Our Staff / Team

Born and raised in Florence, Asia received her degree in foreign languages, studying English and Finnish.

During high school, Asia was lucky enough to study abroad for a year and lived with a family in Hungary living the exchange student experience firsthand. In university, she participated in summer programs in Finland where she interacted with students from all over the world.

Before working at ISI, Asia had many odd jobs, from working in cinemas to babysitting.

During spring and summer, she spends her weekends in nature in Mugello or gallivants around Europe.

She is fond of sci-fi and fantasy novels as well as movies, so swing by to ask her about her favorites! If you’re in the mood for a book or a movie, she’ll tell you all about the English language bookshops in Florence as well as any English language movies showing that week.

If you really have time to kill, ask her about her D&D campaign, but be advised that she might hold you hostage for hours.

Gianna is the Enrollment Management & Institutional Relations Advisor in the ISI Abroad US Office. She is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with degrees in Global & International Studies and Spanish. She is native to the Philadelphia area and loves dogs, Penn State football and food festivals!

Born in the Oltrarno area of Florence, Lavinia is very tied to her roots and knows lots of hidden gems of her city, but at the same time, since her family comes from both Northern and Southern Europe, has always loved living and working in a multicultural environment.

Lavinia graduated in Foreign Languages and Literature at Università di Firenze and, as a former teacher of Italian Language to students from all over the world for more than a decade, she has a lot of experience in helping people understand Italian language and culture – far from stereotypes.

A major change in her life and career led her to ISI Florence, where she brings her experience with students and teachers along with her communicative and organizational skills.

She loves reading poetry, writing and walking through Florence – she enjoys her early morning walks to Palazzo Rucellai, passing by Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita, and she even stops to take photos – it is a real privilege to see these world-famous spots still empty and quiet, every morning.

Zachary Nowak brings over 18 years of experience in international education, commencing his journey in 2005. His diverse roles included positions in Student Services, US University Relations, and the Directorship of The Umbra Institute in Perugia. In 2018, Zachary successfully earned his PhD from Harvard University, a pivotal achievement paving the way for his subsequent research focus: the evaluation of study abroad programs. His passion lies in enhancing educational practices via evidence-driven pedagogical approaches, notably emphasizing active learning within the classroom and immersive community-engaged learning experiences beyond its confines.

Ashley began with ISI Abroad as a marketing intern and then as Registrar for the Umbra Institute. Since 2017, she has worked with ISI Abroad’s US Office, supervising the team’s admissions, advising, partner relations, and marketing efforts.

Raised in small-town Michigan, Ashley got her first passport during her university years and spent one semester studying in Córdoba, Argentina, and an academic year in Perugia, Italy. She learned Spanish and Italian through her studies, developing a deep passion for exploring new cultures and languages, as well as for sharing these with others.

Aside from her travels and studies, Ashley spends her free time with family, exploring new music, reading (especially related to political science and science fiction), and baking.

Ilaria was born and raised in Florence, where she got a degree in Foreign Languages and Literature and a masters degree in Linguistics. She herself experienced a summer program abroad in Finland during her university studies. Like every Florentine, she is absolutely convinced that Florence is the most beautiful city in the world, but this doesn’t keep her from her love of traveling.

“Traveling helps you learn a lot. It opens your mind, because you get in contact with new cultures and people. You get to know new sides of your personality that you could not even imagine and sometimes you face challenges that make you stronger. I also believe that trying to speak a little of the local language is a plus when you travel. When possible, I try to do this because it helps you immerse yourself in the new culture and makes locals very happy. So, during your study abroad program in Florence, try to parlare italiano!”

Ilaria’s favorite sports are gymnastics (she practiced it herself and taught to little girls for many years) and skiing. Every winter she tries to find some days to go skiing in the fabulous Dolomiti in northern Italy. She also loves cooking – especially desserts, pies and biscuits – and organizing dinners with friends who are her “testers”.

“I discovered I was a pretty good cook some years ago and when I have time I like to try new recipes. Whether I’m abroad or just a few kilometers from home in the next region, I always try the local specialties. So if you need advice about food or have questions about traditional Tuscan dishes, I will be more than happy to help you!”

As a teenager, I was lucky enough to have loving and courageous parents. They gave me a nest and they gave me wings as well, as the saying goes. At sixteen they asked me if I wanted to spend a year in the USA as a student on a program called “Experiment in international living.” A few months later I landed in Florida, where I lived with a local host family near Daytona Beach for my whole junior year in a local high school. It was 1985-86 (the same year MTV was launched) and I had the time of my life.

I thus started thinking that serving as some kind of liaison between the USA and Italy would be a fascinating, rewarding job. I only had to focus on a specific niche, as it were. Since I was not good enough in sports and an acting career was out the picture, I opted for academia. After all, I was studying Latin and Greek, so why not turn a torment into an asset? Being quite repetitive, I ended up getting two MA’s (one from “Università di Firenze,” the other from Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.) and two Ph.D’s (one from Yale, the other, again, from “Università di Firenze”) before becoming the director of The International Studies Institute (aka ISI Florence).

I have been in international education as a teacher and an administrator for some twenty-five years now. Working with students and scholars is a privilege. It’s more than a job; it’s a mission. It takes love, passion, hard work, and originality. In this field, one can help and learn a lot on a daily basis. That’s why, finishing this short bio, the following words from one of my favorite songs spring to mind: “I wish you were here.”

Caterina has spent her whole career working with American universities and has been with ISI Florence since 2004. Discovering the world of academics and students, Caterina realized that she wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.

Her frequent visits to American campuses to promote international education has given her keen insight into the cultural bridges that students must cross to make their adventure abroad a valuable one. While Italy’s universities don’t have the same campus structure as US schools do, she considers Florence a comparable campus-like size and lifestyle and encourages students to live the whole city experience.

Besides an extensive traveler and reader, Caterina can also be seen galloping on horseback, whizzing by on skates, or volunteering with the Red Cross.

Her mixed Italian, British, and Australian background led her to meet people from all over the world, finding that cultural differences are not barriers but rather a resource.

“Observe people, learn from others, you might discover something about yourself”

Holding a BA from Università di Firenze in Linguistics and Communication, she has studied visual communication at Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London). She lived in London for four years, earning a living as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language. She recalls her multinational students:

“A common goal brings people together, no matter what personality you have or what country you’re from.”

At ISI Florence since 2012: “The challenge is helping students break those barriers that keep them from considering Florence as their home. Rewarding moments are when I see sparkling eyes and the excitement that comes from those students who have truly experienced studying abroad and feel it under their skin”.