Domenico “Mimmo” Parisi is Chair of the International Board of SOS Children’s Villages International, elected in 2025. He brings both lived experience and global leadership in research, innovation, and public policy.
Mimmo was the first child to join the SOS Children’s Village in Ostuni, Italy, where the first home - Casa Mimmo - was named after him. Today, he is a professor and Executive Director of the Data Science program at Mississippi State University. He has led major initiatives advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and has advised two U.S. governors on workforce development and child safeguarding.
Internationally, Mimmo held a cabinet-level position under the Prime Minister of Italy, overseeing a national employment agency with 5,000 staff. He has also worked with the World Food Programme and FAO on strategies addressing poverty, food insecurity, and migration.
As Chair, he is committed to strengthening governance, strategic unity, and the impact of the federation’s work for children and families.
“My journey from growing up in an SOS Children’s Villages home to now serving as Chair of the International Board is a testament to the impact of our work and the promise it holds for every child we serve. Every child deserves to grow in a loving and stable home.” – Domenico Parisi
Governance