outside of it,” Pamela reflected. “My mother spoke Polish to her family and friends, but never to us. My father didn’t speak Italian, though he understood some. For me, I saw myself as a typical American kid.” It wasn’t until observing a friend who was immersed in Croatian culture, language school, folk dance, and community events, that Pamela began to reflect on her own heritage more deeply.

To learn about past Donna Distinta winners, click here.

Her initial curiosity turned toward her Polish ancestry, but over time, her Italian heritage grew increasingly prominent. As she matured and engaged in deeper conversations with her Italian relatives, her interest in that part of her identity flourished, especially as she entered college. At Kent State University, she studied Italian language and began tracing her genealogy. Though her career ambitions were initially broader, focused on museum work and public history, her heritage would eventually take center stage.

Pamela earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy and a Master of Arts in History with a concentration in Public History from Kent State. Her academic path laid the groundwork for what would become a remarkable career in history museums and cultural preservation. In 2017, she furthered her professional credentials by becoming a Certified Archivist through the Academy of Certified Archivists. In 2023, she studied the Italian diaspora in Rome through a program offered by The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and Roma Tre University, further deepening her international perspective on migration, identity, and belonging.

In 2006, Pamela joined the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS), one of Ohio’s oldest cultural institutions, as a curator and archivist specializing in Italian American history. She took on the challenge of organizing and expanding a collection documenting the Italian Americans of Northeast Ohio that had been underrepresented and under-resourced. Her work included building archives, developing public programs, and curating exhibitions, most notably “Domare: The Art & History of Italian Stone Carving in Northeast Ohio,” which highlighted a rich but often overlooked contribution of Italian Americans to the region’s built environment.

Perhaps her most impactful achievement has been the establishment, development, curation, and administration of the Italian American Museum of Cleveland. As founding director, Pamela helped transform a vision into a thriving institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the Italian American experience in all its complexity. IAMCLE is now a cornerstone of cultural life in Northeast Ohio, displaying artifacts, documents, and community narratives that share the positive contributions Italian Americans have made to the region. Under her leadership, the museum has expanded its offerings to include educational programming, lectures, workshops, cultural celebrations, and student engagement initiatives. Through this multifaceted approach, IAMCLE not only safeguards history but brings it vividly to life for new generations.

Her leadership has garnered recognition across the region. Pamela has received awards from the American Nationalities Movement, the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), and the Cleveland Italian American Heritage Committee, which she has chaired since 2016. In 2024, she was invited by ISDA National President Basil Russo to attend a special reception at the White House in honor of Italian American Heritage Month, hosted by former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and President Joe Biden.

Pamela also serves on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Ohio Inter-Museum Council and has served on the Board of Advisors for her alma mater, Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, and the Cleveland Archival Roundtable. She is an honorary member of Il Cenacolo Italiano di Cleveland and a proud member of the ISDA University Lodge, led by Marie Frank. Pamela is a contributing editor to the ISDA’s national journal, La Nostra Voce. As a speaker and author, she has brought vital attention to issues of ethnic identity, immigrant experience, and the importance of community-based storytelling.

But while her resume is extensive, it’s the emotional thread that runs through Pamela’s work that makes her legacy so compelling. Through her roles as historian, curator, and community advocate, she has reconnected with her own heritage in profound ways. “Because of my work, I’ve deeply explored my Italian roots and come to understand how much they shaped my upbringing, even when I didn’t realize it. From the food to the family structure, the culture was always there.”

Receiving the Donna Distinta Award is more than a professional honor, it is a full-circle moment. “This award doesn’t just belong to me,” she said. “It belongs to my grandparents, who arrived with nothing but hope. It belongs to my father, who bore the weight of shame for what should have been a source of pride. It belongs to my mother, who held our world together with strength and grace, and to my siblings, who walked beside me through it all. It belongs to my daughter, who will carry our story forward. And, finally, it belongs to every child of immigrants who has ever wondered if their story truly matters.”

In honoring Pamela Dorazio Dean, the Donna Distinta Award celebrates not only her accomplishments, but her courage to look back, dig deep, and turn memory into mission. Through her work, she has ensured that the stories and contributions of Italian Americans are not only remembered, but revered. Her impact on Cleveland’s cultural landscape is lasting. And her legacy, rooted in resilience, compassion, and community will continue to inspire generations to come.

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The May 2025 Donna Distinta Award goes to Ms. Marie Palladino. Palladino is the Head of Education at New York City’s Italian American Museum, the first museum in the United States dedicated to Italian American history and culture. She received her Master of Arts in Museum Education from Tufts University in 2017, and Bachelor of Arts in Italian Studies and Art History from the University of Rhode Island in 2010. She has dedicated much of her career to developing educational resources including programs, curriculum, and exhibits on Italian American culture and history.

“The one thing they can never take away from you is your education,” is a piece of advice that Marie always remembers her grandfather reciting to his children and grandchildren. He was from a family of contadini class immigrants from Frosinone but would prioritize academic learning in his household. He set the bar by receiving the first college degree in the Palladino family, not an easy feat for a kid coming out of a Southern Italian immigrant community in those days. He would go on to become an educator himself, inspiring all his children and grandchildren to graduate from college. Each one of them. She credits him, and both her parents (all three K-12 educators) with what her father calls her “educator gene.”

Basil M. Russo, the president of ISDA and COPOMIAO, will present the 2025 Donna Distinta Awards on June 7 in NYC. 

Marie was born in Boston, Mass., to an Italian American family hailing from Sicily, Lazio, Emilia Romagna, and Umbria. She often considers the stark contradiction for her grandparents and parents, the first generations in this country after hundreds of years of agricultural living in another. They pushed to make changes with no manual, no example, and much sacrifice in a strange and not always welcoming new corner of the world. Aside from her parents, she was largely raised by her Sicilian grandmother, Stella, who would take her regularly when she was as young as 3 years old to Sons and Daughters of Italy meetings while she served as President, Vice President, and many other board positions at her lodge over the span of Marie’s childhood. Marie was constantly immersed in Sicilian and Italian community culture from an early age. This granted her a deep understanding of the importance and fragility of preserving the folkloric aspects of her heritage.

Marie began by starting an Italian Club at her high school, along with a foreign exchange program to Siena. “Every other language program had an exchange trip except ours, and we had one of the largest ethnic populations in the school without one.” That’s what she argued to the school board at the age of 16 before getting the Siena Exchange Program formally approved. She recalls thinking about how many Italian American peers she had, some even learning Italian in school beside her, but all without outlets to explore their own Italian American identities. “It always made me pause when we would learn about Rome, Florence, and Venice, but aspects of Italian culture connected to Italian American experience — Calabrese, Pugliese, Sicilianu, among others were often left out if not entirely dismissed in the curriculum.”

To see past winners, click here.

She would go on to study Italian Studies at the University of Rhode Island but also was confused about the lack of connections between Italian and Italian American culture in the program. She was in her 20s when she figured out that her grandparents’ regional languages, specifically Sicilianu, was not “immigrant slang” or “the wrong Italian” as she learned in the classroom, echoing nearly identical remarks that teachers made to her grandparents 70 years before.

Perhaps it was serendipity then that Marie, at the end of her final semester in college, would be sent to an Intercollegiate Italian Summit at Harvard University on behalf of the URI Italian Studies faculty to represent the department. It was here that she met her soon-to-be mentor and employer, Dr. Joseph Scelsa, Founder and President of the Italian American Museum who invited her to intern at the newly opened IAM in New York City’s Little Italy. “This was when things really started making more sense to me, I was able to process the history of my people from the lens of a historian, and I could then make sense of my own cultural identity, what it means to be Italian American, how it’s directly related but different from Italian culture and just as valuable.” Marie also fell in love with listening to thousands of Italian Americans who came to the Museum, hearing about countless family histories and how each individual related to them. She aimed to guide them in filling in the gaps in their own history that may not have been passed down to them. “I love seeing the faces of Italian American high school students that are studying Italian, coming from their own Italian Clubs, and learning that their ancestors had their own regional languages. I love seeing them explore connections to their heritage and learn about the positive contributions Italians made to America.”

Currently Marie is wrapping up a 7-year-long project, as she project manages the Museum’s permanent exhibit, focusing on the achievements and obstacles of Italians in America dating back to the 16th century. The Museum aims to open this new offering in the latter part of 2025.

To learn more about Marie’s work, and that of the Italian American Museum in New York, please visit italianamericanmuseum.org, or follow @Italianamericanmuseum on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or X.

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Dario Franceschini, a former culture minister from the center-left Democratic Party, introduced the measure, calling it an effort to “right a historic wrong.”

The proposal is rooted in a landmark 2022 ruling by Italy’s constitutional court, which found the automatic assignment of the father’s surname to be “discriminatory and harmful to the child’s identity.” The court held that children should receive both parents’ surnames in an order agreed upon by the parents — or just one, if mutually decided. In cases of dispute or indecision, a judge would determine the outcome.

To enforce the ruling, new legislation was required. However, the issue was tabled after Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition came to power six months later. Franceschini has now revived the matter, arguing that assigning only the maternal surname by default would avoid “endless problems” tied to double surnames or forcing parents to choose between the mother’s or father’s surname.

Currently, as in many countries, children born in Italy are automatically registered with their father’s surname. The mother’s surname is typically permitted only in cases where the father is absent from the child’s life.

Franceschini said he plans to formally present the bill in the coming days. The proposal has already drawn criticism from members of Meloni’s coalition, who argue that more pressing national issues deserve parliament’s attention.

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For over a decade, Andrea Bartlett has curated high-profile Italian events in Washington, D.C. and New York City, bringing together prominent Italians and Italian Americans from around the world. Now, as the Executive Director of Italian American Future Leaders (IAFL), she spearheads the newest organization dedicated to uniting younger Italian Americans through a flagship annual event — one that inspires them to embrace and celebrate their heritage more deeply in their everyday lives. Her expertise lies in seamlessly weaving Italian traditions into every event and ensuring attendees leave with a renewed sense of pride in their Italian roots.

Andrea’s journey back to her heritage was anything but conventional. Born into a military family, she moved every two years across the United States and internationally due to her father’s assignments as a military officer. She attended military base schools, surrounded by peers with similar nomadic upbringings, always preparing for the next move. While her family proudly traced their roots to Sicily and Calabria, visits to her Italian relatives in upstate New York were rare, as her family was frequently stationed in places like Spain, Turkey, and Japan. It was only when her father’s assignments brought them back to the U.S. that she could truly experience the warmth of her Italian family, savoring her nonna’s treasured recipes during short but meaningful reunions.

Basil M. Russo, the president of ISDA and COPOMIAO, will present the 2025 Donna Distinta Awards on June 7 in NYC.

To see past winners, click here.

After high school, Andrea attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where she studied Event Planning and Economics. Her passion for leadership flourished as she served as President of the Student Government Association, developing a love for planning, logistics, and leading teams toward success — all while ensuring those around her reaped the benefits of her hard work.

Upon graduation, Andrea pursued event planning roles that also satisfied her insatiable wanderlust. Her career took her to Manila, The Hague, and Amsterdam, all while she continued to explore Europe and Southeast Asia in her personal travels. In 2014, she discovered an opening at The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) for an Event Coordinator role and eagerly applied. At the time, NIAF’s youngest-ever president, John Viola, was at the helm and offered her the position — one that would change her life forever. Immersed in the world of Italian American leadership, she worked alongside influential figures like Basil Russo and became deeply entrenched in the culture she had longed to experience firsthand.

“For me, embracing my Italian heritage wasn’t something I grew up with every day, but at NIAF, I had to live and breathe it as my job. It was as if I was making up for lost time,” she said.

Over the course of a decade at NIAF, Andrea rose to Director of Events, leading teams in orchestrating remarkable Italian cultural experiences while frequently traveling to Italy. Now, as the Executive Director of IAFL, she works alongside founders Viola, Russo, and Patrick O’Boyle to shape the next generation of Italian American leaders.

As IAFL enters its fourth year, the team recognizes the significant work ahead in building a lasting foundation for the organization. Critical decisions will shape its future, and the executive team is committed to applying their collective experience to ensure its success. Their goal is to balance innovation with time-honored traditions, creating a thriving 501(c)(3) that evolves with the times while staying true to its mission.

For Andrea, the excitement of leading a new organization comes with late nights, constant emails and phone calls, and the challenge of developing policies from the ground up — something she has embraced since her university years.

“Time flies when you’re having fun, and when you’re lucky enough to be born Italian,” she concluded.

Visit IAFL’s website, iafuture.org, to learn more about this exciting new Italian American organization, and follow @italamericon on Instagram and Facebook for updates!

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Accompanied by her daughter Ashley, Dr. Biden explored the hometown of her great-grandparents, Gaetano and Concetta Giacoppo, who emigrated to the United States more than a century ago.

In a ceremony hosted by Messina Mayor Federico Basile, the First Lady reflected on her ancestors’ lives in the village, visiting the church where her great-grandmother was baptized in 1865.

“More than 100 years ago, my great-grandparents walked these narrow streets, spoke with their neighbors, and watched the stars come out at night,” Biden said.

“I saved the best for last” – Jill Biden chose to visit her ancestral Italian hometown, Gesso in Sicily, on her last trip as First Lady.
🇮🇹❤️🇺🇸 Benvenuta! Grazie @FLOTUS for being a great champion of Italy-US relations! pic.twitter.com/lXZNoQK8SW

— Italy in US (@ItalyinUS) December 4, 2024

Biden’s grandfather, Domenico Giacoppo, was 2 years old in 1900 when he and his parents left Sicily for a new life in America.

The family name was Anglicized at Ellis Island to Jacobs and the immigrants settled in New Jersey, where Domenico eventually worked as a deliveryman at a small furniture store.

“As first lady, I’ve brought the vibrant Italian American community together to celebrate our culture and sustain our traditions. I’ve even had the opportunity to serve gnocchi and braciole in the White House!”

In October, Biden hosted an Italian American leadership reception at the White House, which was co-organized by ISDA National President Basil Russo. At Russo’s invitation, Biden also delivered a heritage address at the ISDA’s annual banquet in downtown Pittsburgh this past July. 

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