Executive Director: Raymond Guarini
 
Ray began documenting Italian enclaves and Italian National parishes about nine years ago. The desire to create a finite list of Italian enclaves and corresponding churches in the United States propelled an almost decade long journey during which Ray realized the breadth of the endeavor would require a team of dedicated individuals from different walks of life who commonly possessed an interest in Italian American culture and history. Ray is a Managing Director of a venture capital firm in New York City and specializes in equity financing for companies in biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare and fintech.

Board Member: Michael DeSapio

Mike is a life long resident of Kingwood Township located in rural Hunterdon County, New Jersey. While not necessarily an Italian enclave, it certainly felt like one growing up  in the close-knit (and sizable) De Sapio family – instilling in Mike, his five brothers, and numerous cousins a strong sense of pride in their Italian roots and culture.Mike first connected with his ancestral homeland during a study abroad experience, living in Milan for six months. His time abroad enabled him to study the Italian language and history, tour most regions of the country, and visit the hometown of both his paternal (Monteforte Irpino, Campania) and maternal (Benestare, Calabria) families. The highlight of the experience was the opportunity to become acquainted with his cousins from the De Sapio family still living in Monteforte, a relationship that continues today.  Mike has since made a dozen trips back to bell’Italia, and tries to return whenever possible.  It always feels like going home again.Throughout the years, Mike has worked to promote the Italian and Italian-American cultures. He is a longtime member of several Italian American organizations, including the National Italian American Foundation, past president and Board member of the Italian American Heritage Club of Hunterdon County, and board member of the Italian American Baseball Foundation.Mike’s educational experience includes a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies from Penn State University, a J.D. from Widener University. The love for all things Italian prompted Mike to established De Sapio Dual Citizenship Services to assist applicants for Italian Citizenship. 

Board Member, Research and Social Media: Dominic Brusca
 
Dominic was born and raised in an Italian American family in metro Detroit. He competes as a track athlete at DePaul University, and has been able to expand his knowledge of Italian American culture through his experiences living in Chicago. He has always been interested in his heritage, and grew to love the stories and history of Italians in America. He aspires to continue learning about Italian American culture with the goal of preserving the history and traditions for generations to come.
 

Board Member: Dominique Sessa

Dominique is a disabled Italian American woman with a passion  for inclusion, being a leading voice for the Italian American disability community, accessibility in preservation work, and Italian history and culture.

She founded The Girl in The Pink Wheelchair. She’s known locally, statewide, and nationwide for advocacy. It also has allowed women and young girls to find a connective solution through her platform. 

Dominique is the founder of Italo American Imagery. It’s the first accessible Italo-American digital archive. The project focuses on telling the stories of Italians and Italian Americans, historical enrichment, genealogy, and preservation of Italian and Italian Americans.

She also founded and created the Italian American Disability Alliance. This platform allows both disabled Italians and Italian Americans to engage in community, culture and advocate together.

She proudly serves her state in these roles: Chairwoman of the Assistive Technology Loan Program Board of Directorsof Maryland, a Commissionerfor theMaryland Commission on Disabilities and the Maryland Advisory Council on Hereditary and Congenital Disorders. Dominique is an active community member in her City by serving on Committees and volunteering,  enthusiastic about Italian history, and a published writer.

Board Member: Stephen Cerulli

Stephen J. Cerulli is the Bennet Distinguished Fellow at Fordham University, where he is a Ph.D. candidate in Modern History. He holds two appointments at The City University of New York as a Lecturer in Social Sciences at Hostos Community College and as a researcher at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College. He most recently edited and wrote a critical introduction for the second edition of Giovanni Schiavo’s The Italians in America Before the Revolution.