The National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW), announced today that the organization’s annual reception honoring Three Wise Women will be held on March 4, 2026, from 7 to 9 PM, at Becco in New York City, according to a statement released by NOIAW’s National Chair, Pat Tinto.
Each year, NOIAW, the only national organization dedicated to empowering, connecting and inspiring women of Italian American descent, celebrates “Three Wise Women” by recognizing their accomplishments and the role their heritage has played in their achievements.
This year’s recipients of the award in the Greater New York Region are: Lisa Ackerman, Senior Advisor to the CEO at Woodlawn Conservancy; Alyssa Cannizzaro, Attorney Associate at Cohen Clair Lans Greifer & Simpson LLP; Palmina M. Fava, TMICC Chief Integrity Officer & Head of Litigation Ben & Jerry’s General Counsel.
The Greater New York Region of the National Organization of Italian American Women is proud to honor these Three Wise Women of distinction andprominence in their respective fields. Their success is an inspiration to all Italian American women, and they serve as role models to our young women, a commitment our organization cherishes” said Pat Tinto, NOIAW Chair, and former NOIAW President and Connecticut region leader. “Every day they are making a difference and enriching the lives of others through their shared heritage.”
Tickets for the reception are on sale now through www.NOIAW.org at this link: https://givebutter.com/MBicrp. For sponsorship information, email [email protected] or call the NOIAW office at 212-642-2003/7
Proceeds from the Three Wise Women Celebration help to support NOIAW cultural programs and services, such as the Scholarship Program which provides financial assistance to students to help them realize their dreams and the Mentorship Program which pairs young Italian American women with established professionals in their field.
Honorees’ biographies appear below.
Lisa Ackerman, Senior Advisor to the CEO at Woodlawn Conservancy
Lisa Ackerman currently serves as Senior Advisor to the CEO of Woodlawn Cemetery, one of the most historically and culturally significant cemeteries in the United States. Founded in 1863, and the final resting place of more than 350,000 individuals, Woodlawn’s grounds are a tribute to all those who have contributed to the betterment of NYC and the United States.
Prior to her current role, she served as Executive Director of Columbus Citizens Foundation, Interim CEO of World Monuments Fund, and Executive Vice President of the Kress Foundation. In all these roles, Ms. Ackerman was dedicated creating programs to share knowledge and appreciation of the art, architecture, and cultural treasures that enrich our lives. Ms. Ackerman holds an academic appointment at Pratt Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment.
She holds an MS in Historic Preservation from Pratt Institute, an MBA from New York University, and a BA in Italian and Art History from Middlebury College. In 2007, she was honored as a Landmark Lion by Historic Districts Council and in 2009 she was the inaugural recipient of the Ann Webster Smith Award for International Heritage Achievement from US. ICOMOS. She serves on the boards of Historic House Trust of New York City, New York Preservation Archive Project, the American Society for Overseas Research, and the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium. In additional to her professional passions, she is proud of her Italian heritage, speaks Italian fluently, and never tires of learning more about Italy.
Alyssa Cannizzaro, Attorney Associate at Cohen Clair Lans Greifer & Simpson LLP
Alyssa Cannizzaro is an associate at Cohen Clair Lans Greifer & Simpson LLP, where she advises high-net-worth clients on complex family law matters. Her practice includes drafting and negotiating prenuptial, postnuptial and divorce settlement agreements, as well as counseling clients on negotiation strategy and high-stakes dispute resolution. In addition, Alyssa serves as the associate lead on her firm’s AI committee, where she has helped develop firm-wide policies, pilot programs, and attorney training on the responsible and effective use of AI in legal practice.
Alyssa was recognized as “One to Watch” by Best Lawyers® in 2025 and 2026. Previously, Alyssa practiced commercial real estate finance law at Morrison & Foerster LLP, representing financial institutions in multimillion-dollar transactions nationwide.
Alyssa received her B.A. magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University and her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. During law school, Alyssa served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Colleen McMahon of the United States District Court, Southern District of New York. She was also a senior editor of the Journal of Law & Public Affairs and received a certificate in business management from The Wharton School.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Alyssa worked in political advocacy at the National Organization for Women (NOW), where she organized strategic campaigns, large-scale protests and press conferences during the 2016 election cycle and #MeToo movement, which received coverage in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
Alyssa serves as Co-Chair of the Reproductive Rights Committee of the New York Women’s Bar Association and is a member of the LGBTQ+ Committee of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. Alyssa first became involved with NOIAW as an undergraduate student when she was selected as a participant for the Cultural Exchange Program, which hosts Italian American women in Rome for immersive professional and educational experiences.
Palmina M. Fava, TMICC Chief Integrity Officer & Head of Litigation Ben & Jerry’s General Counsel
Palmina Mignone Fava is the daughter and granddaughter of Italian immigrants. She received her undergraduate degree in Government - International Relations from Georgetown University and Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. Palmina spent nearly 28 years in private practice as a trial lawyer, commercial litigator, white collar practitioner, and compliance specialist. She represented Fortune 100 companies in the technology, healthcare, financial services, defense, energy, and consumer goods sectors.
She led multi-jurisdictional investigations of corruption, fraud, and economic espionage in over 70 countries; negotiated corporate resolutions with multiple regulators; and designed and implemented hundreds of compliance programs. Palmina co-founded DLA Piper’s Anti-Corruption practice was co-chair of Paul Hastings’ Global Disputes and Compliance group and Technology, Media, and Telecommunications group, and was co-chair of Vinson & Elkins’ White Collar Defense group. Additionally, after only three years with Paul Hastings, Palmina was one of four partners elected to Paul
Hastings’ Compensation Committee.
Clients regularly praise Palmina’s business-savvy advice and her tenaciousness. She is Chambers-ranked and was recognized repeatedly by Ethisphere as an Attorney Who Matters. She also has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America, Top 100 Women Lawyers, Top 100 Lawyers practicing in Latin America, and Top Cyber Lawyer.
Recently, Palmina joined The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) as its first Chief Business Integrity Officer and Global Head of Litigation, helping the company prepare for its initial public offering in December. She also serves as the General Counsel of Ben & Jerry’s, a TMICC subsidiary.
Palmina is a director of New Classrooms, Hope Ignites, Fordham Law Alumni Association, and Fordham Prep Mother’s Club. She also mentors college and law students and is a member of the St. Joseph’s School Grants Committee and Georgetown’s Alumni Admissions Program.
Palmina is most proud of being mom to Milena, Eric, Gianni, and Leonardo. She and her husband, Richard, live in Scarsdale with their family.
For more information about NOIAW, its members and programs, or to become a member, visit www.noiaw.org
