To mark La Festa della Donna, I want to celebrate a woman who has profoundly shaped my thinking about language, education, and business — and who, above all, I am proud to call my best friend and a true personal inspiration.
I met Daniela Gianesini years ago, when I was living in Rome and searching for a school for my daughters. Daniela is the Educational Director and co-owner of La Maisonnette, a network of international trilingual schools where Italian, French, and English are spoken daily.
Long before multilingual education became fashionable, she helped create an environment where children move naturally between languages and cultures — something that deeply resonated with me both as a linguist and as a mother with an Italian heart and an international life.
As a linguist, I’m especially drawn to the principle behind her work: that multilingualism develops cognitive flexibility, empathy, and the ability to shift perspective. Those human skills will matter even more in the age of AI.
La Maisonnette began as a single school in Rome and has expanded into a wider affiliated network serving families across the city and beyond — a testament to her consistency, dedication, and long-term vision.
I admire how Daniela has remained a true expert in her field while also building the systems, structure, and strategy to grow the business. Not every business owner manages to balance the two; it means stepping out of your comfort zone to work on the business, not just in it – even when it might be easier to stay focused on delivery. Another example of the 2% mindset in action.
Buona Festa della Donna!