E-novation Foundation Announces Recipients of the 13th Italian Excellence Award at the National Press Club

At the National Press Club in D.C., the E-novation Foundation honors Italian merit, innovation, and global leadership at the 13th Italian Excellence Award.

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, October 20, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The spotlight is on the Italy that works: the Italy of Merit and Talent, Expertise and Passion. This is the 13th edition of the Italian Excellence Award in Washington, D.C., and the applause reflects the wonder inspired by the country’s Beauty, the curiosity and desire to emulate its lifestyle, the gratitude and admiration for its generosity, and the open-mindedness, willingness to help and sheer talent of our entrepreneurs and professionals. Every year, Washington, D.C., the capital of the world, becomes the stage for the story of the Italy that inspires. The event takes place at the prestigious National Press Club, home to the American press, renowned for its commitment to defending press freedom, fostering international dialogue, and providing sustained, in-depth coverage of global affairs.

An initiative of the E-novation Foundation, the event was conceived by its President, Massimo Lucidi, who brings together numerous organizations from across the Country each year to establish a strong, authoritative award that grows from the grassroots up and fosters Networking and Netreputation.

"We are living through a historic moment filled with anxieties and fears about the future," states Lucidi, who is also a journalist and member of the National Press Club. "Yet precisely for this reason, by sharing the Italian model of Excellence and Sustainability, we can generate Hope and Value in our Country, while reaffirming the Values of Life and Peace around the world by breathing new life into cultural gatherings and grassroots dialogue, working alongside Governments and Nations," concludes Lucidi, President of the E-novation Foundation, which organizes the event with the International Reputation Institute of Washington, D.C.

"We need to give a voice to the forces shaping the Future, to dialogue, and to best practices, so that, in our own small way, we can affirm the Value of those who strive every day to make the world more beautiful and just. That is why, alongside the Award ceremony in Washington, D.C., we have organized numerous events throughout Italian Heritage Month—most notably an event at St. Patrick's Cathedral commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11," explains Azzurra Rinaldi, a New York-based philanthropist of Italian-American heritage, wife and mother of two children with disabilities, and Vice President of the E-novation Foundation.

The Foundation is also well represented on stage by its other Vice Presidents, Sabrina Gianforte from Palermo and Alberto Patruno from Naples.

The award winners embody a vision of Excellence that brings together continuity and innovation, as well as solidarity and Hope. They are builders of Beauty. Their names and profiles alone reveal the dedication behind their work and the inspiring ambition they share. After all, the Award fosters both networking and netreputation.

Sixteen Excellence Awards and three Awards of Merit will be presented in Washington, with nine additional Excellence Awards to be presented in Rome. The honorees range from the Office of the Presidency of the Italian Republic to leading figures in Science, Business, Innovation, Culture, Communication, and Social Impact. Because the Italian Excellence Award does more than celebrate what people have achieved; it brings together those who want to keep building. "This is the strength of the E-novation Foundation," Lucidi concludes: "turning individual stories into a shared Heritage, Merit into an example, Beauty into Hope, and Excellence into the Future."


13th Italian Excellence Award
October 16, 2026
Official List of Award Recipients in Washington, D.C.
National Press Club

- Office of the President of the Italian Republic – For the initiative promoted at the Castelporziano Presidential Estate in support of people with disabilities and older adults – a model of inclusion, solidarity, and humanity.
- Maurizio Molinari – Journalist, Editorial Director of the Sapere Aude Editori group and Director of La Stampa USA.
- Michele Fiscalini – CEO and Co-Founder of Red Rock Technology, an agentic AI infrastructure company operating at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, security, and sovereign systems.
- Stefano Marra – CEO and Founder of HOAEXP LLC-FZ, a tour operator and B2B/B2C platform specializing in private travel, high-end safaris, and tailor-made experiences in Africa.
- Arcangelo Caiazzo and Pasquale Auricchio – Pizza Ammor Experience: frozen pizza made in Naples, Smart Retail, and 24/7 Vending Innovation.
- Luigi Carrino – University of Naples Federico II, President of DAC Campania and Campania Aerospace Academy Foundation.
- Sabrina Zuccalà – President of the National Drone Hub and Founder of 4ward360.
- Carlo Ventura – Setti Ferramenta, established in Modena in 1910, recognized for excellence in precision engineering.
- Antonio Genovese – CEO and Founder of AG Sports Agency LLC, an American sports agency.
- Marco Cartoni – Trainer and Founder of MeC Centers, specializing in personalized sports coaching.
- Cammino dell’Angelo – Trails connecting nature and faith, from Vico to Mount Faito in the Lattari Mountains.
- Massimiliano Finazzer Flory – Director and Producer of the documentary film Operation Trieste Bathyscaphe.
- Giuseppe Tecce – Writer and author of poetry, short stories, and novels published by Graus Edizioni.
- Niels Telderman – Italian lover, For the People by Anchorage Group.
- Andrea Loggini – Neurologist and Researcher at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
- Lorenzo Leggio – Physician and Scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Awards of Merit:

- Melissa Rava – President of Asso.Impre.Di.A. – National Association of Businesses for Environmental Protection and Conservation. For promoting a corporate culture centered on environmental protection, landscape quality, and the value of green spaces as strategic infrastructure for more sustainable, healthy, and livable cities.
- Raffaello Bellavista – Pianist, Singer, and Crossover Artist. Through his 2026 U.S. tour, he brings Italian music, culture and Excellence to the United States, transforming song into a bridge of identity, Beauty and dialogue between Italy and America.
- Attorney Michele Sarno – An example of a dedicated legal professional committed to his community and to others, working to promote the Culture of Life at all times and in all places.


13th Italian Excellence Award
November 2026
Official List of Award Recipients in Rome
Senate of the Italian Republic

- Paolo Masini – President of the Foundation of the National Museum of Italian Emigration.
- Delfina Licata – Head of Studies and Research at the Migrantes Foundation.
- Nunzio Ferraro – Founder of Pastificio Arte & Pasta.
- Massimo De Angelis – Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker.
- Giovanni Giacchi – Founder of Periodico22.
- Antonello Mineo – Senior Innovation Manager, President of Confimi Industria Sicilia, and President of the Sicily Mechatronics District.
- Biagio Semilia – Publisher of BlogSicilia.it and CEO of Digitrend.
- Engineer Giovanni Manduca – Elettrocostruzioni S.r.l.
- Gregorio Maiorano – Founder of Artenis.

Massimo Lucidi
International Reputation Institute LLC
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