Director Sheila Leavitt’s “Italian connection” goes back to her college days, when she toured the countryside by moped. Though a doctor by training, parenthood revealed other plans soon after graduation. Choosing to homeschool her four children (now ranging in age from 11 to 21), Leavitt became a full-time mother, assuming, among other challenging roles, that of PJP director in 1993.

More recently, after learning Italian, she ventured back to the countryside of her youth, only to return Stateside a homeowner. Interested in parlaying her new-found insights on Italian real estate into gainful employment, Sheila became a licensed realtor and established Italy House Scout, traveling to Italy where she investigates properties on behalf of clients.

“Palazzi Ragazzi” now affords her the opportunity to simultaneously indulge two passions: Italy and her Puddlejump family.