MARIO LEONTI is currently serving his second year as President of the Chamber of Commerce. Since the early 80's, Mario has specialised in the ICT industry as a software developer/programmer working with organisations such as Massey University. Mario brings to the Chamber experience and networks which have been instrumental to the Chamber's growth and success.

ANTONIO CACACE, born in Sorrento, migrated to New Zealand in 1991. Antonio has an extensive background in the F&B industry and in 2002 founded the very successful La Bella Italia cafe/delicatessan. Antonio also has been actively involved in promoting Italian food and culture.

LIZ MAXWELL is the principal of ESP Ventures Limited. Founded in 1998, ESP Ventures project manages business events from international trade fairs, marketing and PR, to corporate meetings and incentive and loyalty programmes. Liz is highly respected in her field and has established strong networks nationally and internationally within her industry.

 

SONJA CABRERA returned to New Zealand after a 17 year absence in 2006. Nine of those years Sonja lived in Milan, Italy and worked for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise as a Trade & Marketing Consultant, working with New Zealand exporters to introduce their products and services to the EU. Sonja brings to the Chamber a wealth of experience and understanding on working between the two diverse cultures.

JOHN DENNETT is the CEO of ALLO Moda Ltd which retails designer apparel and accessories in Wellington under the ALLO brand and is the importer/wholesaler of designer apparel and accessories under the IBIZI New Zealand brand . John is also the Founder and Principal of Venture Law a commercial law firm specialising in acting for entrepreneurs and investors.

Owen has been in the Freight Forwarding industry for over 30 years, particularly with DHL Global Forwarding in Auckland and Wellington. Within this time, Owen spent eight years as the Italian Trade Lane Manager and has had a long history involved in the Italian/New Zealand business sector. Owen has also spent a number of years as Company Representative on the Italian Chamber Executive in Auckland. Now based in Wellington, Owen has resumed his involvement with the Chamber as a Councillor for the second year running and continues to be motivated by the numerous trade opportunities and the strong relationships between both countries.

ANNETTE SCULLION is a communications/pr consultant and photographer. Her Wellington-based company, Indecom, specialises in strategic communications, public relations, visual media and event management. With more than 20 years communications practice, Annette has extensive industry knowledge and New Zealand and international networks. Her industry sector experience includes energy, infrastructure, education, agribusiness, organics, wine, trade promotion, sports, and the arts – notably film, design and other creative industries. Annette's links to Italy are through studying photography, communication and Italian language in Florence and Siena, as well as travel in Italy. Annette brings to ICCNZ her expertise in strategic development, brand, profiling, project management, and communications counsel, to assist in developing connections and business opportunities between New Zealand and Italy. Annette's personal interests include singing, opera, sports (NZ Masters rower), design, film and photography.

MICHAEL STEPHENS is a leading NZ Film & Entertainment Lawyer, and has been closely involved in the development of NZ Film Production and Digital Post Production Sector. Michael is the founding partner of Stephens Lawyers and has a great professional interest in the future of East/West coproductions and funding for film and other digital content projects. Michael’s current interests include acting as the Chairman of the NZ Asia Pacific Film Fund, and a Senior Adviser – Screen & Digital Technologies for Grow Wellington, an Honorary Adviser for the Suzhou National Animation Industry Base China and for the NZ/China Film Festivals. Michael is also the Chairman of the Korean Cinerama Trust NZ and an Honorary Adviser to the 2008 Seoul International Family Film Festival.

 

HE Dr. GIOACCHINO CARLO TRIZZINO, Italian ambassador to New Zealand, was born in Bivona, Sicily. He has attended many prestigious universities including the Hague Academy of International Law, Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (Bologna) and the Institute for International Political Studies (Milan). During his distinguished career he has been Consul in Grenoble, France, Deputy Head of Mission in Peru, Cuba, Libya, Syria, Tokyo, Ambassador to Costa Rica and Belize and Deputy Director General for Italian Abroad and Migration Policies at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Rome).