I was born and raised in New Jersey, where I grew up surrounded by a strong Irish heritage and a modest but meaningful connection to my mother’s Italian roots. My Italian background comes from my great-grandfather Raymond Gianelli, who immigrated to America at the age of 26 and settled in Orange, New Jersey. There, he met and married my great-grandmother Jennie, a fellow Italian immigrant. Together they built a life and raised three daughters—Josephine, Marsenna, and my grandmother Carolina. Carolina passed away when my mother was just an infant, which meant some of those Italian traditions faded over time. Reconnecting with that history has become deeply important to me.

I attended Monmouth University in New Jersey where I spent 10 years working as the textbook manager while attending classes part-time. I’m now completing my degree through UNC Charlotte. I also lived for a period in the Cayman Islands, which further expanded my love of travel—I still enjoy visiting as often as possible and helping friends plan their vacations there. In 2016, I moved to North Carolina and quickly fell in love with the area. That same year, I began my career in property management, gaining experience in both single-family and multifamily housing across North and South Carolina.

Community has always been central to who I am. Shortly after settling in North Carolina, I founded Jersey Girls of the Triangle to help fellow New Jersey transplants find connection, friendship, and a sense of home. Creating spaces where people feel welcomed and supported is something I’m truly passionate about. I recently started taking tap dance classes—proof that it’s never too late to learn something new. I bring that same enthusiasm for growth and self-discovery to exploring my Italian heritage. When I’m not working or volunteering, I love traveling, going to hockey games with my son, Alex, and spending time with my two rescue beagles, Jameson and Chewy.

I first became involved with Festa when it moved to Apex and enjoyed serving as the Beer Chair for the past two years. I’m honored to serve as a board member for Festa Italiana and excited to share my passion for culture, connection, and community.