Carla Minoli Lappa
Community Pillars
Carla Minoli Lappa is a respected community leader whose sustained commitment to cultural preservation, education, and volunteer service has made a lasting contribution to Ottawa’s Italian-Canadian community and the broader civic landscape. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to strengthening institutions, fostering intergenerational engagement, and building inclusive community connections through purposeful leadership.
Born in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Carla built a distinguished career in the federal Public Service, serving as Employment Equity Coordinator for Communications Canada and later as a Consultant in Training and Development with Industry Canada. She also volunteered extensively, teaching English as a Second Language to Italian immigrants and supporting cultural education through the Dante Alighieri Italian School. These efforts established a foundation of inclusion and cultural integration.
Following retirement, Carla dedicated herself to community leadership with the Associazione Emiliana di Ottawa, where she serves on the Executive and is Vice President. She led the committee that produced Alla Tavola della Nonna, a 300-page bilingual cookbook preserving Emilia-Romagna traditions. The project engaged seniors and youth in documenting cultural heritage through an intergenerational approach that strengthened community bonds.
Carla served three terms as President of St. Anthony’s Parish Council over 16 years, providing governance continuity and organizational leadership. She oversaw seven parish committees and supported major community initiatives, including Remembrance Day ceremonies and the annual Feast of St. Anthony. She also led fundraising and restoration efforts supporting the preservation of the church’s architectural heritage and the artwork of Guido Nincheri.
She further contributed to parish educational programming, most notably the Marriage Preparation Course, which she delivered 21 times, preparing approximately 420 couples for marriage. She also co-chaired landmark publications, A Journey of Faith and Beyond Faith, documenting Italian immigration in Ottawa and the history of St. Anthony’s Parish.
Carla co-founded Carnevale dei Bambini, a major cultural celebration uniting Italian-Canadian families and organizations. She serves as Vice President of the National Congress of Italian Canadians (National Capital District) and has supported initiatives such as Parolissima and the Kidney Foundation of Canada. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Jeannie Prosperine FILO Award for community service.
Her lifelong commitment to cultural preservation, education, and volunteer leadership continues to strengthen Ottawa’s Italian-Canadian community and enrich its civic and cultural fabric.
