Giovanna Cardinalli is the foundress of Familia Victricis, and her often-hidden face is its underlying strength.  Her steadfast reliance on God’s will and her dynamic insight have resulted in a long history of success in a variety of fields, each crucial to the success of St. Catherine’s mission.

Academically, she was the first woman accepted into the renown Great Books curriculum at St. Mary’s College of California, where she double majored in Philosophy and Theology.  She attained two graduate teaching credentials and has an extensive background as an educator with particular success and insight in addressing the unique needs of children from challenging and divergent circumstances.  This has ranged from rescuing underaged workers from the agricultural fields of California and providing them tools for a better life to the rescue and assistance operations she is involved in today.  It also involves raising her autistic daughter, AnnaMaria, to the accomplishments she has achieved.

Additionally and surprisingly, Giovanna a brings a long history of success in business management in the entertainment, real estate, and service industries to the nonprofit sector, as well as a background as a U.S. government contractor for investigative services and long work as a licensed principal private investigator at D’Angelo Global Solutions.  Her experiences give her unique insight into the precise demands of the work of her organization, and her generous heart also makes her an understanding mother to every soul she encounters.  Everyone loves “Mamma Giovanna!”