I am a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (C’19) where I pursued a major in Health and Societies, minors in Healthcare Management and Neuroscience, and supplementary coursework through Wharton. Currently, I work as an Associate Consultant at Putnam Associates, a strategy consulting firm serving global biopharmaceutical clients, where I have to date worked on engagements supporting cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, along with the global commercialization of several new vaccines. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking Italian cuisine, playing the drums, and drawing portraits.

As I reflect on my time at Penn, I consider how the support I received from the Columbus Citizens Foundation enabled me to avail myself of so many of the opportunities I was provided. At Penn, I was fortunate enough to be involved in several pre-professional and community initiatives. On the pre-professional side, I served as a Project Leader on the Social Impact Consulting Group, a pro bono student-run consultancy. On the community side, I served in several leadership roles and advisory capacities at the Netter Center, Penn’s hub for civic engagement in West Philadelphia. I also was active as a senior staffer for Model United Nations and wrote for Wharton’s student policy blog. CCF’s backing gave me the freedom to explore my passions at Penn, and I am so grateful to have had the chance to do so.

CCF was also instrumental in placing me for an internship after my junior year. I spent that summer working with the Support Center for Nonprofit Management, a nonprofit serving peer nonprofits with consulting, placement, and business development services. I spent the summer conducting a market analysis to advise a large community center in Queens on the launch of an after-school program; in short, CCF found the perfect opportunity for me to combine my interests in consulting and civic engagement.

Underpinning my work is a sense of integrity and ethic, which I credit to my Italian heritage, and more specifically to my grandfather, who was (and is) my biggest role model. My grandfather lived the true American Dream: he emigrated from Sicily after the Second World War, withstood discrimination in the States despite having a university education, and rose from humble beginnings working in a laundromat to become the owner of several businesses and a respected leader in his Brooklyn community. In addition to instilling in me an understanding of Italianità, and a love for all things Italian and Sicilian, my grandfather’s struggle and success paved the path for me to pursue my passions. During late nights at school or work, or in times of uncertainty or adversity, the thought my grandfather’s resolve inspires me to soldier on.

My appreciation for the Columbus Citizens Foundation is partly due to how intimately they understand stories like mine and my grandfather’s; it is incredibly encouraging that they continue to support Italian diaspora like myself and seek to promote our rich culture and history. I continue to stay involved with the Foundation through the Young Adults Auxiliary and I look forward to many more years of engagement and community!