Since 2007, Vicky Carabini has served as Ambassador to San Juan Capistrano’s Sister City, Capestrano, Italy. She is actively involved in promoting Italian culture in Orange County through fundraising events, Italian film nights, parades, and food drives. She also publishes a well-loved newsletter that keeps the Southern California Italian American community informed and connected.

Vicky is Chair of the Italian Studies Council and a Board Member of the Ferrucci Institute at Chapman University. She also serves as Regional Vice President for the National Italian American Foundation and sits on the Boards of the Mission Preservation Foundation and Mission Hospital. She is the former President of the Italian Arts Council.

In 2003, Vicky and her husband, Michael, purchased a farmhouse in southern Tuscany and have been producing olive oil ever since. In 2009, Vicky and her family proudly attained Italian citizenship and she became a resident of Sarteano, where the farmhouse is located, in 2011.

In recognition of her work preserving and promoting Italian heritage, she received the Columbus Day Heritage Award in 2015 from the Sons of Italy. In 2020, the Honorable Silvia Chiave, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, knighted Vicky Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy) on behalf of Italian President Sergio Mattarella. This honor is one of Italy’s highest recognitions for Italians abroad and is awarded to those who distinguish themselves through philanthropy, cultural advocacy, research, and strengthening international ties.