Meet Our New President Mark Ippolito

At our September board meeting, Mark Ippolito was nominated and unanimously elected as SPSCA’s new President, beginning his term immediately. Mark shared his focus with all members:

“In our ever-complicated and sometimes isolated world, the vision and mission of Seattle’s Sister City Program is more relevant than ever. Quoting from our charter document: ‘Our Vision: For Seattle to be a city where every resident understands their power and responsibility as a global citizen and has the tools to become globally engaged. Our Mission: Develop active and lasting cultural connections for the mutual benefit of the people of Seattle and its sister cities through educational, humanitarian, economic, and other endeavors.’

Since joining SPSCA in 2022 and serving as Membership Chair since 2023, I have seen firsthand how our work breathes life into our sister city vision and mission. Two powerful examples include welcoming delegates from Perugia to our 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration and witnessing the personal transformation of members who have been recipients of our annual scholarship program. I have also had the extreme pleasure of meeting and working with our members and board, all of whom bring a diversity of experience to our association and as a group are joyful and share a passion for deep, meaningful connection as global citizens.

With these examples in mind, I plan to build on our legacy of connection that delivers mutual benefit to our members in Seattle and Perugia. I’ve asked our board to help lead some key initiatives including expanding our scholarship program, creating more opportunities to foster and grow vibrant relationships between our Seattle and Perugia members, and engaging more deeply with the sponsors and partners who make our mission possible. Additionally, I will ask our board to be in direct contact with each one of our active members so we can better understand what our members want from SPSCA and find more opportunities for members to collaborate on our shared mission.

I am deeply indebted to German Rodriguez for his stewardship as President and, in his new role as President Emeritus, I will continue to rely on his deep knowledge and experience to help me and all of our board effectively deliver on our mission.

Thank you for your continued membership and support. None of our work is possible without our members by our side. I look forward to getting to know you at our next Seattle-Perugia Sister City event. Please say hello! If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me: [email protected].

Mille grazie, Mark”