About Amelia (ZTastyLife)

Ciao, and benvenuti, welcome! 

I am Amelia Pane Schaffner—a seeker, story lover, artist, and soul traveler. Born in Geneva, raised between Sorrento’s lemon groves and Rome’s layered history, I’ve since wandered through London, Atlanta, and now, I live in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado. 

Mine is a life braided with contrasts: the poetic and the analytical, the ancient and the modern, the slow and the strategic. I think of myself as both a 'poet' and a 'quant': perhaps my Italian roots helped bring the consilience of right and left brain? :) 

Philosophy

Guided by curiosity and a soulful connection to my Italian and Mediterranean roots, through my practices, I invite others to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover life’s simple pleasures. Find my soul and slow travel offerings on my Travel Services page.  

Creative & Soul Pursuits

I am a writer, poet, photographer, certified yoga instructor, and lifelong meditator. My love for food runs deep, rooted in a family of Italian cooks—my parents authored the renowned cookbook Tastes of Southern Italy. I share my culinary adventures on this blog, Z Tasty Life, and on Instagram @ztastylife.eats. My daily reflections on writing, photography, and creativity can be found at @z.tasty.life. 

Cultural & Academic Pursuits

A lifelong student of history and mythology, I have studied ancient Greek, Latin, Eastern philosophies, and the Arts. Fluent in multiple languages, I am an avid reader and researcher with a deep passion for philosophy, poetry, and the wisdom of ancient traditions. 

Personal Life

I share my life with my American husband and our two adult boys. While my family of origin resides in Italy, I visit as often as I can. Nature and the outdoors make me happy.

Professional Journey

With over two decades in strategy consulting, innovation, and academia, I've led global initiatives and co-founded  the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Emory University.  Before then, I was a strategy principal at Accenture, consulting services firm. Currently, as a Partner at Lexicon Strategies, I help clients solve meaningful problems.  I am a summa cum laude graduate of LUISS University, Rome, Italy.