New York City – What happens when Italian high school students walk into one of the most iconic eyewear companies in America? You get the Future Leaders Program—an inspiring, eight-week journey that brought together students from the Scuola d’Italia “Guglielmo Marconi” and top executives from LensCrafters, part of the global EssilorLuxottica group.
Inside the company’s New York offices, the students didn’t just observe—they jumped right into the action. Divided into teams, they worked on a real business challenge, developing strategies and pitching their ideas to company leadership. Along the way, they got hands-on experience with marketing, HR, and finance, and had the chance to learn directly from industry professionals.
“This wasn’t a school project—it was real,” said Alfonso Cerullo, President of LensCrafters and creator of the program. “And the way these kids stepped up? It blew us away.”
Cerullo, who was born in Naples and built his career in the U.S., shared the deeper purpose behind the initiative: “At a certain point, you want to give back. You want to share what you’ve learned. This was my way of doing that.”
The final day was especially powerful. Each team presented their business plan to LensCrafters’ executive team—professionally, clearly, and with confidence beyond their years. “They spoke about ROI, strategy, brand positioning. And they meant it,” Cerullo added. “It wasn’t just impressive—it was moving.”
The students weren’t the only ones transformed. Several LensCrafters team members flew in from other cities just to be part of the event. “That says a lot about the energy these young people brought,” Cerullo said.
Representing the Scuola d’Italia, High School Coordinator Anthony Martire highlighted how the experience changed the students: “They’re leaving with more than just knowledge—they’re leaving with self-awareness and ambition.”
Will there be a second edition? Cerullo is hopeful, if cautious: “We’re not making any announcements yet—but yes, the dream is to continue. We believe in these young leaders.”
