Franco Valobra, Hon. Helena Moreno, Chris Meek
“The Italian-themed celebration at the new consulate on Royal Street included lot of Franciacorta toasting and two ribbon cuttings,” said a rep for Valobra. A red, white and green ribbon was cut by the Italian Consul General of Houston, the Honorable Mauro Lorenzini, and a blue ribbon, meant to represent the state flag of Louisiana, was cut by Helena Moreno, president of the New Orleans City Council.
Among other special notes, a car with an interesting history was parked outside. The 1966 Fiat 600 Multipla originally served as the official vehicle for the mayor of Firenze in the 1960s.
Dignitaries from both the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans turned out to toast Valobra. New Orleans City Councilman Eugene Green, and Judge Kevin Centanni of Jefferson Parish Court were among them. Honorable Consul members of Uruguay, the Phillipines, Latvia, Iceland, Albania, South Africa, Dominican Republic and others also attended.
The festivities continued at an after party at Brennan’s nearby.
Alberto Gonzales, Patti Murphy
Alexander Monteleone, Gabrielle Dupuy, Greer and David Monteleone, Euan Monteleone
Ashley Davis, Peter and Peggy Breslin
1966 Fiat Multipla
David DeLeon, Franco Valobra, Cecil and Katrina Arnim, Roxanne DeLeon
Franco Valobra, Mary Ann and David McKeithan
Lacey and Gibbons Monteleone, Gabrielle Dupuy, Alexander Monteleone
Mark and Lisa Ammerman
Tucker Crawford and Giorgio Valobra
David Kinder, Marie Louise Kinder, Christine and Blake Williams
The keynote speaker was Zak Williams, son of the late Robin Williams. Zak launched the #speakyourmind campaign, a global movement intended to amplify the mental-health needs of underserved communities, and his journey of loss and grief was featured in the Apple TV+ series The Me You Can’t See.
Zak shared the statistic that 93 percent of people suffering from severe depression and bipolar disorder have no access to quality therapy, and programs like those offered by re:MIND are life-changing and live-saving. “Prevention is much more effective than crisis intervention,” said Zak, who received a standing ovation.
Elizabeth Pagan, Christine Williams, Ellie Bale
Will and Mary Williams
Drew and Tracy Pelter
Scott and Jill Holstead
Franna Litton, David Kinder, Marie Louise Kinder
Haresh and Yalamanchili Sushma
Kara and Ulises Vidal
Rich Kinder, David Kinder, Nancy Kinder
Jennifer Leal and Clint Leal
Katelyn Maida
Luncheon co-chair Christine Williams, speaker Zak Williams and luncheon co-chair Blake Williams
Mike and Janice Barker
Dee Dee Howes, Marie Louise Kinder, Aaron Howes
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