Maria Galipo was born in the heart of Little Italy, Toronto to Aurelio and Teresa Galipo, Italian Immigrants from Capo D’Orlando, Sicily. Being first generation has given her a unique perspective on life. From a very young age she understood the hardship and sacrifices that her immigrant parents endured and this motivated her to be the best that she could be. She is fluent in Italian and passionate about her Italian heritage.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for business directed her to pursuing an education at Seneca College in Accounting and Marketing. Later, furthering that education as a mature student through Atkinson College in the area of Finance and Italian Studies.
After graduating from York University with a Bachelor of Administrative Studies, she went into the family business and pursued her passion. Sicilian Ice Cream is “Toronto’s Oldest Gelateria”, a business that was started by her late father and his brothers in 1959. Fifty-seven years ago a dream, today a legacy. One that she is so proud to carry on.
Having been born with a scoop in her hand, Maria does not recall a time that she was not involved in the family business. From a very young age she worked in the Café and spent a lot of time alongside her father and hence developed a passion for the dream. After graduating from York she pursued a career in Accounting and later in Marketing and Finance.
In 2009, she was appointed CEO of the Sicilian Group of Companies. An incredibly dynamic business, which primarily consists of manufacturing and distributing ice cream and ice cream desserts to food service establishments, retailers and co-packers. A vibrant Café that is a fully licensed establishment, the Oldest Gelateria in Toronto, and a diversified portfolio of real estate holdings.
For her the appointment was bittersweet, she spearheaded a celebration for the 50th Anniversary, “II Piccolo Immigrante” honoring the founder’s life’s work. Unknown to her at the time it would be the very last day her father attended his beloved Café.
Over the years, she has dedicated herself to continuing the family vision, and she is no stranger to being in front of a camera. Sicilian is often featured with Andrea Trentadue on Chin Radio and Television on the “Festival Italiano di Johnny Lombardi Show”, in addition to being featured on Breakfast Television and CP24. Maria was featured on FOOD FACTORY on an episode showing how Tartufo is made.
The shooting in the Café would have been one of the most difficult challenges she faced. The intense media attention during this tragedy was incredibly overwhelming but she was fiercely determined to get back on track.
For Maria, learning is a lifelong obsession. She has been an active member of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise for over 20 years and a dedicated member of her PAG – an experience which she thoroughly enjoys.
Maria has also donated her time to the Little Italy Business Improvement Association for the past ten years. Most recently as the Treasurer, an experience which she finds incredibly rewarding.