Larry Purpuro
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Board of Directors and the Executive Search Committee, Chairpersons Gabriel Battista and Patricia de Stacy Harrison have announced that Lawrence J. Purpuro will join the Foundation on September 1, 2018, as its new Chief Executive Officer.
“Larry brings to this position experience and success in development, marketing, management and leadership. Through his work on Capitol Hill, his success as an entrepreneur, and his lifelong affinity and promotion of all things Italian, Larry is a perfect fit for NIAF,” said Harrison and Battista.
NIAF is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of 20 million Americans of Italian descent.
“I consider it a great privilege that NIAF’s Board of Directors has chosen me to assume the stewardship of this Foundation,” said Purpuro. “NIAF works to ensure that the contribution that Italian Americans have made—and continue to make—to the history and progress of the United States is affirmed through NIAF scholarships, grants, heritage travel and mentoring, while strengthening the ties between Italy and the United States. I look forward to being part of NIAF’s future as we communicate the Italian American story of achievement paired with contribution and connect with new generations of Italian Americans.”
A native of the New York/New Jersey area, whose family emigrated from the town of Benevento in Italy’s Campania region, Mr. Purpuro has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Drew University and holds a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University Law School. He is a resident of Alexandria, Va., where he lives with his wife, Lori Purpuro, and twin sons—both of whom are studying Italian.
