Governance

Leadership Rooted in Purpose and Integrity

Guided by Experience, Driven by Purpose

The Italia America Reputation Lab (IARL) strengthens Italy’s cultural and economic recognition in the U.S. by fostering strategic connections and promoting national excellence across key sectors. Its governance is guided by transparency, accountability, and results-driven leadership. Through its leadership, the Board ensures that IARL remains a trusted and influential reference point in transatlantic relations, fostering meaningful collaborations and amplifying Italy’s global reputation.

Our Executive Leadership

President & CEO

Davide Ippolito

Role: Foundation leader, responsible for strategic vision, institutional relations, and the organization’s growth.
About him: A business and positioning strategy expert with a strong background in communication and networking. His ability to build connections and lead projects makes him the central figure of the foundation.

Secretary & COO

Mattia Panico

Role: Responsible for the foundation’s daily operations, overseeing project implementation and communication.
About him: An expert in strategic partnerships and entrepreneurial development, with experience in managing international projects and positioning strategies. He coordinates the foundation’s activities and cultivates relationships to expand opportunities and strengthen its role.

Entrepreneur & Finance Professional

Todd Burr

Role: Strategic leadership across finance, operations, and business development, with a focus on growth and cross-industry innovation.
About him: Todd combines entrepreneurial drive with financial expertise, having held key roles at Welltree Healthcare, Voga Gelato, and Revolution Donuts, where he led initiatives to improve efficiency and drive business growth.

Board member

Umberto Mucci

About him: he has a Master’s degree in Marketing and Communication. He is the founder and CEO of We the Italians, the online platform with the highest amount of content between Italy and the United States.

Board member

Antonella Lattanzio

About her: Luxury and Fashion professional with several years of industry experience. Originally from Puglia, she has spent much of her career between Rome and Florence, working for BVLGARI – LVMH Group. She is currently based in New York, where she serves as Leather Goods & Accessories Manager for BVLGARI’s North America division, overseeing and driving the growth of the LG&A categories across the U.S. and Canada.

Board member

Bradley Schwartz

About him: he is Senior Manager of Corporate Development at Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), parent company of Booking.com, Priceline, and OpenTable. Based in New York, he leads enterprise strategy, AI innovation, and strategic partnerships — with recent projects involving OpenAI, Amazon, and Microsoft. He has 10+ years of experience in business development, known for connecting commercial strategy with product innovation. Passionate about Italian culture, Bradley has spent the last 15 years studying the language and traditions, and spends every summer in Sicily.

Advisory Council

Expertise That Guides Our Mission

The Advisory Council supports IARL with strategic guidance on cultural, economic, and reputational issues. Composed of leading voices from academia, business, and the arts, it helps shape impactful programs that elevate Italy’s international standing. Members are selected for their commitment to Italy’s legacy and their ability to foster high-level partnerships that strengthen transatlantic ties.

Transparency and Accountability

Governance
You Can Trust

We adhere to the highest standards of transparency and accountability in all aspects of our operations.
Regular audits, annual reports, and open communication with stakeholders demonstrate our commitment to ethical governance.
We actively encourage feedback from our members, donors, and the broader community to continually improve our impact.

See How Our Governance Translates Into Impact