Half Italian / half Portuguese. 2nd generation American from the east coast. I studied arts as an undergrad (mixed media, interactive). When I graduated, tech was experiencing its first boom. I moved to NYC to become a builder for this new kind of architecture, excited to discover all the creative opportunities that it made possible. Since then, I've been lucky enough to work on products that help people connect and create-- from an early social network (ASMALLWORLD), to automagical video creation (Animoto), to bespoke quizzes and games (BuzzFeed). Along the way, I found my passion for volunteering -- I spent many years teaching kids how to build robots with Legos and design their own video games. I was also an organizer for an arts festival called Creative Tech Week.

A few years ago I relocated to Seattle to work at AWS (Amazon) and now Microsoft. After living in a frenzied metropolis for so long, I've been enjoying the outdoorsy lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest. Since moving here, I've gotten into backpacking, climbing and kayaking. I've also been cooking a lot more and learning a whole new set of skills as a first-time homeowner.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I caught the travel bug early, visiting family in Italy and Australia as a kid. I love exploring new places and immersing myself in a different culture. I also love sharing my experience as a local and helping other travelers get the most out of their journey. I was an early member of Couchsurfing and the platform is still one of the best ways to build meaningful connections in the real world! Although I haven't been particularly active in recent years, I become close friends with one of my first Couchsurfing guests -- eventually becoming best man at his wedding and the godfather to his first child :) It's a remarkable success story and I'm looking forward to making new friendships in this incredible community!

Interests

Eating good food! Discovering new music and seeing bands play live. Seeing art and finding opportunities to be creative. Hitting the trail on day hikes and backpacking trips. Taking my electric bike or longboard for a ride. Lake padding on my folding kayak. Volunteering at a local community garden or food bank. Practicing Italian at language meetups. Planning my next trip...

• design
• photography
• festivals
• salsa dancing
• dining
• cooking
• drinking
• technology
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• kayaking
• bowling
• language exchange
• volunteering
• art
• mountain biking
• virtual reality
• real estate
• robotics
• climing
• foosball
• dinner parties
• maker culture

Music, Movies, and Books

Where to start...? I need to come back to this

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I trekked through the remote jungle in Vietnam to explore and swim through one of the most complex cave systems in the world.

Teach, Learn, Share

The older I get, the more I realize I don't know! That said, I'd be happy to share whatever insights I have about web technology (I'm primarily a self-taught engineer) or leadership (I've managed teams in the past). I'd also love to share itineraries / tips for places I've visited.

I'm looking to improve my Italian conversational skills, so it would be great to practice with anyone who speaks the language. As a new homeowner, I'm also eager to learn about the tricks of the trade.

Given my proximity to so much wilderness in the PNW, I'm keen to share best practices about hiking and backpacking.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Contributing to eating / drinking / transport expenses. Cleaning, washing dishes, doing laundry, etc. Exchanging travel stories.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy

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