Dominic DiFrisco has emerged over the decades as the voice of the Chicago-area Italian-American community, lending his considerable oratorical talents to major events throughout the year while sounding the alarm whenever our good name has been besmirched.

Born to Leoluca and Antonina, immigrants from Corleone, Sicily, Dominic began his career in public relations with Alitalia, eventually transferring to the city of Chicago as a public relations manager for the Midwest, and later rising to the rank of district sales manager. He is now a successful senior consultant at the global public relations firm of Edelman.

Dominic’s areas of expertise are in the government, community and social sectors. He is a well-known bridge-builder between the public and private sectors, and his “both sides of the aisle” approach to problems has yielded results for clients and the community alike.

Among the more prominent clients he has counseled throughout his career are the Illinois Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Illinois Department of Public Health, Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training, Gatorade, McDonald’s and Kerr-McGee Corp. He has earned praise throughout his career for effective leadership in Chicago’s multi-ethnic social fabric.

Dominic is a commendatore of the republic of Italy; former Fra Noi columnist; past chairman of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii board; longtime announcer of Chicago’s Columbus Day Parade; and president emeritus of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, having served five one-year terms as president of the organization.

He has received numerous awards from the Italian-American, African-American and Native-American communities, and has served as a member of the Illinois Human Relations Commission, board member of the Regional Organ Bank of Illinois, chairman of two telethons benefiting the United Negro College Fund, fundraising co-chairman for Israel Bond and Off the Street Club events, and advisory board member for the Illinois Arts Alliance.

Dominic’s daughter, Nina Mariano, wife of Robert Mariano, is the mother of Mr. DiFrisco’s beloved grandson, Pasquale. Dominic is married to Carol LoVerde DiFrisco, a Columbia College music professor and renowned soprano.