Team
Gaetano Giunta
He holds a bachelor’s and a PhD in physics. He was councillor for social policies of the city of Messina in the 90’s and was directly involved in the creation and development of the local social economy cluster (Advanced Social Cluster): he was a founding member of several social economy organizations (social cooperatives, foundations, social enterprises, etc.) and in 2010 he was one of the founders of the Foundation, becoming its Secretary General. He has 27 scientific publications in the field of thermodynamics and 20 publications on socio-economic issues. He is directly involved in the design and delivery of all the development policies promoted by the Foundation, including the business support services.
Giacomo Pinaffo
He holds a degree in Business Economics and a Master’s in Economics of Local Development, both with maximum grade. He has focused his entire career of study and work on the social economy sector. He attended a specialization training in project management and was project manager for the Presidency Office in FEBEA (European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks) and in SEFEA (financial cooperative, FEBEA instrument), coordinating also several EU-funded project. He was also Impact Manager at SEFEA IMPACT (Asset Management Company dedicated to impact investing strategies). Since the beginning of 2020 he is project and networks manager at the Community Foundation.
Rainer Schlueter
He graduated in Business Administration in Brussels. Secretary General of CECOP (European confederation of industrial and service cooperatives), then Director of Cooperatives Europe and the International Cooperative Alliance, he has dedicated his entire career to the development of the Social Economy at European and international level. He was an EU and OECD expert on social entrepreneurship and has been directly engaged in social economy cluster development in Belgium, France, Italy and Madagascar. Experienced as trainer and teacher at University and long-life learning level. Since the end of 2018 he works as project and networks manager at the Community Foundation.
Maria De Cola
She holds a bachelor in political science and a master degree in Sociology and social research. She has joined Community Foundation in 2015, dealing mainly with administrative and accountability activities.
Giacomo Farina
Musician and event manager. Artistic and technical director of several national and international festivals organised in Sicily and Calabria. Founder and executive producer of several cultural association and art promotion companies. In the Community Foundation he is manager of all artistic and promotional events and is engaged in the communication and dissemination activities.
