A Global Shift Starts with a Single Educator
One educator. One seat. One powerful opportunity.
This fall, a single U.S.-based educator will be selected to travel to Italy for a once-in-a-lifetime leadership experience. The Compassionate Leadership Italy Cohort is bringing together teachers, professors, and changemakers from around the world to build a new kind of leadership—one grounded in empathy, self-awareness, and shared humanity.
It’s not just a trip. It’s a mission.
What Is the Italy Cohort?
The Compassionate Leadership Italy Cohort is a new initiative by the TramutoPorter Foundation. The program invites leaders from education to gather at Collegio Ghislieri, a historic academic institution in Pavia, Italy, on November 4, 2025.
The goal is simple: train educators to bring compassion-based leadership back to their communities and classrooms.
The experience includes:
- Collaborative workshops
- Real-life case studies
- Cross-cultural conversations
- Exposure to global leadership strategies
The cohort will explore how compassion can be used as a tool—not a buzzword—to guide real decisions and policies in education.
Why This Matters Right Now
Leadership is facing a crisis. Teachers are burned out. Administrators are stretched thin. Students are stressed.
According to the 2024 American Federation of Teachers survey:
- 79% of educators reported frequent job-related stress
- 41% are considering leaving the profession within the next two years
This isn’t just about education—it’s about leadership culture. People are tired of “command and control.” They want leaders who listen, care, and act with purpose.
That’s where compassion comes in.
“We can’t build the future on burnout. We need to grow leaders who know how to care for others—and themselves,” said one Foundation fellow from Maine who attended a previous event.
The Italy Cohort is designed to meet that need. And scale it globally.
Why Italy?
Italy isn’t just scenic. It’s symbolic.
Collegio Ghislieri has trained scholars, scientists, and leaders for over 450 years. The setting offers history, perspective, and a chance to step back from day-to-day stress. It invites people to think bigger. The TramutoPorter Foundation in 2025 established a permanent Compassionate Leadership Scholarship as well as launching a partnership around educating leaders on how to lead with compassion and kindness.
But the real reason? Shared values.
Compassionate leadership isn’t American. It’s human. Educators from Italy, the U.S., and beyond will discover just how much they have in common—even across languages and borders.
Who Gets to Go?
The Fellowship is open by invitation only. Educators involved in the Foundation’s scholarship or training programs are eligible. One will be selected for the trip.
This is not about titles. It’s about potential.
The chosen educator will:
- Join a global conversation
- Develop new leadership tools
- Bring back strategies to share at home
- Represent their school, city, and country
They’ll also become a Compassionate Leadership Ambassador, working with the Foundation to train and inspire others.
What They’ll Learn
The Italy Cohort isn’t a lecture. It’s active learning.
Topics will include:
- Self-compassion for high-stress environments
- Building cultures of care in schools
- Leadership through crisis
- Ethical decision-making
- Mental health support strategies
Workshops will be led by psychologists, educators, and leadership experts. Participants will practice what they learn—then plan how to use it.
“I used to feel like I had to fix everything myself,” said a teacher from a prior Foundation cohort. “Now I lead with better questions. I build teams. I take five minutes to check in with myself. It sounds small, but it changed how I lead.”
That’s the kind of impact the Italy Cohort aims to multiply.
What the Research Says
This isn’t just philosophy. Research supports this shift.
A Stanford study in 2022 found that leaders trained in self-compassion had:
- 50% lower burnout
- 23% better team retention
- 18% stronger performance ratings
And schools that focus on social-emotional learning—an approach rooted in compassion—see:
- 11% increase in academic achievement
- Reduced suspension and dropout rates
(Source: CASEL)
This isn’t a trend. It’s a proven strategy.
The Role of Donato Tramuto
This global initiative comes from years of work led by Donato Tramuto, a healthcare CEO turned leadership advocate. His Foundation has supported thousands of students, educators, and human rights programs worldwide.
He believes in “The Double Bottom Line”—achieving results while also making people feel seen, safe, and supported.
His goal with the Italy Cohort is to build a legacy of leaders who act with clarity and care, not just speed and strength.
What You Can Do Right Now
Even if you’re not going to Italy, you can start leading with compassion today. Here are a few simple steps:
1. Practice Self-Compassion Daily
Take five minutes before work to check in. Ask yourself how you’re feeling. Don’t brush it off.
2. Lead with Listening
When someone shares a problem, don’t rush to fix it. Ask how they’re doing. Let them speak.
3. Build Boundaries
Being available 24/7 helps no one. Say no when needed. Protect your energy.
4. Create Peer Support Spaces
Start a monthly check-in with fellow educators. Keep it honest and judgment-free.
5. Celebrate Small Wins
Notice what’s going well. Share that with others. Keep morale up.
“Real change doesn’t start with new tools—it starts with new habits,” said one Foundation educator. “And those habits begin with compassion.”
The Compassionate Leadership Italy Cohort is more than a program. It’s a blueprint.
A blueprint for stronger schools, healthier teams, and a generation of leaders who lead with heart and action.
Change doesn’t need to be loud. Sometimes, it starts with one teacher in one room—learning to lead a little differently.