With nearly 100 student organizations on campus, Harvard Kennedy School offers students many opportunities to connect with peers who share their interests and backgrounds.
Among them is the Italian Caucus, co-chaired by Carlo Giannone MPP 2026. Originally from Sicily, Italy, Carlo worked as a policy consultant at Boston Consulting Group in the Middle East before coming to HKS. There, he focused on geopolitics, investment, trade, and foreign policy. He is also a frequent newspaper contributor for magazines like IlSole24Ore and Istituto Affari Internazionali in Italy and Harvard and Yale Reviews in the U.S., and he hosts a top-100 Italian podcast on geopolitics and economics, “Finanza, Pizza e Mandolino.”
What is your role in the Italian Caucus?
I serve as co-chair of the Italian Caucus, Harvard European Conference, and Harvard Italian Student Society. These roles have become some of the most meaningful parts of my time here. They have allowed me to meet leaders from across the world, collaborate with passionate classmates, and build friendships that go far beyond campus. Every event, every planning session, and every discussion has broadened my perspective on Italy, Europe, and global policy challenges.
What role has the Italian Caucus played in your student experience? What about the European Conference?
Chairing the Italian Caucus is a source of deep pride for me, reflecting my strong bond with my home country and my commitment to bringing a policy perspective to the broader Harvard Italian community. Together, with other schools at Harvard, we host policy discussions on Italy’s economic and political challenges, invite policymakers and academics to speak, and create opportunities for Italian and non-Italian students to explore the country’s role in Europe and the broader global context.
As for the European Conference, co-leading has been one of the most challenging and rewarding responsibilities of my time at HKS. The process feels like running a small institution: building a 70+ person team, developing a theme that speaks to Europe’s evolving political moment, and inviting speakers who shape debates in various countries, national capitals, and beyond. From coordinating high-level panels on energy security and migration to fundraising to managing a team from multiple schools, the experience pushed me to grow as a leader. But what stays with me most is the sense of purpose—creating a space where students and practitioners can interrogate Europe’s future at a time when those questions matter more than ever.
“At HKS, you are surrounded by individuals who believe deeply in service, inclusion, and purpose. The debates are real, the laughter is constant, and the sense of collective mission is unlike anything I’ve experienced.”
What has been your favorite part of HKS so far?
Everyone says HKS is about the people, and you only truly understand it once you're here. My closest friends—and some of my biggest sources of inspiration—are classmates who challenge my assumptions, support my ideas, and bring joy into the hard moments of graduate school. You cannot fight for the people if you do not stay among the people. At HKS, you are surrounded by individuals who believe deeply in service, inclusion, and purpose. The debates are real, the laughter is constant, and the sense of collective mission is unlike anything I’ve experienced.
What advice do you have for students applying to HKS?
Do not sell a CV—sell a vision. HKS is not a place that rewards perfection; it rewards purpose. Once you arrive, maximize every opportunity. Attend events even when you’re tired. Join groups that feel unfamiliar. Start conversations with people who think differently. Push yourself past the comfortable. Say yes more than you say no.
This is not just a graduate program—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem of ideas, people, and impact. If you’re lucky enough to become part of it, make every moment count.
