With over 12 years of experience in the realm of design, President Elisabetta DiStefano founded, Risa Associates. A multi-disciplined design and consulting firm with an outstanding sense of humor and edge. At Risa Associates, we believe that great design comes from a synergistic connection between us and our clients. It is important to us to establish relational equity so that we can meet our client’s needs with excellence.
- Entrepreneur“It’s not just about ideas, but making ideas happen.”— Scott Belsky (CEO
Legacy is what has propelled me into the woman that I’ve become, a natural born fighter in the midst of a dog-eat-dog world. My father, Gaspare DiStefano, was a small business owner of two custom furniture manufacturing companies. He has taught me to be continuously resilient above all odds.
- Designer“Design is the silent ambassador of your brand.” ―Paul Rand
Elisabetta’s educational background is somewhat unconventional. She began her studies at SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan (New York, NY) completing a B.F.A. in Graphic Design in 2008. She continued her studies at Pratt Institute graduating with a double M.S. degree (one in Packaging Design and the other in City & Regional Planning from the Architecture School).
- Urban Planner“Make a commitment to serve the needs of the ‘least of these’ and give voice to the voiceless.” ― Artika Tyner
Elisabetta has applied design thinking to community, youth, and economic development to positively impact marginalized urban communities. As a skilled communicator, she can maintain cultural sensitivity, establish rapport with members of diverse groups (constituents, city, state, federal, local community-based organizations and faith-based organizations), and promote team cohesiveness.
- Writer”Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”—Benjamin Franklin
Elisabetta (also known as Leeza to many) is a dreamer with an ambidextrous mind. While the right-brain permits her to express her giftings in the arts, her left-brain mathematically and analytically defaults to problem-solving. From a high school English class, Leeza had expressed interest in writing especially, poetry.

