Panelists in conversation at Pazzi di Pizza in Elmhurst
On Wednesday evening, October 21, CIAP welcomed local professionals to Pazzi di Pizza in Elmhurst for the 2nd Annual Small Business Expert Panel Discussion. From 6:00 to 9:00 PM, attendees gathered for a moderated panel, audience Q&A, and networking over food and drinks in the restaurant's patio room.
The evening brought small business experience from several fields into one conversation, and gave attendees the chance to ask questions directly. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this gathering a warm, engaging part of the Italian American Chicago professional community.
A look at the evening
Audience Q&A
An audience member asks a question during the Q&A.
The patio room
A full patio room for the panel and dinner.
Moderator and panelists
Moderator Orlando Pastore and panelists after the discussion.
Conversation and connection
Networking under the string lights at blue hour.
Members catching up between sessions.
Conversation and a glass of wine before the program.
Highlights from the panel
Business Advisor Orlando Pastore of Pastore Business Solutions moderated the discussion. Orlando's role was to guide the panel and help bring several professional perspectives together. He was also CIAP's most recent Member Spotlight, so it was especially nice to have him leading this event.
The panel featured professionals whose work spans a range of small business fields:
- Michael Neri, Founder and Owner of Pantheon Printing, representing the printing field.
- Paolo Cosentino, Founder of Sunnyside Signals, bringing a signage perspective.
- Michelle Padula, President and CEO of SBE Media Consulting, representing media consulting. Michelle is also CIAP's newest member; we were pleased to welcome her this week.
- Anna Maria Kowalik, Principal and C-PACE Consultant at Curly Consultancy LLC, bringing expertise in C-PACE financing advisory.
- Joe Russo of Russo's Hillside Chapels, representing a family business in funeral services.
Together, the panel reflected the range of experience found across Chicagoland's small business community: from printing and signage to media consulting, financing advisory, and funeral services. That mix was a practical reminder that small businesses work in very different fields, while still sharing the value of experience, thoughtful questions, and strong professional relationships.
The audience Q&A gave attendees an opportunity to put questions directly to the panelists. One recorded remark from Michelle Padula captured a broad span of business experience:
"We're from literally started with nothing and no money to Fortune 50 companies. So it's anywhere in the range."
- Michelle Padula, President and CEO of SBE Media Consulting
The evening's format offered two clear benefits: it brought distinct professional fields into one shared discussion, and it created space for attendees to engage directly through questions. After the panel, guests had time to continue conversations and make connections over food and drinks. Sometimes a helpful introduction starts with a question, and sometimes the conversation carries on after the program ends.
With thanks
Our sincere thanks go to moderator Orlando Pastore and panelists Michael Neri, Paolo Cosentino, Michelle Padula, Anna Maria Kowalik, and Joe Russo for sharing their time and professional perspectives.
Thank you as well to Pazzi di Pizza in Elmhurst for hosting us in the patio room, and to the CIAP volunteers whose work helps bring members and guests together. Events like this are built through the contributions of many people, and we're grateful to everyone who took part.
Coming up: Veneto Wine Tasting
We hope you'll join CIAP on Friday, November 6, for our Veneto Wine Tasting. The evening will feature five wines from the Veneto region, with the lineup revealed at the event.
Tickets are $90 online or $100 at the door. Find event information and reserve your place through the CIAP events page.
Keep building connections with CIAP
Whether you joined us at Pazzi di Pizza or are just discovering CIAP, you're welcome to stay connected. Explore the CIAP Business Directory to discover member businesses, or learn about membership options for professionals, organizations, and businesses.
If you're looking for a Chicago Italian American club or professional network where you can meet people, share your work, and become more involved in the community, we'd be happy to hear from you. Contact Salvatore Sciacca at salvatore@chicagolanditalians.com.
We look forward to seeing you at a future CIAP gathering!