Our Story

Nicolette Lollino is the co-founder of The Avanti Group, a community-driven organization focused on bringing together young professional Italian Americans. With a degree from DePaul University, Nicolette’s passion for event coordination shines through in her work, where she thrives on creating experiences that foster connection and celebrate heritage. Outside of Avanti, Nicolette is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and licensed broker, constantly exploring new opportunities and challenges. Whether it's through her professional ventures or her work with Avanti, Nicolette is dedicated to making a lasting impact and helping others in her community succeed

Pasquale Gianni is Staff Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for Teamsters Joint Council 25, an umbrella organization representing over 100,000 hard-working men and women in Illinois and Northwest Indiana. As the organization’s exclusive in-house lobbyist, Gianni drafts legislation, testifies in legislative committees as well as boards and commissions, works to persuade elected officials, and maneuvers the legislative process at all levels of government. Gianni helps manage a Teamster PAC Fund to align with member’s interests and directs a field operation to elect pro-labor candidates. In addition, he has extensive experience with collective bargaining, National Labor Relations Board proceedings, and jurisdictional dispute hearings between local affiliates.

Mr. Gianni is President and co-founder of the Avanti Group of Young Italian-Americans, and an Executive Board Member of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian-Americans. His maternal grandfather and mentor, the late Dominic DiFrisco, served as President Emeritus of the JCCIA and shined in the Columbus Day Parade Broadcast booth for over 45 years. Pasquale is proud to have been awarded the opportunity to fill that role. In 2019, Pasquale stepped into his grandfather’s shoes to serve as master of ceremonies for the JCCIA’s coveted Dante Awards. Most recently, he started a monthly column titled “gioventù” in Fra Noi, Chicagoland’s Italian-American publication. He is also a partner in his family’s fourth-generation office furniture manufacturing business, Gianni Inc.

A proud, lifelong Chicagoan and avid Cubs, Bears, and Bulls fan, Gianni enjoys attending sporting events, dining at local restaurants, and spending time with his cherished family.

After a successful career as a fullback in the NFL, Dan Vitale has sought to redefine his identity beyond football. Embracing his Italian heritage, he has dedicated himself to fostering a vibrant Italian American community in Chicago. As treasurer of The Avanti Group, he utilizes his experience as a successful financial advisor at Morgan Stanley to manage resources effectively and support the group’s cultural initiatives. With a vision to expand The Avanti Group into a national community, Dan assists in organizing events and community gatherings that celebrate Italian traditions, creating a tight-knit network that honors their shared history. Today, he does his best to champion the values of family and community, proving that life beyond sports can be rich with purpose and connection.

As Head of Marketing for The Avanti Group, Carissa D’Alessandro combines business strategy with creative storytelling to connect and empower young professional Italian Americans. A DePaul University graduate in Finance and an emerging legal professional, Carissa brings a forward-thinking approach to every initiative—bridging culture, community, and modern marketing.
An entrepreneur and advocate for women in leadership, Carissa’s work spans across brand development, event strategy, and business consulting. With plans to pursue a career in law, she’s driven by the belief that true influence is built through authenticity, connection, and impact.