The Italian Community of St Louis is an umbrella organization which functions as the primary reference for all things Italian in St Louis. Our mission is to connect Italians in St Louis and promote contemporary Italy.

Cav. Franco Giannotti, Founder and President Emeritus of Club Italiano Per Piacere

Tiziana Orsini, Director of Italian Language Tutoring Program

Concetta Lo Iacono Gabriele, Vice-Director, St Louis Italian Language Progam

Giovanna Leopardi, Director of the St Louis Italian Language Program

Giorgio Bucci, President of the Italian Business Association of St Louis

Alessandro Valentino, Director of Events

Scott Hoff, President of Club Italiano Per Piacere with his wife Katie

Michael Cross, President of St Louis - Bologna Sister Cities

Elizabeth Bernhardt, PhD, Vice-President of St Louis - Bologna Sister Cities

Iva Youkilis, Professor of Italian at Washington University Italian Department

Barbara Klein, President of Italian Film Festival

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Administrative Council - Consiglio di Amministrazione

 Giovanna Leopardi  (Treasurer)
Alessandro Valentino
Tiziana Orsini
Michael Cross
Elizabeth Bernhardt
Maria Clea Annecchiarico
Scott Hoff
​ Adriana Hermida

Contact the Administrative Council
(314) 566-3873
​[email protected]

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​Organizations which form the Italian Community of St Louis
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​St Louis Italian Language Program
Club Italiano Per Piacere
St Louis - Bologna Sister Cities
Italian Business Association of St Louis
Young Italian Professionals in St Louis
Italian Film Festival of St Louis
St Louis Italian Language Meetup Group
Italian Citizenship Assistance (ICA)
Washington University Italian Program
Saint Louis Community College Italian Program
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Italian Program

Club Italiano Per Piacere
 (the only exclusively Italian speaking club in the U.S. Midwest)
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Scott M. Hoff - President 
Giovanna Leopardi - Secretary
Fabio Giannotti - Treasurer 
Roberto Lanzara - Consigliere 
Michael Cross - Consigliere
Elizabeth Bernhardt, PhD - Consigliere
Iva Youkilis - Consigliere
Cav. Franco Giannotti - President Emeritus and Founder 


St Louis - Bologna Sister Cities Organization
(The Sister Cities falls under the jurisdiction of the World Trade Center - St Louis)
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Michael Cross - President
Elizabeth Bernhardt, PhD - Vice-President
Giovanna Leopardi - Secretary
Kristine Galati - Treasurer
Members of the Board: Benedetta Orsi Aquino, Franco Giannotti, Silvia Sassu
Honorary Members of the Board: Tishaura Jones, Matteo Lepore, Sam Page, Joseph Colagiovanni


St Louis Italian Language Program

Giovanna Leopardi - Director
Concetta Lo Iacono Gabriele - Vice-Director
Members of the Board: Donatella Tecchio Lanzara, Federica Bertolini, Michael Cross ​

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​Representatives for Italians Living Abroad

Hon. Thomas Botzios - Consul General of Italy in Chicago
Hon. Joseph Colagiovanni - Honorary Vice-Consul of Italy in St Louis
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For all visa and passport related questions and concerns, please consult the Vice Consulate of Italy in St Louis or the Consulate of Italy in Chicago.  For further information, email: italcons.chicago@esteri.it. ​

To request a meeting with the Vice-Consul of Italy in St Louis, Joseph Colagiovanni, call 314-705-2413 or email [email protected]

Hon. Thomas Botzios, Consul General of Italy in Chicago

Hon. Joseph Colagiovanni, Honorary Vice Consul in St Louis

Meet the Founder

Michael J Cross

Born in St Louis, Michael was raised in an Italian speaking household. With an Italian-born mother from Trieste and frequent trips to Italy to visit family and friends, he fell in love with the Italian language and culture. During his university years, Michael lived in Europe, obtaining an MA in International Relations and European Studies while spending his summers in Italy. After returning to St Louis, he was inspired to provide a home away from home for Italians living in the St Louis area. In October 2017 along with several other Italian expats, the Italian Community of St Louis was born with a mission to connect Italians in St Louis and introduce them to the Gateway to the West, while also introducing St Louisans to Italians and contemporary Italy.  

Read Michael's Interview with "We the Italians"