Who We Are
The Little Italy Association of San Diego
The Little Italy Association of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation that was established in 1996 to oversee and expedite the revitalization and beautification of the Little Italy neighborhood in Downtown San Diego. The Association represents the property owners, residents, and businesses of Little Italy.
The Association is the only Little Italy district management corporation of its kind in any neighborhood in the United States. The Association pledges to advocate on behalf of its members’ best interests in the areas of public safety, beautification, promotion, and economic development while preserving the unique cultural resources that exist in our neighborhood.
The Association currently has 26 Board Members that are comprised of property owners, residents, business owners and community-at-large representatives. The Board of Directors meets on the first Tuesday of every month at Our Lady of the Rosary Church Hall; unless otherwise posted. For more detailed information on dates and location, visit the Events Calendar page and if you would like to be added to the Reminder eBlast, please email Chris Gomez at chris@littleitalysd.com. As a reminder, all Board and Committee meetings are open to the general public.
Officers of the Board
Steve Galasso, President
Luke Vinci, Vice President
Lou Palestini, Vice President of Heritage Affairs
Bryan Thompson, Treasurer
Annette Casemero, Secretary
Management Team of the Association
In January 2025, Chris Gomez of New City America, Inc. assumed the role of Chief Executive Administrator for the Little Italy Association. New City America, Inc., a private consulting firm, specializes in the development and management of Business Improvement Districts, Community Benefit Districts, public space initiatives, and neighborhood revitalization projects. The Little Italy Association was founded in 1995 by Marco Li Mandri, alongside local business owners and community leaders, with the mission of revitalizing San Diego’s Little Italy. After serving as Chief Executive Administrator for 30 years, Marco has transitioned to the role of Executive Advisor to the Board, supporting the Association’s leadership as Christopher Gomez steps into his new position.
Christopher Gomez, Chief Executive Administrator
Dominic Li Mandri, Operations Manager
Rosie DeLuca, Financial Manager
Jeri Keiller, Financial Advisor
Nick Angluo, Events Manager
Rikki Gendron, Office Administrator
Marco Li Mandri, Executive Advisor
Laura Li Mandri, Grant & Policy Advisor
Shirley Zawadzki, Executive Administrator
Monica Montes, Administrative Support Manager
Michelle Mercado, Asst. Administrative Support Manager
Organizational Chart
*Amended January 2025