IVATI

💥 The Power of Play! 💥

Check out an article I wrote for ‘s January 2026 ! I write about how impactful the use of play is for team building and training.

Play is NOT just for kids; in fact, it is one of the most effective tools for adult learning (especially when work is overwhelming and team morale is low) ☝

I had an amazing time attending SNIC 2026 and teaching my 2-Hour pre-conference session “Presenting With Confidence”! 🗣️

As someone who was professionally trained in public speaking during college (while working for a non-for-profit), I am extremely passionate about people speaking authentically. Although I value how I was trained, I actually speak NOTHING like I was taught. Now, I speak like ME. And guess what? When I started doing that, my speaking career really took off! 📈

I tell everyone “I am by no means a polished speaker”:

1. I talk really fast & my hands move all over the place (let’s blame the Chicago Italian in me) 🤌🏼😆
2. I say “like” too much 🙈
3. I am not scripted in the slightest so I do in fact glance at my slides 👀
4. I sometimes sway side to side when talking, a habit I’ve had since childhood! 🌊

But you know what is the best feedback I get from my audience? “I love listening to you, because I feel like you’re just having a conversation with me”

That’s. The. Point. ☝🏼

Sounding like anyone but myself means nothing if my message isn’t connecting with my audience. I don’t care about being perfect, I care about bringing value to others. 👏🏼

In a world of social media where everything is “picture perfect”, I am focused on building up those around me to be their authentic messy selves. I want others to have the confidence to speak their truth and share their knowledge, without the fear of not being “perfect”.

I received great feedback from my session, and made some amazing connections! Not to mention my favorite moment from the weekend, when asked if my cousin was Taylor Swift LOL (last slide)

Always a great time at SNIC! 🫶🏻

You’ve planned your slides…
You’ve practiced your intro…
But have you thought about how you present yourself before you present?

Find out in “The Art of Presentation, When You Are Presenting”
by Stefanie Giannini of IVATI

Read now in Served!: https://nxtgennetwork.serveddigizine.com/The-art-of-presentation/6/

Today! 😃

I am so excited to be the opening speaker for The School District of Lee County this morning and present a custom keynote, “Letting Go & Leaning In: Embracing Change & Cultivating the Dream Team”! ✨

Sometimes what an organization needs doesn’t fit into a box; that is why everything I do can be customized! 🛠️

Leadership development has never been and will never be “one-size-fits-all” so I am thrilled to provide a value-packed presentation for this amazing group of school nutrition professionals! 👏🏼

As always, I’m so grateful for this opportunity to connect with such a powerful group, especially in such a beautiful place! 🌴

ANC 2025 🤠

Although this isn’t my first rodeo (😉), every ANC leaves me with new ideas, new connections, and most importantly, amazing memories!

This weekend was filled with some memorable moments!

1. As ILSNA’s 24-25 President, I accepted the State Association Excellence Award for Small Division! So proud of my board this year & all the hard work we have put in to slowly but surely grow! 🌱

2. I taught my class on Mental Health in the Workplace. It was an honest and vulnerable way to kick off the conference and with a full class, I was grateful for everyone who gave me the space to be real, and for everyone who shared their own stories with me 🙏🏼

3. I taught my Change Management 101 class & we had some good laughs despite the topic of change being daunting! I appreciate everyone who said they cant wait to take what they learned back to their team! 😊

4. I had so much fun in Texas with my school nutrition friends all in one place! Best people in the world all in one place, what more can one ask for!? ❤️

Every ANC, I reflect on how grateful I am for the relationships and the opportunities this field has brought me 🤗 A major thank you to for another amazing event and for all that they do for their members and our students!