E-novation Foundation names 13th Italian Excellence Award winners in Washington and Rome

The E-novation Foundation has announced the recipients of the 13th Italian Excellence Award, with 16 honors and three merit awards set for Washington, D.C., and nine more excellence awards planned for Rome. The program spotlights Italian leadership in public service, business, science, culture, and innovation during Italian Heritage Month.

Why it matters: - The Italian Excellence Award is designed to showcase Italian merit, innovation, and global leadership in public life, business, science, culture, and social impact. - The award also aims to turn individual achievements into a broader network of influence and reputation across Italy, the United States, and the Italian diaspora. - The Washington event is tied to Italian Heritage Month and adds a transatlantic platform for recognizing Italian excellence in front of U.S. and international audiences.

What happened: - The E-novation Foundation announced recipients of the 13th Italian Excellence Award at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. - The Washington ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2026. - The foundation said 16 Excellence Awards and three Awards of Merit will be presented in Washington. - Nine additional Excellence Awards are scheduled for Rome in November 2026 at the Senate of the Italian Republic. - The event is organized by the E-novation Foundation with the International Reputation Institute of Washington, D.C.

The details: - The foundation says the award was conceived by President Massimo Lucidi, who also is a journalist and National Press Club member. - Lucidi said the award seeks to share an Italian model of excellence and sustainability while promoting hope, value, life, and peace. - Azzurra Rinaldi, vice president of the E-novation Foundation, said related events were organized throughout Italian Heritage Month, including an event at St. Patrick's Cathedral marking the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11. - Sabrina Gianforte of Palermo and Alberto Patruno of Naples also serve as vice presidents of the foundation. - The Washington honorees include the Office of the President of the Italian Republic, recognized for an initiative at the Castelporziano Presidential Estate supporting people with disabilities and older adults. - Other Washington recipients include journalists, entrepreneurs, innovators, academics, artists, athletes, and civic leaders. - Washington honorees listed by the foundation include Maurizio Molinari, Michele Fiscalini, Stefano Marra, Arcangelo Caiazzo and Pasquale Auricchio, Luigi Carrino, Sabrina Zuccalà, Carlo Ventura, Antonio Genovese, Marco Cartoni, Cammino dell’Angelo, Massimiliano Finazzer Flory, Giuseppe Tecce, Niels Telderman, Andrea Loggini, and Lorenzo Leggio. - Merit awards in Washington go to Melissa Rava, Raffaello Bellavista, and Attorney Michele Sarno. - The Rome honorees listed by the foundation include Paolo Masini, Delfina Licata, Nunzio Ferraro, Massimo De Angelis, Giovanni Giacchi, Antonello Mineo, Biagio Semilia, Engineer Giovanni Manduca, and Gregorio Maiorano.

Between the lines: - The award list mixes public institutions with private-sector leaders, suggesting the foundation is positioning Italian excellence as a broad civic and economic category rather than a narrow professional prize. - The Washington and Rome split gives the program a dual-center format that reinforces the event’s message of Italy’s global reach. - The emphasis on networking and netreputation shows the award is meant to function as both recognition and relationship-building.

What's next: - The Washington ceremony will present the first round of awards during the Oct. 16 event at the National Press Club. - The Rome awards are set for November 2026 at the Senate of the Italian Republic. - The foundation is expected to continue using Italian Heritage Month and related gatherings to extend the award’s visibility and reach.

The bottom line: - The 13th Italian Excellence Award is being used as a transatlantic showcase for Italian talent, with Washington and Rome ceremonies highlighting leaders the foundation says embody merit, innovation, and social value.