Originally from Italy, Flavia lived in many countries before landing in New York where she studied at Columbia University, earning a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature. She has been involved in communications, publishing and marketing for 20 years. As VP of Public Affairs at Rizzoli Corporation she helped launch The Journal of Art and market its publications and bookstores. She was Director of Marketing and Communications at the design firm Vignelli Associates and has been a consultant to architects, designers, publishers, galleries, artists, and businesses on communications and marketing issues.