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!