Federica Mazzarelli originally joined AUR as part of the university's 'Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Engagement' initiative. More recently, Federica has been an integral part of AUR's Alumni & Development efforts.
Born and raised in Rome, Federica studied Economics for International Development and worked for several years prior to joining AUR as a fundraiser for non-profit organizations in Italy.
Federica loves to travel, explore the world, and learn from other cultures. She likes the mountains, both in winter and summer… but also loves the sea! Her favorite spots: Ponza and Carloforte..."That’s basically what heaven must look like.
Federica has a passionate relationship with good wine and good food... and is always on a diet!
Federica is pictured here (she's the one on the left...).
We caught Federica between meals and asked her our standard range of revealing #unplugged questions...
Q. When were you happiest?
[One day?] The day the workers and the architect finished my home. It looked fabulous and it was exactly how I imagined it. When I put in my Gio Ponti and Yngve Ekstrom Chairs, even more so!!
[In general:] Every time I go to Carloforte
Q. What is your computer and/or phone wallpaper?
The computer wallpaper is just the default one, but that’s just because it’s my work computer, not because I'm boring! On my phone both wallpaper and screensaver are romantic pictures of me and my partner, Giulio (ok, maybe I really am just boring...).
Q. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Oh, this is a nice question! When I was 4 I wanted to be a worm breeder. Then I grew up and, by the age of eight, I decided I wanted to be a director of my own hotel chain. I have singularly failed to achieve both to date - but I think there's still time.
Q. What is the worst job you've ever done?
The worst: I was a hostess at a stand at a book fair. I did that 12 hours a day for 5 days a year for 10 years, High heels, fake smile and no coffee breaks! The most fun (I know you didn’t ask, but it’s worth it!): I’ve also been a sort of clown for 12 years.
Q. If you weren’t a Fundraiser, what would you be?
An architect or an interior designer or maybe an agronomist. More realistically, I would probably be working in the profit sector in the CSR department - or I'd be a worm farmer!
Q. Which word or phrase do you most overuse?
“amorevole” … when something is just too cute.
Q. What is the most important lesson that life has taught you?
That where some people see borders, you can really see horizons.
Q. How do you relax?
Chatting with friends, drinking gin & tonic, travelling and eating wonderful food, and building life bullet points in my head.
[Editor's note: We're guessing 'life bullet points' is something like 'bucket lists', but we're only guessing!]
Q. What trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Oh there are soooo many. Can I get back to you on that one?
Q. What trait do you most dislike in others?
Again, soooo many to choose from... I would say dishonesty and indifference (and not sharing food).
Q. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Pizza e Mortadella for sure! Gin & Tonic is another good one.
Q. If you could bring something extinct or a deceased historic figure back to life, what/who would it be?
From the near past, I would definitely want to have a conversation and a cup of tea with Tiziano Terzani.
Q. If you could travel back in time just once, where and when would you go?
To a Bob Marley concert! Or just a decade back, to hug my Nonno once more.
Q. Tell us a secret
Nope
(I have some great stories about driving my scooter in the Trullo neighborhood in a Pongo costume (from the 101 dalmatian) or that time I was in the shopping mall running around dressed like Tinkerbell. Buy me a gin & tonic and I’ll reveal all).