Ivano Leoncavallo
Director of Communications
With a B.A. in Semiotics from Brown University, Mr. Leoncavallo has enjoyed a broad and varied career in content production, marketing and communications, working at some of the world’s largest media companies. Most recently, he was Vice President of Creative for NBCUniversal International Networks in Los Angeles, where he oversaw a diverse, multi-lingual team of writer/producers, editors and designers to produce award-winning marketing assets for their portfolio of entertainment brands around the world. He also has served as Creative Director at Discovery Networks Latin America, helped launch the Disney Channel in Latin America as Director of Production and Promos, worked as Director of Content Creation at Vme Media, and held various positions at MTV Networks, including Director of MTV News Latino. He also ran a branding and design studio in Manhattan as Executive Producer and Managing Director, creating branding and promotion for clients around the world.
Mr. Leoncavallo’s international media career was facilitated by his language skills: he speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. Born in Morocco to an Egyptian mother and an Italian father, he immigrated to NY at the age of 5 and attended the United Nations International School in Manhattan, where he learned English. So, he knows firsthand the value of a good education for immigrants trying to make a life for themselves and their families here in New York. “After working for years in entertainment, it feels so rewarding to join this noble organization and have the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of people who are striving for a brighter future,” said Mr. Leoncavallo. “With its passionate and dedicated faculty and staff, a highly-motivated student body, and a commendable mission to provide opportunity and growth for all who seek it, Hostos is doing great and important work for the community in the South Bronx. So, I am proud to help get the word out and enable even more people to benefit from the incredible work this organization is doing.”