One half Southern Californian and one half Northern Italian, I grew up in Los Angeles and spent much of my childhood in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The daughter of restaurant owners - entrepreneurs, I learned by example the skills of successful business management, customer service and self-motivation. A life-long writer and artist who won awards for both beginning at age seven, I was faced with the decision to follow words or images into university. I chose words.
After studying Philosophy at The University of California, Santa Barbara, I moved to the San Francisco Bay area where I began the process of founding a non-profit organization devoted to the human rights of indigenous peoples. Having worked my way through the 501(c)(3) application without assistance, I chose to move yet again, this time to Washington, D.C., where I successfully lobbied Congress to suspend U.S. funding for the Indonesian Military in the run-up to the East Timorese Referendum on Independence.
Having run my non-profit charitable organization for over three years, in 1999 I began my career as a freelance writer/editor and communications consultant, specializing in communications and public relations for charities, experts and entrepreneurs. In this capacity, I have appeared on national television, made speeches to audiences ranging from 50-500, directly lobbied Congress, and attended high-profile events on behalf of my clients. My abilities are not limited to the keyboard, which sets me apart from other communications consultants.
Over years of serving clients in the non-profit sector, I've established myself as a go-to expert on women's issues, the economic equality and empowerment of women, and the global epidemic of domestic violence.
In 2005, I relocated to New York City, primarily to indulge my life-long passion for food, but also to continue to feed my appetite for new experiences, people and places. Since coming to Manhattan, I've expanded my repertoire to include food writing, covering industry events, developing recipes for the home cook, interviewing chefs, and reviewing restaurants. An expert in all things culinary, my client base has since grown to include chefs and restaurants.
Fluent in Italian and French, I have traveled to over thirty countries, expanding my understanding of different cultures, peoples, and world-views, and mastering the art of borderless communications.
When I'm not brainstorming, pounding my keyboard or collaborating with clients, I devote my time to volunteer work, culinary adventures, travel, sailing, reading, entertaining my cat and writing my two blogs, Culinary Sagacity and Political Sagacity.
Educational Accomplishments
University of California at Santa Barbara: Philosophy | Ethics & Public Policy
- Harry K. Girvetz Memorial Award for Excellence in Philosophy
- Phi Sigma Tau National Honors Society
- Departmental Honors
- College of Letters & Science Honors
- Dean's List
- Prix d’Excellence du Mérite en Français
Academic Peer Advisor
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Grader and Researcher
Peer Writing Coach
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Philosophy Department Newsletter
Contributing writer, HONORS, the newsletter for UCSB Honors Students
