Meet the ASM 2026-27 Board of Trustees
At the heart of our school’s governance and strategic direction lies the Board of Trustees, a dedicated group committed to steering our institution toward a future marked by educational excellence and sustainable growth. This collective of visionary leaders shapes the path we follow, ensuring that every decision aligns with our mission to provide top-tier education within a financially responsible and administratively efficient framework.
Daniel Di Tullio
Languages spoken: English
Introduction: Originally from Perth, Australia, Daniel is the Vice President of Operations for the Aliaxis Group. He has lived in Milan, Italy, since 2020 with his wife Angela and their three children, Alessandra, Mario, and Serena. Daniel’s career began as an engineer, completing an MBA in Australia. Most recently, Daniel had a 4-year tenure in Brussels, Belgium, as Head of Transformation at Aliaxis Group. His wife Angela is an active member of the PTO. They are both passionate about the inquiry-based learning of ASM and are happy to see their children continue to expand their intercultural competence in an inspiring and collaborative environment.
Board Role: Re-elected for a three-year term at the May 27, 2025, General Assembly. He's currently serving as Vice President.
Sara Burigo
Languages Spoken: Italian, English
Sara is an accomplished Advisory Board Member with a proven track record of providing strategic leadership and guidance to top financial services institutions worldwide. With over two decades of experience at Goldman Sachs and extensive experience in risk management, financial acumen, and stakeholder management, Sara empowers boards and executive teams to navigate complex business landscapes and achieve sustainable growth.
Board Role: Elected to the ASM Board of Trustees in May 2024, she is in her second year as Treasurer.
Anna Rosa Cosi
Languages spoken: Italian, English, French.
Introduction: Anna has over 20 years of legal experience and currently serves as the General Counsel Italy at Siemens. She previously led an international legal team at Western Digital and has worked with top Italian and American firms. She also teaches at Università di Pavia. Anna holds a master’s degree in European and Comparative Law from the University of Oxford and a Law Degree from Università di Pavia.
Board Role: On the ASM Board of Trustees since March 2021, she serves a term expiring in May 2028. Board Secretary from 2021.
Alessandra Abate
Languages Spoken: Italian, English, Portuguese, German and Dutch.
Alessandra is a global citizen, mother, business leader, and coach passionate about strategy, scientific innovation, and people. She has extensive experience in change leadership and business model transformation.
After holding several leadership roles internationally, she moved to Milan in 2022 to lead the Italian branch of Russel Reynolds Associates, a global leadership advisory firm as Amministratore Delegato. Since 2024, she has been Recordati’s Chief People and Culture Officer, reporting directly to the CEO and serving on the Executive Leadership Team. She holds a degree cum laude in Foreign Languages and Literature from La Sapienza University and an MBA from LUISS University. Alessandra is also an ICF-certified coach.
Board Role: Elected to the ASM Board of Trustees in May 2024.
Paula Barrera
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Italian, French
With 20 years of experience as a culturally driven leader in Marketing, Communication, and business development for globally recognized luxury brands, Paula is Global Communications Director at Pomellato since March 2024.
An Alumna of the American School of Madrid, Paula holds an Executive MBA at the London Business School. She is deeply committed to the transformative power of education and serves as a seminar Professor at Istituto Marangoni (Media Planning, Business Strategy) London and Milan Campus.
Board Role: She was elected to the ASM Board of Trustees in May 2024 and currently serves as the Chair of the Advancement Committee.
Chiara Fusaro
Languages spoken: Italian, English, Spanish, French
Introduction: Chiara is the Head of Strategy and Marketing at her family’s global beauty company. With nearly two decades of experience, she focuses on strategic action plans, market trend monitoring, and revenue optimization. She is skilled in team management and holds degrees in Political Science and Marketing. Chiara is multilingual, married, a mother of three, and a volunteer who has served as President of Rotaract.
Board Role: Re-elected for a three-year term at the May 2025 General Assembly.
SUNNY (HISASHI) SHIMIZU
Languages Spoken: English, Japanese
Educated at the American School in Japan (Tokyo) from 1983 to 1996, Sunny was actively involved in student life, holding leadership roles. With a deep passion for international education and community engagement, he brings a global perspective shaped by living and working abroad. He is committed to supporting ASM's mission and contributing meaningfully to the Board through a strong sense of global responsibility and a deep understanding of cross-cultural perspectives.
Board Role: Appointed to the ASM Board of Trustees in June 2025, he has been elected to a three year term ending in May 2029.
Nicolo’ Pome’
Languages Spoken: Italian, English, German
Senior commercial executive with international experience in consumer healthcare and
pharma, including leadership roles at Alfasigma, Haleon, GSK, and Novartis. Proven
General Manager with full P&L responsibility across multi-country operations, driving
business turnaround, performance improvement, and organizational transformation.
Nicolo'; combines strong commercial, marketing and strategic expertise with experience
in complex environments, including M&A integration and large-scale change programs.
With his family he has lived in 4 different countries across Europe and has
finally relocated back to Milan
Board Role: Elected to the ASM Board of Trustees in May 2026 for a three-year term.
Andreas Koutsouris
Languages Spoken: English Dutch Greek and conversational French and German
Andreas is a turnaround and transformation leader with over 25 years of experience supporting strategic, operational, and organizational change, primarily in private equity-backed environments. He has held senior roles at AlixPartners, founded Ithaka Partners, and served as CEO of a luxury jewellery business, combining strategic insight with hands-on execution.
In addition to his professional work, he is active in education governance, serves on industry committees, and invests in and mentors businesses across multiple sectors. Originally Greek, he has lived in several countries and is multilingual, now based in Milan.
Michael Immordino
Languages Spoken: English
Michael Immordino is a US-qualified lawyer with over 40 years of experience in
corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity. A partner at White &
Case, he works between London and Milan and is known for combining strong legal
expertise with sharp business insight.
He has close ties to ASM, where he studied, and has supported its alumni engagement
and fundraising. He has also contributed to the Institute of War and Peace Reporting
(IWPR), helping to strengthen its long-term sustainability.
Board Role: His appointment to the Board for a three-year term was ratified at the May
2026 General Assembly.
Carla Fleharty
Carla Fleharty is the Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Milan. She is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the rank of Minister Counselor. Prior to this assignment, she served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua.
Carla joined the Department of State in 1999 and has served overseas in Yaoundé, London, Dakar, Islamabad, Montevideo, and Santiago. She has also done several domestic tours, including serving as Executive Director of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.
Carla holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from the College of the Ozarks, a M.A. in International Relations from Webster University, and a master’s degree in military art and science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. She speaks French, Spanish, and Italian.
Board Role: Hon. Fleharty was appointed to the ASM Board at the September 24, 2026 Board Meeting. Her Term will expire in May 2027.
ANDREW YANEV
Andrew Yanev
President of the Board of Trustees
Languages Spoken: English, French, Italian (learning)
Andrew and his family moved to Milan from the United States in 2024, attracted by the dynamism of the city and the American School of Milan.
Andrew is an entrepreneur with nearly 20 years of experience across the risk management, insurance, and lighting manufacturing industries. His ventures include EQE Risk, a risk management consulting firm specializing in natural disaster risks for multinationals and NGOs; Elemental LED, a leading U.S.-based LED lighting manufacturing company where he is an investor and former senior executive; and Nita’s Market, focused on the pet care industry. He began his career at Guy Carpenter & Co. in New York and BAE Systems in Washington D.C., and previously served on the Board of Directors of Europa Re, a Swiss-domiciled global reinsurer.
Andrew is an alumnus of the University of Southern California and holds a B.A. in French and Economics. He attended public high school at Miramonte High School in Orinda, California.
Board Role: President since June 2026. Elected to the ASM Board of Trustees in May 2025.