Board of Directors

Noor Sunba – Chair of the Board

Noor Sunba has extensive experience in event production, logistics, team management, and strategic planning, with highlights including Ottawa 2017 and FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. She has been volunteering with Italian Week Ottawa since 2019. In these roles, she has managed both high-level planning, as well as detailed programming logistics. 

Although not (officially) of Italian Heritage, Noor is passionate about Italian culture, is actively engaged in the Italian community, and is a supporter of the local Italian businesses in Little Italy and beyond. She completed four years of Italian language studies in Ottawa.

Flavia Iannetta – Vice-Chair of the Board

Flavia Iannetta is a Partner in PwC Canada’s Consulting practice, where she helps public-sector leaders turn strategy into tangible results. A multilingual leader, Flavia’s career is marked by extensive experience working with diverse clients, with a focus on enabling strategic initiatives that strengthen trust in government services. The daughter of Italian immigrants and raised in Montréal, Flavia leads with curiosity, authenticity, and respect– values shaped by her family and community.

As Vice-Chair of Italian Week Ottawa, Flavia convenes partners across the city’s Italian organizations to deepen community engagement across generations and newcomer communities. Nothing brings her more joy than seeing younger Italian-Canadians connect with their roots– like watching her daughter, Livia, perform traditional tarantella during the Festival– because culture is sustained through people, stories, and shared moments.

Flavia is proud to serve a community that feels like home and to help Italian Week Ottawa celebrate the heritage, creativity, and generosity that continue to shape Ottawa’s vibrant Italian identity.

Carmine Urbani – Treasurer

Carmine Urbani is an accounting student at Carleton University with an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong commitment to community. He is passionate about business, leadership, and creating meaningful impact through professional, cultural, and community-driven initiatives. He takes pride in supporting the Italian community and contributing to its continues growth, connection, and success.

Lydia Di Francesco – Past Chair and Strategic Advisor

Lydia Di Francesco is a second-generation Italian-Canadian and is the CEO of Fit + Healthy 365. She holds a Bachelors and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ottawa and was recently named Businesswoman of the Year. Lydia is a regular TV guest expert on CTV and Rogers TV and has been published in national and local magazines. Lydia has been an Ottawa resident since 2000 with involvement in many community organizations, including being on the Italian Week Board since 2019. Lydia employs her skills in strategy, relationship building, community development, and logistical organization to oversee the execution of the festival.

Jody Saurette – Secretary of the Board

Jody Saurette is a lifelong Ottawa resident with a passion for Italian culture, especially Italian cuisine. He is currently an Applications Analyst for TD Bank and is a Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class in the Naval Reserve currently serving as Coxswain of HMCS CARLETON here in Ottawa. He has served in the Naval Reserve since 1992.

Stefani Truant

Stefani Truant is an arts administrator in the classical music world. She is the Founder and President of Truant Artist Management, a boutique agency dedicated to amplifying voices of living composers. With over two decades in the classical music field, including roles with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and National Arts Centre Orchestra, she has led major commissioning projects and a professional development program for emerging composers. Stefani holds two music degrees and has served on numerous arts juries; she is presently co-chair of the JUNO Awards Classical Music Advisory Committee.

A proud second-generation Italian-Canadian, Stefani grew up in Windsor, ON, and has lived in Ottawa since 2008. She is actively engaged in Ottawa’s Friulian community, is an avid soccer fan, and is known for her tiramisù.

Alexina McLeod

Alexina is a second-generation Italian-Canadian born and raised in Montreal. Growing up in a half-Italian household, she maintains a strong connection to her heritage and is passionate about sharing Italian culture with the people around her. By day she is a policy analyst for the Government of Canada.

Madona Markaj

Madona is an Ottawa-based lawyer with a deep passion for her Italian heritage. Having moved from Italy to Canada in her youth, she understands the importance of maintaining cultural ties. Beyond her legal practice, Madona is dedicated to supporting local initiatives that celebrate the Italian-Canadian community and culture.

Tony Mariani

Tony Mariani has been involved in the Italian community for over 20 years, including being President of Italian Week from 2016-2017. He is the President of Mar Gard Builders Limited who specializes in commercial construction both locally and internationally. Tony has an outstanding track record in all aspects of business growth and management, from promotion and sales to financial control and team leadership. He has handled all aspects of general business management with responsibilities ranging from strategic planning to performance evaluation.