Our People
Our experienced team loves to share their passion for Italy. We not only expose our members to the Italian language, but we share an entire culture and community with all its nuances. We bring Italy to our members.
Staff Members
Claudia Pasqualetto was born and raised in Torino, but her background and heart are definitely Sicilian. She attended the Università degli Studi di Torino in Tourism and terminated her studies in accounting after moving to Sydney, Australia.
Beatrice Basso was born and raised in Asolo, near Venice. She is a curator, event organizer, teacher, and theater artist. After her studies in classics and theater at the University of Padua in Italy and Royal Holloway University of London, she moved to the Bay Area and worked in editing and outreach at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura of San Francisco.
Want to join our team? We are looking for an Italian Instructor! Job details here!
Instructors
Gabriella Pozzoli was born and grew up in Naples although her parents and all her family are from Milan. Gabriella graduated from the Università degli Studi Federico II in Naples, and she has a master’s degree in foreign Languages and Literature.
Patrizia Lissoni was born in a small town, Cassina de’ Pecchi, on the outskirt of Milan. In Italy, she studied at the Catholic University in Milan where she received her degree in Special Education. In the US, she studied at the University of California Los Angeles, where she received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Italian.
Lily Martone was born and raised in Napoli, the third largest Italian city and the birthplace of the original wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. After attending Liceo Classico, she earned her laurea in Lingue e Lettere Moderne at the Università L’Orientale in Naples.
Elisa Meazzini
from Trieste
Born and raised in Trieste, Elisa Meazzini has a Master of Arts degree in Communication Science and has been a member of the Italian Association of Journalists (list of Professionals) since 2004.
Lindsay Eufusia
from Stati Uniti
Born and raised in California, Lindsay’s Italian roots trace back to San Giorio di Susa (Piemonte). She began her own study of Italian in earnest at UCSD, then earned a BA in Italian from UC Berkeley and a Masters and PhD in Italian Studies from New York University.
Board Members
Paul Pitingaro
President
Robin Witkin
Vice - President
Angela Ruscigno
Board Member
Donald Stadelli
Treasurer
Carol Gratzke-Patterson
Budget & Finance
Barbara Carra
Board Member
Robert Contin
Board Member
Diane Kenney
Board Secretary
Education Programming
Alessandra Sgubini
Board Member
Andrea Zarattini
Board Member
Maria Romano de Leon
Board Member