Italian Excellence,
Experienced in Atlanta
Experienced in Atlanta
The Made in Italy Expo brings Italy’s leading industries, ideas, and craftsmanship to the American South.
The Made in Italy Expo is a platform for connection—between Italy and the Southeastern United States, between business and culture, between tradition and innovation.
For 10 days this September, Atlanta will host a landmark event showcasing Italian craftsmanship, design, food, and technology.
The Expo is produced by the Italia America Reputation Lab in strategic partnership with Renaissance Evolution. Together, we’re building new opportunities for Italian industries, cultural leaders, and global partners.
Where Italy Meets the Southeast
Meet the Team
The Expo is guided by a team of leaders with expertise across diplomacy, cultural programming, trade, and strategic partnerships. Their shared goal: to strengthen Italy’s presence in the Southeastern United States and create space for meaningful collaboration.
Program Director
Nicola Vidali
Seasoned marketing and communications expert with 35+ years of experience. Managed 500+ international projects for prestigious clients operating both in the public and private sectors. Atlanta-based since 1993, Nicola has developed programs and communication campaigns across diverse industries and cultural contexts. His portfolio includes work for the United Nations, Nike, Lufthansa, The Weather Channel, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and the Italian Trade Agency. Most recently, Nicola held the position of Managing Director for the Italy America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, Georgia Chapter where he boosted the presence and impact of the Italian business community in Atlanta and in the State of Georgia.
EXECUTIVE AMBASSADOR
Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra is one of the country’s most renowned fashion show producers with over 30 years of experience leading high-profile runway shows and brand activation for luxury fashion houses and upscale to moderate retail stores. Cassandra has been on the frontline and a lead in the foreground for many prestigious design houses such as: Hubert De Givenchy, Jacqueline De Ribes, Caroline Roehm, Oscar de la Renta, Isaac Mizarahi, Vera Wang, Donna Karan and Eric Javitz. Adept at turning visionary ideas into unforgettable live experiences is her driving force.
Executive Ambassador
Pierluca Maffey
Pierluca is an accomplished architect with over 20 years of international experience, delivering creative and pragmatic design solutions across a broad spectrum of projects—from iconic skyscrapers to single-family residences. His work spans multiple sectors, including hospitality, office, retail, exhibition, and residential, with projects completed across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and both North and South America. Known for his ability to clearly articulate and present compelling design visions, he consistently bridges creativity with functionality to bring complex projects to life for John Portmann & Associates, Gensler, Carrier Johnson +Culture and currently for COVE architecture.
Executive Ambassador
Fortunato Celi Zullo
Fortunato has more than 40 years of experience in international economics and global trade development. During his career with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), he directed offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, developing extensive expertise in international markets, Made in Italy sectors, foreign investment attraction, new technologies, startups, and export finance. In Los Angeles, he also served as Italian Film Commissioner and worked on Olympic-related initiatives for Atlanta, Sydney, Vancouver, and London, managing high-level institutional relations with Italian ministries, and major manufacturing and trade associations.
Executive Ambassador
Joe Dolgetta
Joe Dolgetta is an accomplished aviation professional and Aviation Safety Inspector with extensive leadership experience in airline operations, aviation safety oversight, Safety Management Systems (SMS), and FAA modernization initiatives. Before joining the FAA, he served as Atlanta Station Manager for Trans World Airlines, overseeing airport operations, charter services, staffing, and coordination at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Within the FAA. As Office Manager for the SASO Program Office, he led major safety initiatives and earned the FAA Flight Standards 2011 Visionary Award. Joe is also the President of the Peachtree Lodge for the Order of Sons and Daughter of Italy in America.
Executive Ambassador
Luigi Debellis
is a dynamic and innovative entrepreneur. Former WNBA coach in Italy for 2 decades, he then built a commercial network spanning the USA, Slovenia, and Italy, specializing in the acquisition, sales, and distribution of orthodontic products. With a strategic and forward-looking mindset, Luigi has identified new market opportunities, forged strong partnerships, and consolidated his international presence. His experience encompasses all stages of the commercial cycle: from product selection and procurement to sales management, warehouse organization, and logistics—always with the goal of ensuring efficiency and quality for the end customer.
Brand Reputation Director
Davide Ippolito
Davide Ippolito is a reputation expert, publisher, director, and producer for Amazon Prime Video and il Newyorkese media network. He is the founder of Business+ video streaming platform and serves as the Scientific Director of the Italian American Reputation Lab. Ippolito provides strategic consulting to prominent organizations such as NIAF (National Italian American Foundation), Confindustria, and Federmanager. He is also a frequent commentator and contributor for the Italian television network La7 and Rete 4, where he shares insights on reputation, media, and cultural identity.
Ecosystems & Start Up Director
Enrico Cimador
Enrico Cimador supports startups and scale-ups on go-to-market strategy, partnerships, and scaling operations in the United States, working across companies from early-stage ventures to established growth organizations. As Partner at DeepX Ventures, he also engaged with innovative companies searching for international expansion and U.S. market growth. Enrico has also served as mentor in Italian government-backed acceleration programs in San Francisco and New York City, supporting founders navigating international growth and innovation ecosystems. Enrico worked for over a decade as Principal at Siemens Advanta USA, where he advised C-suite executives on strategy and innovation initiatives while leading consulting teams and portfolio development activities.
Fashion Director
Sara Barj
Sara Barj is a creative director based in Atlanta with more than 10 years of experience in the fashion industry, specializing in luxury engagements and visual storytelling. Born and raised in Rome, Sara studied Fashion & Costume before earning a Master’s degree in Luxury Accessories Design. After receiving a scholarship sponsored by Capri Holdings, she expanded her experience between Italy and the United States, combining contemporary fashion culture with traditional design approaches. Her goal is to bring the elegance of Italian creativity, fashion culture, and artistic knowledge to Atlanta through curated experiences and creative collaborations.
Brand Partnerships & Strategic Development Director
Mattia Panico
MMattia is a senior professional with extensive experience in strategic partnerships, international brand development, and innovation across corporate and tech environments. At Booking Holdings, he led the Italian market for Rentalcars.com, driving key growth initiatives across the group. He later joined Poste Italiane, where he managed groundbreaking projects in AI and cybersecurity, supporting the company’s digital transformation. Today, as Managing Director of il Newyorkese and Partner at Reputation Research, he fosters high-level alliances between Italian brands and the U.S. market, combining visibility with long-term strategic value.
Visual Design Director
Valentina Vidali
Summa cum laude degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta, Valentina is an accomplished multimedia artist with a deep passion for visual expression and storytelling. A rising figure and influential voice in the Atlanta art scene, her work has been featured in several galleries and cultural events. In 2024, she was showcased in the Films Not Dead exhibition at APG Gallery and contributed to major creative projects including the independent film Final Broadcast and several brand design program and multimedia immersive experience delivered in the USA and Italy at the Vatican City.
Visual Design Director
Saba Saadatar
Saba Saadatdar, 2025 graduate cum laude at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Graphic Design and Motion Media Design, Saba brings a versatile skill set to the world of visual communication. Her creative capabilities capture brand identity, engaging social media content, impactful poster design, user-friendly and visually rich websites, short films with storytelling depth, and vibrant illustrations that reflect both imagination and technicality.
PR and Social Media Advisor
Veronica Young
Veronica is a Princeton-educated branding, hospitality, and lifestyle professional whose work has always lived at the intersection of culture, experience, and connection. Her background spans luxury hospitality, events, fashion, entertainment, athletics, and international business, giving her a broad but practical understanding of how brands, people, and markets come together. Now based in Atlanta, Veronica is focused on social media strategy, event development, business outreach, and brand growth, with an increasing interest in how technology can create smarter, more dynamic ways to tell stories and build communities.
Strategic Advisor
Maria Lioce
A longtime Atlanta resident and a respected pillar of the Italian-American community, Maria Lioce brings a unique blend of scientific expertise, cultural insight, and creative energy. A seasoned executive at the Centers for Disease Control, Maria seamlessly bridges analytical thinking with aesthetic sensibility. Her leadership reflects the Expo’s spirit: intellectually driven, emotionally resonant, and rooted in Italian excellence. Her leadership reflects the Expo’s spirit: intellectually driven, emotionally resonant, and rooted in Italian excellence. Maria’s voice is already proving essential in guiding our vision forward.
Social Media ADVISOR
Elizabeth Williams
Elizabeth Williams is a brand strategist with experience working both in-house and with agencies across the U.S. and Italy. Her expertise includes brand development, storytelling, and digital engagement, with a focus on the luxury and tech sectors. She has worked with clients such as Rocco Forte Hotels, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, The St. Regis Venice, Ristorante Local Venezia, and the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, as well as NCR Voyix, Aderant, and Namely HR. Combining creative instinct with an analytical eye, Elizabeth is known for crafting identities that connect, differentiate, and endure across cultures and platforms.
