Last night, from Cipriani’s Ballroom at 42nd Street in Manhattan, “Volare” by Domenico Modugno, revisited in a jazz key, hovers in the air. The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) hosted its annual New York Gala to celebrate the success of exceptional Italians and Italian Americans and honor Managing Director at KKR Monica Mandelli, CEO and General Manager of Terna S.p.A. Giuseppina Di Foggia, and President and CEO of the NY Building Congress Carlo Scissura for their commitment to promote Italians in the U.S. NIAF awarded a $100,000 grant to La Scuola d’Italia to encourage next generation.
Among the Italian dignitaries in the City, who were attending various events, there was Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies Giorgio Mulé; President of Tuscany region Eugenio Giani, who celebrated the 500th anniversary of Giovanni da Verrazzano’s exploration of New York Harbor; President of Friuli-Venezia Giulia region Massimiliano Fedriga, nominated 2024 NIAF Region of Honor; North and Central America segment deputies Christian Di Sanzo, Andrea Di Giuseppe and Francesca La Marca; and the Consul General of Italy in New York Fabrizio Di Michele who introduced the event. More than 630 people took part in the Gala.
Ms. Mandelli came here after her graduation from Bocconi University. “It was something unheard of for a young woman coming here by herself. The City was as big as my dreams and felt different every time. I wanted to fit in so bad that I attended an elocution school to reduce my Italian accent. But I understood that being different was my superpower, ours I should say. In that moment I did find my voice. This award is for anyone who is an immigrant or a child of an immigrant. Everything is possible with perseverance. I’m just getting started as far as I’m concerned,” Ms. Mondelli said in her acceptance speech. She is a philanthropist, a woman committed to helping and promoting women in their careers. She was awarded by Italian President Sergio Mattarella as “Cavaliere della Repubblica” in 2019.
Ms. Di Foggia is a pioneer who has paved the way for many women to pursue careers in the STEM environment. “Every day working in such a difficult and demanding environment is such a humbling experience. Every time they try to recognize my limitations I thrive for more,” she said. Ms. Di Foggia was awarded by Italian President Sergio Mattarella as “Cavaliere del Lavoro” in 2021 for her commitment to Information and Communication Technologies.
Mr. Scissura increased visibility across the five boroughs and the entire region on the Building Congress in Brooklyn and a focus on securing infrastructure investment from the city, state and federal levels of government. He was priorly President & CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, which grew to over 2,200 members under his leadership. “Who are we Italian-Americans? We are the largest group in New York, New Jersey. We have Italians everywhere, we are doctors, lawyers, engineers, we are leaders in the US industries. It all comes down to being us. But there is still a stigma against us. We need to stay united, bring it home as one.”
