Part think tank, part retreat, part celebration: Italian American Future Leaders (IAFL) has bridged generations to solve a long running demographic dilemma.
Italian American Future Leaders (IAFL), an influential fellowship and networking platform that’s empowering and engaging younger generations (ages 21 – 35), held its 2nd national conference, “IAFL2,” at Amerant Bank Arena on Jan. 12 – 15.
The latest conference was comprised of nearly 200 fellows (first-time attendees), alumni (returning attendees), mentors and presenters, who, together, conducted rounds of group ideation, cultural analysis and networking sessions — all to develop initiatives and strategies that are either tailored toward younger generations, or that seek to drive inter-generational collaboration.
HIGHLIGHT REEL: ISDA National President Basil M. Russo delivers remarks outlining the mission and spirit of IAFL:
“This event flies in the face of the idea that younger Italian Americans don’t want to engage their heritage,” said IAFL Co-Founder and President John Viola. “In fact, they have a clearer vision, better ideas, and more passion than any prior generation. They just need a venue to be heard, with resources to take ideas into action, and at IAFL, we provide those conditions. I think the future of Italian America is very promising.”
Planning for “IAFL3” in 2025 is already underway, and, on the local level, fellows and alumni — from California to New York — are launching new organizations and events on the local level to engage the next generation of the Italian American experience.
Nine committees comprised of alumni and mentors co-organized IAFL2; and a chair and vice chair, ISDA member Patrick Campesi and Gianna Pileggi, have been appointed to help lead this bellwether platform.
“These young folks have the acumen, ambition and charisma to chart a new course for the Italian American culture that pays tribute to our past and ignites a future built on their vision, not mine — and that’s the point,” said IAFL Co-Founder and ISDA National President Basil Russo.
Twenty ISDA members attended the inaugural conference in 2023 and a dozen attended this year. As we speak, ISDA member Lydia Cancilla and her peers are creating a younger generations lodge, called Little Italy Future Leaders, in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood.
“I am truly grateful to have been able to return to Florida this year for IAFL2. IAFL brings people together who have a love for their shared culture and who are ready to discuss important issues Italian Americans face today. Although many arrive as strangers, after a meaningful weekend of deep discussions, shared meals and singing, we leave as friends,” said Pileggi.
Additional Italian American Future Leaders (IAFL) events are in the works — stay tuned!
This article first appeared in the February 2024 edition of ISDA’s monthly Italian American newspaper, La Nostra Voce. Subscribe here
