In 2010, Vincenzo “Enzo” Piscopo suffered a ruptured herniated disc that, following surgery at Emory University Hospital, left him paralyzed from the waist down. While undergoing rehabilitation at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center, he met Father Thomas, a priest from Uganda. The two men had suffered similar injuries, but their treatment journeys were vastly different. Piscopo was flown to the hospital by helicopter; in Uganda, Father Thomas was brought to the hospital in the back of a pick-up truck. Piscopo received extensive treatment from medical specialists; Father Thomas was given the bare minimum of care, spending an entire year in his bed. Eventually a donor would help Father Thomas make it to the Shepherd Center.
Piscopo wanted to do something about such disparities of treatment, so he started Wheels of Happiness, a foundation that supports people with motor disabilities around the world, exemplifying Piscopo’s lifelong dedication to diversity and inclusion. In 2020, he was appointed president and CEO of the United Spinal Association, a nonprofit membership organization that works to improve the quality of life for Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. He also serves on the board of RespectAbility, a nonprofit that works to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so that people with disabilities can participate in all aspects of the community.
Previously, Piscopo worked at Coca-Cola for 25 years in various strategic roles. Born to Italian immigrants in Venezuela, he said his background has helped him see the power of diversity.
“Being a son of immigrants and becoming an immigrant myself in this country made me accept, appreciate, and value people that are different from me,” he said. “It also shaped my adaptability to different environments and the ability to create relationships with people of diverse backgrounds. Being an immigrant … made me discover the power of differences to make our world a better one.”
