Madelyn Alfano ’80

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Madelyn Alfano is a triple threat when it comes to community contributions, first as a successful business woman, then for her work on behalf of the needy and disabled and finally for her leadership and commitment to professional and civic organizations.

The owner of Maria’s Italian Kitchen Restaurants, Alfano successfully expanded a single restaurant into a chain of 10, now one of the leading privately owned restaurant chains in California, employing 400 people.

Alfano’s civic and philanthropic work, along with her business leadership within the L.A. community, include service to the FD Foundation, committed to research and medical treatment for victims of familial dysautonomia; the Dysautonomia Foundation and its Southern California chapter; Shane’s Inspiration, committed to creating accessible playgrounds at public parks for children with disabilities; the Max Reitzin Memorial Fund, established in memory of Alfano’s late son to benefit handicapped children; the Los Angeles County Education Foundation; and the Los Angeles County Education Foundation Probation Youth Committee. She also sponsors the Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon, the Science Olympiad, the Los Angeles County Science Fair and the Culinary Arts Training Program.

Alfano has served as president of the California Restaurant Association and the National Association of Women Business Owners, where she was inducted into the hall of fame in 2004. She is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, an international network for business leaders. She has been recognized as Restaurateur of the Year with the Elizabeth Burns Lifetime Achievement Award by the California Restaurant Association; the Resilient Life Loyal Award by Delta Delta Delta Sorority; and she was named Woman of the Year by the California State Assembly. The Los Angeles Business Journal also has honored her with the Women Making A Difference Award and has named her one of the Top 50 Business Owners in Los Angeles for eight consecutive years.

Besides her extensive local, national and international involvement, Alfano has supported UCLA, serving as fundraising chair of the UCLA Early Intervention Centers well as a member of the UCLA Campaign Honor Roll and of UCLA’s Women in Philanthropy.

Since earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology, Alfano has contributed time, talent and treasure to building bridges and creating opportunities within our community, and her commitment to programs targeting youth has helped foster a new generation of promise.