Related Professional Experience

My approach to educational leadership is shaped by a diverse background in strategic coaching and technical design. These experiences provided the foundational skills in mentorship, team-building, and systems design that I apply to my work in education.

Leadership & Mentorship: American Football Coaching

Head Coach Rhinos Milano

My coaching journey began immediately after a career-ending injury in my senior year of high school, where I transitioned from player to mentor by coaching the freshman team . This passion led me to earn a coaching certification in college and eventually to my roles in Italy from 2002-2009, most notably as the Head Coach for the Rhinos Milano. Rebuilding the team from the ground up, I developed a program for players with vastly different ages (15 to 45) and skill levels. This experience was a masterclass in leadership, strategic planning, and mentorship.

Key Leadership Highlights:

  • Turnaround Leadership: In my first year as Head Coach for the Rhinos, I led a team that had not won a single game the previous season to a Serie C championship . In recognition of this achievement, I was awarded “Best Coach of the Year” by the Italian Federation of American Football (FIAF).
  • Strategic Progression: I successfully guided the team’s advancement through multiple, increasingly competitive divisions, culminating in a semi-final appearance in Serie A2 where we challenged for the league title.
  • Adaptive Problem-Solving: During a challenging season with the Blue Storms, I diagnosed on-field issues and pivoted from my defensive specialty to take over the offense. This strategic shift resulted in measurable, game-by-game growth and demonstrated my ability to adapt leadership styles to meet a team’s specific needs.

Web & Graphic Design Foundation

Prior to fully dedicating my career to education, I spent nearly a decade (2000-2009) as a freelance and agency web developer and graphic designer. This period was my technical and creative training ground, where I managed projects for a diverse range of clients, from small local businesses to multinational corporations. This hands-on experience in design, development, and project management now informs my strategic approach to leading a school’s entire digital presence.

Key Highlights:

  • Full-Spectrum Project Management: I delivered complete web solutions for major corporate clients, including The McGraw-Hill Companies and VNU Business Publications Italia. This involved managing the entire project lifecycle, from initial design concepts to final technical implementation and launch.
  • Brand Identity and Design: I provided comprehensive graphic design services, creating logos, websites, and promotional materials that built and sustained brand identities for numerous clients . This work was the direct precursor to my role in developing school-wide brand guidelines.
  • Foundational Technical Skills: I honed my expertise in a variety of web technologies and self-taught programming languages to meet evolving client needs. This commitment to continuous learning is the same mindset I now apply to mastering and implementing new educational technologies.

Websites

Logos