Our People

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. 

Learn more about Claudia here! 

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.

Learn more about Beatrice 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.

Learn more about Gabriella here

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. 

Learn more about Patrizia here

Simonetta (Cioni) Carr was born in Reggio Emilia, Italy and has spent most of her youth in Milan. After marrying, she has lived and worked in different cultures, teaching Italian to foreigners, writing for newspapers and
magazines (both foreign and Italian), and translating literary works and legal documents from English to Italian and vice versa. 

Learn more about Simonetta here 

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.

Learn more about Lily here 


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. She worked for 20 years in the field, especially as a reporter and as anchor for daily news for the regional TV station Telequattro.

Learn more about Elisa here 

Sara Venneri was born and raised in Puglia (the heel of the boot). Sara is passionate about Italian language and culture, and she loves sharing them with others. Sara is experienced in tutoring and teaching Italian to students of all ages and from all backgrounds. 

Learn more about Sara here

Board Members


Paul Pitingaro
President

Robin Witkin
Vice - President
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Barbara Carra
Events & Workshops

Robert Contin
Board Member

Diane Kenney
Board Secretary
Education Programming

Maria Romano de Leon
Board Member

Angela Ruscigno
Board Member

Donald Stadelli
Treasurer

Carol Gratzke-Patterson
Budget & Finance