DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEES
COMMITTEES
The Development Committee is a body of the Foundation, established by the bylaws.
The Development Committee is composed of Scientific and Technical Committees operating to promote the interests of the Foundation in Italy and America.
Each Technical and Scientific Committee is chaired by a Board member and coordinated by a coordinator, who determines which projects to present each year to the Development Committee. The coordinator selects the committee members, who must be distinguished by excellence, professionalism, and ethical values.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Governance of Technical and Scientific Committees
PAOLO MANGIA
President
Paolo Mangia, a native of Puglia and an American citizen residing in Florida, is the President of the Foundation’s Development Committee, coordinating the Scientific and Technical Committees of ITALIC-US and serving on the Board of Directors.
He is an Italian-American entrepreneur, owner of MP Freight Logistics, part of the Movimento Associativo Italiani all’Estero (MAIE) for which he is the coordinator for Miami, and Coordinator of Casa Italia, a non-profit association based in Florida. For over 20 years, he has supported and promoted the interests of the Italian community in the United States.
CARLO REALI
Vice President
Carlo Reali, born in Rome and graduated in Economics and Commerce from La Sapienza University, has developed significant experience in the growth of start-ups in the trade and construction sectors, with expertise in administration, management control, budgeting, and forecasting.
Specialized in developing high-performance teams, he has held roles as Administrative Manager and CFO, structuring accounting systems and internal procedures, fostering cross-functional skills and decision-making autonomy. He has also contributed to companies listed on the NASDAQ.
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE – ART AND CULTURE
MICHELE CROCITTO
Coordinator
Michele Crocitto served for 5 years as an Officer in the Italian Army. Today, he is a brilliant entrepreneur and has been working for 20 years in the world of jewelry and art, promoting Italian artists by adding value and effectively utilizing his synergistic managerial skills, supporting, strengthening, and enhancing works and artistic ingenuity. By creating value in the art world in Italy and abroad, he represents the Art and Culture committee.
ANFISSA VASSÉ
Anfissa Vassé is an Italian painter, living and working in Rome. She studied with Antonio Passa, Moreno Bondi, and Prof. Giuseppe Menozzi, creating painting cycles dedicated to the theme of love and has participated in group and solo exhibitions at Palazzo Colonna and in Rome’s most important Italian galleries. She was selected by RCS Sport as the official painter of the Giro d’Italia 2025, creating a bodypainting version of the famous 2025 Pink Jersey.
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE – FOOD AND TRADITIONS
RENATO TRABALZA
Coordinator
Renato Trabalza, born in Rome in 1964, is one of the most important Italian Chefs associated with traditional Roman cuisine. A son of art and nephew of the famous Sora Lella, Actress and Cook of the Tiber Island in Rome. After 40 years as a multi-award-winning Chef at Rome’s most famous Trattoria, Sora Lella, he also learned the art of gelato, becoming a Master Gelato Maker. Most recently, he participated in the famous Sherbeth festival in 2024. In 2022, he also became the owner of the famous gelateria “Maritozzi e Gelato” in Piazza San Francesco in Bologna, which he manages with his partner Barbara Poggi. In 2025, he was recognized by the most important industry guide “I Tre Coni del Gambero Rosso“. His recipes are also available in the book “Annamo Bene; la cucina romana di Sora Lella“.
MASSIMO SANTUCCI
Massimo Santucci is an Italian excellence in the food and wine market. He was appointed Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2009 by President Giorgio Napolitano and Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
An Italian restaurateur and advocate of Made in Italy, he founded the Gastro Italia Association in 2005 to protect the Italian brand and Italian restaurateurs in Switzerland and worldwide.
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE – SPORT AND CULTURE
PAOLO VALERI
Coordinator
Paolo Valeri has been a professional referee since 1994 and, since January 1, 2011, an international referee available to FIFA. Throughout his career, he has officiated Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup, Europa League, and Champions League matches. He was selected by FIFA as a VAR for the World Championships in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. He has received numerous awards, including the “Athlete of the Year 2011” award presented at the Capitol and the Sportilla Award as the best referee of the 2013–2014 season, as well as the title of “Best Referee of the Year” Lega Serie A – Best Awards for the 2017–2018 season. From the 2024–2025 sports season, he holds the position of Vice Chairman of the Referee Department & VAR Manager of the Hellenic Football League.
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE – LUXURY AND DESIGN
DANIELE RAMPELLO
Coordinator
Daniele Rampello is an Italian entrepreneur who intertwines culture, creativity, and innovation with a unique vision aimed at enhancing Made in Italy. He has always transformed stories of Italian identity and tradition into valuable projects. He has signed productions for RAI Documentaries, the Salone del Mobile, and has had the artistic direction of projects for Expo 2025 Osaka. He was appointed Member of the Assembly of the General States of Italian Heritage and in 2025 became a member of the Comitato Leonardo, with the aim of promoting and affirming “Quality Italy” worldwide.
DAVIDE RAMPELLO
Davide Rampello is a leading figure in Italian culture. President of the Triennale di Milano from 2003 to 2012, he significantly contributed to the creation of the Triennale Design Museum. He was curator of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, Pavilion Zero at Expo 2015 Milan, and the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, as well as the San Marino Pavilion and the Altagamma installation in the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. Since 2013, he has hosted the television column Paesi, Paesaggi… Since 2016, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia and Lungarno Alberghi; he was also named among the 100 Ambassadors of Italian Design Worldwide (2017–2022).
Our Memberships
PRIVATE MEMBER
Each individual can become a member of the Foundation and thus engage in the initiatives of Italic-us in Italy and the USA.
BUSINESS MEMBER
Your company can become a member of the Foundation, enjoying the privileges of Italic-us, contributing to its identity in Italy and the USA.
INSTITUTIONAL MEMBER
The Italian or American Institution can become a member of the Foundation, contributing with its presence in Italy and the USA.
SPONSOR
You can become a Sponsor of the Foundation to more effectively promote your identity within our projects in Italy and the USA.
The Private Member who intends to participate in the associative life of the Foundation can participate in projects, events – both live and online – be enrolled in programs dedicated to members, learn about career opportunities offered by business members, participate in scholarship programs, and contribute to the major works of ITALIC-US.
If the member is an American citizen, they can deduct the donation from taxes as provided for donations to Non-Profit Organization 501(c)3.
The Business Member who intends to participate in the associative life of the Foundation can be part of projects, events, contribute with career positions dedicated to private members, contribute to initiatives to maximize their presence in Italy and America, and have a dedicated space on our website.
If the member is an American company, they can deduct the donation from taxes as provided for donations to Non-Profit Organization 501(c)3.
The Sponsor wishing to participate in the associative life of the Foundation can participate, with a related communication program, in projects and events dedicated to our members, in Italy and America, will actively attend the events, and will contribute to the great works of ITALIC-US.
If the sponsor is an American citizen or company, they can deduct the sponsorship from taxes as provided for donations in favor of Non-Profit Organization 501(c)3.