Executive Board Officers

Jennie Hauschild

President

Jennie grew up in Iowa, but settled in New York City after graduating from the University of Iowa. She worked in public education teaching Spanish, writing curriculum, and developing world language programs with a focus on student retention. She also coordinated group travel and led tours through Spain and Peru. Jennie moved to Rome in 2020 and now manages Airbnb apartments with her husband. She also offers tour experiences, and teaches English. “I look forward to promoting AWAR and building connections with other members and the community.”

Liz Grauman

Vice President

Liz Grauman was born and raised in Montana and studied photojournalism at the University of Montana. She first came to Rome in 2005 for a college course in history and, like any good American student, promptly fell in love with a local. After returning to Montana to graduate, she worked as an art director at the San Diego Union-Tribune and later moved east to design and edit at The New York Times. She married that Italian guy, returned to Rome with him and their baby girl, and is now the visual director for their portfolio of commercial real estate and vacation rentals in Rome and Florence. They have since added another daughter to the family, and Liz spends her free time cooking, eating, and traveling throughout Italy.

Megan Todd

Treasurer

Megan Todd, originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts, first came to Rome in 1992 after her graduation from Harvard University and has lived on and off in Italy ever since. After several years in Asia and the Pacific (Cambodia, East Timor, Vietnam) on postings for her husband’s work, she returned to Rome in 2017 and joined AWAR. She is the Program Director for Context Travel and oversees operations in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Married to a Roman, she is also the mother of two teenage daughters, students at St Stephen’s School and the University of Cambridge (UK). Megan served as Vice President of the Hanoi International Women’s Club and was the Chair of the Community Aid Committee.

Victoria Clasen

Secretary

Victoria moved from London to Rome with her family in July 2022. She owns and operates POP Florist, a sustainable floral design studio she first started in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Originally from Ohio, Victoria has worked around the world in various political and humanitarian roles for the United Nations in Afghanistan, Sudan, and Turkey. She is excited to contribute to AWAR and champions the experience and strength of women working together to support one another and their wider communities.

Committee Chairs

Jennifer Landini

Membership Chair

A native of Chicago, Jennifer, known as Jenn, is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University with a Master of Business Administration from North Park University. She moved to Rome in 2015 and is self-employed as an operations management consultant and real estate manager. Over the past two years, Jennifer has worked to update the AWAR website, social media and database. She hopes to continue that work while incorporating the AWAR traditions and values that mean so much to the members. Jennifer previously served three terms as AWAR's president.

Melanie Price

Forum Editor

Melanie hails from Indianapolis, Indiana, and relocated to Rome in mid-2022. Before she retired, in 2022, Melanie was a regulatory lawyer for Duke Energy, where she litigated cases before regulatory agencies on all aspects of electricity generation, delivery, and customer usage. Melanie joined AWAR soon after arriving in Rome and is enthusiastic about joining the Board and working on the Forum.

Amanda Testa

Events Chair

Amanda is an animal-adoring, nature-loving, veterinarian with sound ethical principles in life and the workplace. She has a solid scientific background and +10 yrs experience in sales management, currently as an Export Manager for a pharmaceutical veterinary company, where she is committed to enhancing business strategies that positively impact our pets’ health and quality of life. Amanda has Italian and American citizenship and lives in Rome, but travel has always been a big part of her private and professional life. She’s a big fan of curiosity and believes that excellence arises from cultural diversity and the collective power of diverse minds.

Caryn Hofberg

Activities Chair

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and lived most of my life there, although I spent 8 years in San Francisco.  I had an extensive career as an Account Manager selling Office Automation to Fortune 500 companies. In the five years before I moved to Rome, I was a caretaker for my mother until her passing at the age of 100. Prior to that, I had a store in the Historic District of downtown Los Angeles called FLEA, which was like a flea market in a store.  I started the Historic Downtown Merchants Association and was president for three years.  During that time, I also provided interior design and professional organizing services.  In my spare time, I love painting, going to art museums and galleries, and playing with my two cats, Pia and Frankie.  I currently live in the Quartiere Trieste in Rome. I have now lived here for two and a half years and love it. I'm happy to call Rome home.

Jenny Halse

Social Media Chair

Jenny Halse was born and raised in Marin County just across the Golden Gate Bridge in Northern California.  She moved to Rome as a child in the late 1980s for a short period where she was inspired by her mom who was an active member of AWAR.  Returning to the States, Jenny fueled her love of Italy by learning Italian in high school then going on to earn a minor in Italian and a degree in Journalism from the University of Colorado.  For more than 20 years Jenny has worked globally as a video director, producer and writer.  She is proud to contribute to AWAR as a second generation member and hopes her children will one day carry the baton in strengthening the community of American women in Rome.

Daniella D’Avila-Silva

Sustaining Membership Chair

Daniela is a connector, catalyst for change, loyalty expert, event planner, fundraiser, philanthropist, and a woman. She dreams differently and is a results-driven legal and business development professional with high-level contacts and a focus on social impact. Daniela has lived and worked on 4 continents, speaks 5 languages, and has a diverse background ranging from law to luxury management, branding, and innovation. She also hosted the largest Latin American edition of WIN's Global Women's Summit. Currently Fractional CXOat Win Win Women, with over 20 years of experience in Strategic Planning, Global Business Development, International Law, and Event Management. Interested in meeting open-minded, out-of-the-box, disruptive thinkers. Daniela is a firm believer in synergy “and you are welcome to connect with me.”

Lori Chee

Archivist

Meet Lori, a Los Angeles native and avid traveler with a passion for helping tech startups launch and grow. She runs a growth marketing consultancy, working in New York and San Francisco for the past 15 years. In 2021, she decided to relocate to Spain, where she unexpectedly met her future husband, an Italian history professor working on his next book. Fast forward to 2023, Lori has now settled in Rome, embracing her new home with enthusiasm. She feels incredibly grateful for the chance to connect with so many wonderful women through AWAR and is excited to contribute to the organization.

Erica Zmitrovitch

FAWCO Representative

Erica Zmitrovitch is a two-time vice president of AWAR. She holds degrees in Marketing and International Relations from New York University and a master’s degree in Marketing Science from Columbia University. Erica has worked in advertising and film production for more than two decades. Today she represents a group of internationally renowned photographers and directors. She recently founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability in our communities.

Michelle Tang

Parliamentarian, Constitution & Bylaws

Michelle was born in Hong Kong, but has lived and studied in the U.S., Canada, and now Italy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Occidental College and a Master of Arts in Graphic Communications from University of Hertfordshire. She currently works in communications and international development in Rome. She is also the mother of two children, ages 16 and 19. In her free time, she enjoys arts and crafts, hiking, and learning about new cultures and customs. She has been an AWAR member for many years.