A new initiative to train the next generation of Italian American journalists was announced in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2026, during the National Italian American Foundation’s 51st Anniversary Gala at the Washington Hilton.
Alberto Leonardis, chairman and CEO of Gruppo SAE, unveiled plans for a journalism training school developed in partnership with NIAF. The program will introduce young Italian Americans to contemporary journalism and potentially prepare some participants for future positions at La Stampa USA, the group's newly launched English-language digital publication.
The announcement represents another step in a broader collaboration designed to strengthen cultural, economic, and professional connections between Italy and the United States.
Leonardis also outlined plans for three major annual events bringing together representatives of the Italian and Italian American communities.
The partnership includes an economic component. An agreement between Gruppo SAE and SACE, Italy's export credit agency, is expected to support investment opportunities for Italian American entrepreneurs interested in Italy.
La Stampa USA operates through two newsrooms, in Turin and New York, with Valeria Robecco serving as New York bureau chief. Editorial director Maurizio Molinari described the publication as a platform connecting Italian developments with American audiences while giving Italian Americans opportunities to share their experiences.
Supported by Intesa Sanpaolo and Bonifiche Ferraresi, the publication offers free online content and an English-language newsletter.
NIAF President David Allegrini emphasized the importance of English-language journalism for approximately 20 million Italian Americans, particularly younger generations who maintain connections to their ancestral homeland despite not speaking Italian.
