Last week the Italian Cultural Institute of New York opened its doors to the first event of a series of conversations with Italian professionals and creators led by the Italian journalist Maria Teresa Cometto, in collaboration with the Italian consulate. Elena Favilli, a writer, creator and entrepreneur, was the first guest of the series. She attended the event in a casual chic outfit (matching my polka dotted dress) and a smiling face to welcome many journalists and fans who came to celebrate and listen to her success story.

But who’s Elena Favilli? She is joint chief executive, with Francesca Cavallo, of the children’s media company Timbuktu Labs, with offices in Santa Monica, Venice, London, New York (although not yet in Italy), and the co-creator of the global best-selling series, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, which has broken records on the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.