Isabella Mazzi
I grew up in London and moved to the U.S. in 2023 to join Phillips Academy Andover, where I’m now completing my junior year. I bring an international background - British, Italian, American, Serbian, and technically Canadian - which has shaped my deep curiosity about the world and my drive to make a difference across borders.
My passion for global affairs, community engagement, and making things happen is central to who I am.
My interest in the Roma community began after watching Emir Kusturica’s Hanging House, a film that opened my eyes to the complex realities of this marginalized society in Europe. Captivated by the raw energy and layered storytelling, I became curious about the Roma's place in European society and their ongoing struggles as cultural outsiders. This curiosity evolved into action: I spent last summer interning with the Roma Education Fund in Serbia, analyzing NGO strategies and developing policy recommendations. During my time in Belgrade, I also gained a deeper understanding, or more precisely, asked myself deeper questions on prejudice, systemic bias, benevolence, and the nuances of meaningful advocacy.
Back in Boston, I’ve continued this work—organizing awareness workshops at Andover and collaborating with Harvard’s Roma program at the FXB Center. I’m now focusing on Female Roma Entrepreneurs and preparing for another research trip to Belgrade in the summer of 2025, with the goal of building a digital archive to preserve their stories, and develop deeper insights on success factors for entrepreneurs in marginalized societies.
Technology and its social impact are also areas of deep interest for me. Last summer, at a medical device company, I helped with a project involving AI use cases for competitive strategy. I took a particular intrest in the rise of DeepSeek, writing articles for an Andover publication and presenting to the Andover Business Club about the risks and rewards of AI innovation.
My interest in international development led me to explore opportunities with both my school community and other organizations. At Andover, I am developing a speaker series on Global Challenges. Along these lines, this summer I will be assisting with the planning of The Annual Economist Government Roundtable in Greece, a global conference where policymakers, business leaders, and thinkers will discuss Europe’s future amid geopolitical, technological, and economic uncertainty. The theme—“Walking Steadily Across a Tightrope of Uncertainty”—frames conversations on foreign policy, energy, AI, sustainability, and more. I am looking forward to attending the conference.
At Philips Andover, I hold leadership positions such as a dorm prefect, an EBI Teaching Assistant and a World Partner. I sit on the Senior boards of student organizations, such as Andover’s Entrepreneurship Club, Public Forum Debate club and Andover Business Club - roles that allow me to build community, support peers, and grow as a leader.
These experiences have taught me that leadership, advocacy, and innovation are rarely easy—but always worth it.
I was introduced to Sherman through a family friend and was immediately captivated by his spirit, the impact of his work across the globe, and his deep commitment to The Trebuchet team. His energy, and the “imagine and make it happen” approach are immensely inspiring. I’m thrilled to be joining The Trebuchet and collaborating with such a thoughtful, creative, and driven group of individuals. I can’t wait to contribute and grow alongside the team.