SPQR, is an abbreviation for Senatus Populusque Romanus, which means governed by the ancient Roman Republic. It refers to the eternal city of imperial beauty that has not changed in thousands of years. It is not only about the timeless art and architecture by Michelangelo, Bernini and Brunelleschi, or the majesty of the Coliseum, the Roman Baths, the Forum or the Vatican, it is about the charm and charisma of the people. It’s about the food, and the fashion.
Every nuance and scene in Rome is splendid, whether it is a charcuterie and cheese shop, eclectic chocolate, Roman carriages or the pointy nose of Pinocchio, it is all a feast for the senses. Here are some of the photos from my recent trip to Rome. Rome truly is La Grande Bellezza!
Salumi, Formaggi, Prosciutto
Via Condotti, Prada, Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabana
Pinocchio, Big & Small
Piazza di Spagna, Carrozza e Cavallo
The Angel Gabriel, Pantheon
The Pantheon was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa in 25 BC as the Temple to all the Gods of Ancient Rome. The Pantheon became a Christian church in the Byzantine era.
Piazza Barberini, Outdoor Market
Venchi Chocolate Wall
Streets of Rome
All roads lead to Rome, may your journey in 2024 bring you to SPQR for the first or twentieth time, I hope you get there. Buon Anno!
Joanne Spigonardo
Business Development Consultant
Specializing in Sustainability, Higher Education, Career Management, and Public Relations
In her former roles, Joanne served as Senior Associate Director at the Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership (IGEL) at Wharton. Joanne was also part of the Communications Office. She held positions as business manager of the Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists and for the Wharton Alumni Magazine. Joanne also served as the media relations coordinator. When with Alitalia Airlines, Joanne worked as a sales representative.
Joanne graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a BA and later graduated from the Wharton Aresty Institute of Executive Education. She has a strong background in development, management, marketing, and Italian language and culture.
As a Wharton Mentor, she coached new employees on professional development, and is active in Penn’s Grievance panels. Joanne was on the board of governors for the University Club. Joanne is chair of the Delaware County Penn Alumni Interview Program and oversees alumni volunteers. As an alum of Penn and Wharton, and also a parent of two Penn graduates, she is a strong advocate in promoting Penn.
At Wharton IGEL, Joanne had been in partnership with GreenBiz, Sustainable Brands, the Ethical Corporation, Pira Packaging International, Public Relations Society of America, the Green Sports Alliance, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, the Italian Consulate, the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Sonoma County Winegrowers Association, and the Nature Conservancy, as well as, many other NGO and government offices. She has brokered hundreds of corporate relationships for Wharton.
Joanne is the author of her book, White Widow, published on Kindle and Amazon. The book is a fictional novel about 19th-20th Century Italian immigrants. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB
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