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Colorful, multi-faceted and driven are three qualities that describe Maryann Pisano. A 2010 graduate of Dominican University in River Forest, Pisano is a pioneering young woman who lives life on the cutting edge of the internet. A recipient of a bachelor’s degree from Dominican with a major in journalism and minor in English, she is currently balancing the demands of an internet magazine that she founded with her reporting duties at TribLocal and Pioneer Press. Pisano began her ambitious writing career at a very young age. “When I was 3 years old, my mom would always read books to me. …

Francesca Barsellotti lost her mother in 1999. From that point on, she was determined to follow a path that would not only help her with the healing process, but also make her mother proud. In 2000, Barsellotti was accepted into the prestigious culinary arts program at Le Cordon Bleu. Since graduating, she has hit the ground running as the pastry and executive chef behind Amoremia Cucina Italiana in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood and the pastry chef at the Puerto Rican-inspired Coco Restaurant in Chicago’s Humboldt Park. “At first, I went to school to study math and accounting, but when …

Student athletes have their hands full juggling the demands of their academic and athletic schedules, leaving little room for extracurricular involvement. But don’t tell that to Chuck Porcelli. Not only has he earnsed a spot as a starting offensive tackle for the Northwestern Wildcats, he has performed above and beyond the call of duty in the university’s Learning and Organizational Change program while battling childhood illnesses as part of a national program known as Uplifting Athletes. Porcelli is a 2008 graduate of Montini High School, where he played offensive tackle for the varsity team all four years. His freshman year, …

America marked Women’s History Month in March, but on Feb. 18, Casa Italia held a celebration of its own, honoring renowned NBC5 anchor Allison Rosati as Woman of the Year. The event was a huge success, with nearly 500 well-wishers turning out to support Rosati as well as the Casa’s mission of “preserving Italian heritage and sharing Italian culture.” Behind the scenes, another woman was making an impact. Her name is Kimberly Palmisano, chair of the 2012 gala. Palmisano is an attorney in Chicago with areas of concentration in international, corporate and real estate law. After completing her undergraduate degree …

These days, you can’t do anything without access to a computer or the internet. Many people take these tools for granted, or fail to realize how truly important they are in everyday life. That’s where Joe Mannarelli comes in. A Notre Dame High School alum from Des Plaines and a senior at DePaul University, Mannarelli is a volunteer through the university at Computer Literacy In Our Community. CLIC is a project of A Safe Haven Foundation, a 120-day transitional shelter for homeless adults and children that provides residents with the skills they need to be able to live on their …

Financial professional Franco La Marca learned his life lessons well. He traces his Italian roots to Alta Villa Milicia, the small town outside Palermo where his parents, Mario and Marianna, were born. They currently live in Glenview and visit family and friends in Sicily yearly. “My parents always emphasized to give back the blessings that they had instilled in me through affording me an education in college and law school, to get involved in philanthropy.” La Marca put those lessons to good use when he took a leadership position as founder of the Associate Board and as co-chair of the …

Gulia Huertas is not your average “yogi.” In fact, the owner/operator of P.S. Yoga in Chicago’s Galewood neighborhood (psyogachicago.com) is the quintessential role model for aspiring yoga instructors and entrepreneurs. Huertas, who is petite but very strong both mentally and physically, started her yoga journey in high school as a result of an injury she suffered as a cheerleader. Ten concussions, three auto accidents, two cycling accidents and a handful of unfortunate events later, “The only thing that has made me heal and feel better was yoga,” she explains. While taking yoga classes at a local gym, she worked part-time …

As Westchester’s new police chief, John Carpino comes from successful stints helping law enforcement departments in Oak Brook, Worth and Willow Springs. Yet he’s by no means a stereotypical law enforcement officer. How many officers can claim they foiled a robbery while off duty? Or started a successful website long before high-tech was in vogue? Carpino’s done both, and much more. He also teaches in the Criminal Justice Department at Lewis University. But when it comes to Westchester, that’s job one. “I treat Westchester like it’s my neighborhood,” Carpino says. “This is not my department. It’s everyone’s department. We’re shipmates …

Three years ago, Hayden Baker and his younger brother, Quinn, were teammates on the Cary-Grove High School Class 6A state championship squad, which ended its season with a spotless 14-0 record. Quinn, the senior quarterback of the 2012 Cary-Grove team, was one step away from repeating a similar feat: Winning a 6A championship and going undefeated. The Trojans faced Lake Forest in the Class 6A state semifinals Saturday, Nov. 17, and Hayden — who’s completing his redshirt sophomore year as a center with the Northwestern University Wildcats — attended his brother’s playoff games when his schedule allowed. “I’m just proud …

This is Ronnie Castaldo’s senior year. And the three-year varsity starting linebacker/running back at Lake Park High School in Roselle wants to make it a memorable one. Advancing to the Class 8A state playoffs — the Lancers last qualified for the postseason in 2009–is a team-wide goal. Castaldo plans on doing everything in his power to help Lake Park get there. “The last game of the year (in 2011) we beat Neuqua Valley (a state playoff qualifier) in double overtime and carried that into the off-season,” Castaldo said. “There’s no limit for us. I think we’re one of the toughest …