Kathleen Fitzsimmons is an American academic and manager with
extensive experience in business and academia, and 25+ years in Italy.
She is professor and director of the BSBA Program at the American
University of Rome, where she has been on the faculty of since 1998,
and has directed the Business Administration program since 2003 and
the Internship Program since 2009. Kathleen received a BA in
Journalism from Duquesne University and an MBA from Harvard Business
School. She is a long-time volunteer with USAGSO, first as a leader
of her daughter's troops (2000-08) and Events Chair of the local
committee (2003-08), then as Chair of USAGSO Rome (2008-11), National
Council Member (2011-14), and most recently as Coordinator of the
European Global Learning Conference hosted two years ago by The
American University of Rome (which has become the home of USAGSO Rome
and site of annual trainings). In recognition of her work in this
latter role, Kathleen was awarded the Thanks Badge at the 2014 ALC
Awards Ceremony.
Kathleen continues to serve the local Rome Girl Scout community as
Training Coordinator, and recently coordinated one of the first
regional "Power Up" trainings. Known at AUR for her student
focus and her #smartchicks hashtag, Kathleen has created a number of
programs to create opportunities for students, including the expanded
Internship Program, the AURA study abroad program, the Emory Honors
Exchange, the AUR Business Club, AUR Campus Girl Scouts (2008-11),
consulting projects with local organizations and the series of
Business Field Studies. Prior to her entering academe, she held
various roles in marketing management with Time Inc. in New York and
Playtex Italia.