Medium

Woman Philanthropists: Viviana Soldano FaBrizio of Amore for Dogs

On How To Leave A Lasting Legacy With A Successful Nonprofit Organization

[as originally published on medium.com]

The contributions of women philanthropists have reshaped communities and catalyzed change, yet their stories often remain untold. Women bring unique perspectives and approaches to philanthropy, using their resources, networks, and influence to address a wide range of global challenges — from education and healthcare to social justice and environmental sustainability. How do these women navigate the complexities of philanthropy to achieve meaningful impact? In this interview series, we are talking to diverse women philanthropists who have initiated impactful projects or led significant charitable endeavors, to share their insights and inspire others to take initiative and help solve pressing global and local issues.

As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Viviana Soldano FaBrizio.

Viviana Soldano FaBrizio is an Italian-born model who began her career working internationally across Europe, Japan, and Canada, following an early introduction to the fashion industry through her father, designer Sergio Soldano. She has appeared in national and international magazines, campaigns, and fitness competitions, including reaching the national level in figure competition. In 2014, she co-founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Amore for Dogs, where she focuses on rehabilitation and the development of her dog sanctuary, which provides long-term care for dogs in need.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Thank you for making time to visit with us about a ‘top of mind’ topic. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?

Iwas born and raised in Genova, Italy, and I grew up in a creative environment because of my father’s work in fashion. Watching my parents work hard and stay committed to what they believed in really shaped me. It showed me that with passion and dedication, anything is possible. At the same time, I’ve always had a deep love for animals, especially dogs. That never changed. Over time, that passion became something much bigger and led me to create Amore for Dogs. Being able to turn something I love into something that helps others has been one of the most meaningful parts of my life.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? We would love to hear a few stories or examples.

Passion, persistence, and compassion. Passion is what started everything. Without it, none of this would exist. Persistence is what keeps you going, especially on the hard days when things don’t go your way. And compassion is at the center of everything we do. You have to really care. This work is not always easy, but if you believe in what you’re doing, you keep going.

What’s the most interesting discovery you’ve made since you started leading your organization?

That people really do want to help. Sometimes they just need to understand the mission first. Once people see what you’re doing and why it matters, they connect to it. That’s been really powerful to see. Something small can grow into something much bigger when people believe in it… READ MORE