Heritage Event | Living the Italian-Canadian Experience

Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating the experiences and contributions of Italian women in the Ottawa community. This engaging event highlights the rich history and cultural impact of local women in leadership through historical exhibits and an expert panel discussion.

This year’s panel explores the female perspective on Italian immigration, spanning generations—from those who arrived before World War I to post-war immigrants and modern-day newcomers. Panelists Trina Costantini-Powell, Anna Romano Milne, and Francesca Bellantone will share personal stories of resilience, identity, and cultural legacy. Moderated by Flavia Iannetta, Italian Week Ottawa Vice-Chair, this conversation offers a unique and heartfelt reflection on heritage and the evolving role of Italian women in Ottawa.

This event is presented by Italian Week Ottawa in collaboration with the National Congress of Italian Canadians (NCIC) (National Capital District).

Although this is a free event, registration is required to attend due to the capacity limit.

Flavia Iannetta (Moderator)

Flavia is a Director in PwC’s Consulting practice with over 18 years of experience in business transformation. A multilingual Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Management Consultant (CMC), she specializes in large-scale transformation initiatives within the Federal Public Sector. Fluent in both official languages, Flavia works closely with clients to translate strategy into actionable, sustainable outcomes.Known for her ability to not only design but also implement solutions, Flavia brings a pragmatic and people-focused approach to her work. She is an active member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and a recognized leader in driving meaningful change.

The daughter of Italian immigrants, Flavia’s heritage fuels her curiosity and deep commitment to authentic leadership. She is a strong advocate for inclusion and is proud to serve as a Diversity and Inclusion leader at PwC. She also contributes to her community as Vice-Chair of Italian Week Ottawa, championing values of respect, hard work, and belonging.

Guest Panelists

Trina Costantini-Powell

Trina was President of the National Congress of Italian Canadians from 2016-2022 and currently is the Second Vice-President, NCIC National. Trina has, for over 30 years, chaired many Italian Canadian associations and contributed to many other Ottawa organizations. Trina currently sits on the Villa Marconi Board of Directors. An Ottawa Women’s Filo Award recipient in 2010, followed by Leading Girls, Leading Women’s Award (2014) and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers (2017). Trina acts as the Research and Nominations Committee Chair, Ottawa Distinguished Women.

Anna Romano Milne

Anna Romano Milne is actively engaged in the Italian community and is deeply committed to connecting youth with their roots. She is currently the Project Lead for the Donne Di Ottawa exhibit and Vice-president of l’Associazione Molisani di Ottawa. Her writing practice includes volunteering on the AICW Editorial Board and contributing stories to italocanadese. Passionate about preserving dialects, Anna is also part of L’Eco dei Dialetti committee in Toronto. Anna has served in the senior executive ranks of the Canadian federal public service, leading national programs spanning health and economic portfolios.

Francesca Bellantone

Francesca Bellantone was born in Campo Calabro, a small village in Calabria. She moved to Ottawa in 2016 with her husband, Roberto Cucinotta, and their children, where they now reside permanently. Together, Francesca and Roberto own and operate Dolci Sapori, an Italian bakery and café in Ottawa. Despite living abroad, Francesca remains deeply connected to her Italian roots and traditions, passionately sharing Italian culture through her work in the restaurant industry. Looking ahead, she aims to continue her professional growth and explore more of Ottawa’s diverse neighborhoods.

Notice of Filming and Photography: When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction.

Thanks to our event sponsor Trimaran Advisory Group.

Additional Notes:

• FREE parking available on-site.
• Photos and/or videos may be taken during the event. By registering, you consent that these archival photos and/or recordings, either in whole or in part, may be utilized by Italian Week Ottawa for any and all promotional purposes.