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A Phase of Rapid Growth

With Manuela directing the secretariat, IFSO entered a period of great expansion. The administrative
bottlenecks that had limited the society were dismantled, leading to measurable organizational
advances and prosperity.
• Membership Expansion: Regions that had previously operated in isolation were brought into
the federation, and new societies officially joined the global network, resulting in a rapid
increase in National Society membership.
• Revenue Growth: Standardized fee collection, transparent financial reporting, and expertly
negotiated corporate partnerships resulted in significant and sustained growth in revenue.
• Institutional Milestones: This period of financial and operational stability allowed IFSO to launch
large data-driven initiatives, most notably the IFSO Global Registry, which grew to encompass
data that ethically aggregated hundreds of thousands of procedures globally.

The Kelvin Higa Presidency: Recognizing Excellence

The true depth of Manuela’s impact was formally recognized during the presidency of Dr. Kelvin
Higa. Dr. Higa, a leader known for his extraordinary vision and ability to unify the global surgical
community, clearly saw that the remarkable achievements of the society were inextricably linked to
Manuela’s tireless dedication.

Understanding that the scope of her work had far surpassed the traditional duties of a secretary,
President Higa made the strategic decision to promote her to the role of IFSO Chief Operating
Officer (COO). This promotion was not merely an acknowledgment of her past contributions; it was
a forward-looking move to permanently secure the federation’s financial and operational future.

Expanding the Secretariat Team

As IFSO’s global footprint and digital presence grew, it became clear that the secretariat needed to
expand to meet the evolving demands of a modern medical society.

In 2017, the team welcomed Stefanie D’Arco, who took on the vital roles of Membership Liaison and
Digital Education Coordinator. Her addition ensured that the rapidly growing roster of national
societies and individual members received dedicated support, while also spearheading IFSO’s push
into digital educational platforms.
More recently, in 2025, the team expanded again with the addition of Ludovica Longobardo. Taking
charge of social media and graphic design, Ludovica has been instrumental in modernizing the
federation’s visual identity and ensuring that IFSO’s communications reach and engage a broader
global audience.

Stefanie D'Arco Ludovica Longobardo
IFSO Membership Liaison and IFSO Social Media Manager
Digital Education Coordinator and Graphic Designer

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