Our Board
Stefano Gulmanelli
President
Stefano Gulmanelli holds a PhD in Sociology and International Relations and a Master's Degree in Economics. He was born in the Middle East and has lived in Europe, Africa, Australia and Canada. He has matured his professional experience in the corporate world, journalism and academia. He is currently a Lecturer in the Departments of Sociology and Political Science at the University of British Columbia and at Simon Fraser University
Email: stefano.gulmanelli@dantesocietybc.ca.
Tom Henry
Membership Coordinator
Tom Henry is a retired senior officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force and a retired senior business manager from a British Columbia technology company. He is a graduate engineer. He has studied the Italian language for many years and had the good fortune to visit Italy for work and pleasure many times.
Email: tom.henry@dantesocietybc.ca.
Federica Ferruda
Treasurer
Federica Ferruda was born in Padua and grew up in Verona, where she graduated from Secondary School in Linguistic Studies. For over 20 years she has been working in partnership with her husband, a professional artist, in the management and development of his professional career.
Email: federica.ferruda@dantesocietybc.ca.
Laura Nelson
Cultural Events Advisor
Laura Nelson has retired from a career in health care. Firstly, as a Registered Nurse followed by twenty years as a Business Professional in Bio- Pharmaceutical sales and business development.
Born in Canada with roots in Italy, Laura has a deep interest in Italian travel and culture and is a student of The Dante Italian Language School.
Email:
Former Board Members
David Avren
Secretary
David Avren is a founding Board member. Born in Canada, with English as his native language, he is a longtime student of Italian language, and an enthusiast for Italian culture. He is a lawyer and is Vice President, Legal and Compliance at the Real Estate Council of BC.
Cultural Events Coordinator
Arianna Dagnino is a writer, lecturer and literary translator. She holds a Master's degree in Modern Languages from the University of Genoa and a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of South Australia. Her novel The Afrikaner (Guernica Editions, Toronto, 2019) is inspired by the five years she spent in South Africa as a reporter.
She teaches Italian Studies at the University of
British Columbia.
Monica Liscio Gordon
PLIDA Certification Coordinator
Monica Liscio Gordon was born in Turin, where she completed her studies in Philosophy and Social Anthropology. She holds a Masters in Modern Language Education. She teaches Italian language and culture at the University of British Columbia.
Adele Tremblay
Education and Courses
Adele Tremblay has retired from a career of teaching and administration. She holds a Master’s degree in French. She has been pursuing her passion for the Italian language at various schools in both Vancouver and Italy.
Public Relations
Gary Waines is a supporter of the Italian cultural and linguistic landscape and passionate about Italian music, design, and architecture.
Gary Waines
Our Committees
School
Coordinator: Silvia Giabardo
Administrator: Ludovica Soleri
Advisor: Tom Laurie (BM)
Cultural Events
Coordinator: Arianna Dagnino
Advisor: Laura Nelson (BM)
Marketing & Communication
Coordinator: Arianna Dagnino
Marketing Manager & Web Master: Ludovica Soleri
Advisor: Laura Nelson (BM)
Volunteer (Social Media): Benedetta Franzini
Governance, Constitution and Bylaws
The Dante Alighieri Society of British Columbia is incorporated under the Societies Act of British Columbia. Our constitution and bylaws set out our purposes and our procedures, and conform also to the requirements of the Dante Alighieri Society in Rome and its governing legislation.
If you have any questions, please contact us at: info@dantesocietybc.ca
