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, Social Media, and Content Creator: Peter Battaglia
 
“I was born in Staten Italy NYC to parents of the first generation born in the USA.  My Maternal grandparents came from Avellino, Napoli, and Grassano (Matera).  My Paternal grandparents were both born in Sciacca, Sicily.  I’m a blend of Southern Italian regions and this was a huge part of growing up.  Being Italian American and from NYC has always been a source of pride for me.  My passions are my family, my wife of almost 40 years and our two beautiful daughters. My other passions are world travel, all things food, and especially Italian cuisine and Italian American cuisine.  For 40 years I’ve worked on Wall St, currently a Managing Director of Celadon Financial Corp. and currently living at the Jersey Shore.   On line I have a large presence with my Social Media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as A FOOD OBSESSION where I highlight my passions, especially Italian and Italian American food and culture.  It’s a privilege to be working on the Board of the Italian Enclaves Historical Society.”
~ Peter Battaglia
 
 
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.

 

Peter A. Subissati

Born and raised in Montreal, Peter is a third-generation Italian-Canadian and dual citizen of both countries, with roots in the Marche and Campania regions, he is a consummate lover of all things Italian. His family’s American story began in Albany, NY’s Mansion Hill Italian enclave, and later Springfield, MA’s Little Italy, where his paternal great-grandfather settled after arriving in the New World via Ellis Island in 1914. Peter’s academic background in political science and history and lifelong passion for advocacy has led him to a career in public relations and communications roles in the diplomatic, nonprofit and corporate worlds. His lifetime engagement on Italian and Jewish issues has also led him to serve on numerous associations, committees and boards, and to be published in major news outlets, including The New York Times, Jerusalem Post, Globe and Mail and National Post. An armchair historian and polyglot, Peter’s other passions include photography, traveling the world – through Italies big and little – and singing timeless standards from the great songbooks of Naples and America.