Carlo RavizzaPresident-Elect
Rotary International
1999 – 2000 Carlo Ravizza was the owner of an architectural firm that bears his name, specializing in the design of industrial complexes and office buildings on an international scale. He also is an industrial and financial consultant to companies in Italy and Switzerland. Born in Milan, he is a graduate of Milan University, where he studied civil engineering.
Mr. Ravizza has been a member of the Board of Italian Engineers Association, a member of the Swiss Engineers and Architects Association and has been twice honored by Germany for his outstanding work in planning public facilities and industrial plants.
Through Rotary, Mr. Ravizza has worked to improve the quality of life of people around the world. In 1996 he led a mission to northern Kenya to chronicle Rotary’s efforts to immunize children in nomadic tribes against polio. The mission is an example of his ongoing leadership for Rotary’s PolioPlus program to help eradicate polio by the year 2000. He was one of the first leaders of Rotary’s World Community Service program to link industrialized nations’ resources to needs in developing countries. From 1986 to 1988 he chaired four Rotary International Conferences for Development – in Bangladesh, France, the Philippines and Zimbabwe. In addition, he has represented Rotary International at world summits addressing major global issues such as housing and hunger.
A Rotarian since 1971, he is a charter member and past president of the Rotary Club of Milano Sud-Ovest, Italy. He has been district governor, an advisory group member, presidential information counselor, and member and chairman of numerous committees. Most recently Mr. Ravizza was chairman of the 1997 International Assembly Committee. He has served Rotary International as a vice president, a director, and as a trustee of The Rotary Foundation. He has received the Citation for Meritorious Service of the Rotary Foundation for his support of its international humanitarian and educational programs, and a Citation for Service to the Foundation’s PolioPlus Campaign.