MEET Gina Lizzo

As the youngest managing editor in the history of Main Line Today, Gina Lizzo is often underestimated. Yet as she faces the universal challenges women encounter in the workplace, she exemplifies grace under pressure, bringing energy, joy and wisdom to all she does.

Catch Gina's spirit and discover life insights beyond her years in this interview with our newest Real Woman of REALM.

First impressions are memorable. My first encounter with Gina Lizzo was unexpected. It was a lovely moment that bloomed into a wonderful friendship and a fulfilling collaboration.

Gina is wise beyond her years, and I would like to think that she finds that I am young beyond mine. She is 27 and I am 71, but friendship has no age barriers. We meet in the middle and learn from each other, while sharing our life experiences through the heartfelt stories we tell. 

As the youngest managing editor of Main Line Today and The Hunt magazines (a truly amazing accomplishment she achieved at the age of 24), Gina exemplifies grace under pressure, facing the universal challenges women encounter in the workplace, which are only heightened by her young age, with confidence and determination. Her focus is palpable; her presence radiates strength and authenticity. Not to mention her boundless energy, which is contagious! She brings a sense of joy which enriches both our professional collaborations and our personal friendship.

Gina's journey is characterized by remarkable resilience, a quality unique for her age, which she credits to the loving, supportive circle of women and mentors she has welcomed into her life. She understands her narrative is still unfolding. Embracing learning from others' experiences is the key to her success and the foundation of the stories she tells. 

I am so honored to be a part of Gina’s beautiful story and proud to share its unfolding with you. Introducing our newest RWR Gina Lizzo.

Ann King Lagos
Founder + Designer
REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry

ABOVE: Gina Lizzo (wearing REALM's Soirée Pavé statement earrings) with Ann King Lagos.
BANNER: Gina wears Spirit Pavé Cuff bracelets with the Spirit Python ring and Portrait Hoop earrings.
ANN + GINA's clothing courtesy Posh Collections, Malvern PA

 

Q + A with Gina Lizzo

What do you do for work?
I am the managing editor of both Main Line Today and The Hunt magazines, and I’m the youngest to hold that position!

Each day, I can be found interviewing community members and writing articles for the magazine to share their stories, coordinating photo shoots, managing our other editors, assisting with the planning of our covers and upcoming lineups, getting our issues ready to send to the printer, and much more. Every day is different.

for play?
I was a Division I college golfer, and I still play casually, but I’ve recently caught the pickleball bug. I’m pretty active, and I love to read. I also can never say no to a good reality TV show. 

for others?
Philanthropy has always been something close to my heart, and I’ve been involved with nonprofits since I hosted lemonade stands for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in elementary school.

Now, I’m a board member for Nova and Nadia’s Closet, a charity that provides clothing for babies in local NICUs as well as mental health resources for their families. I’m also heavily involved with Women Golfers Give Back and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 

How did you become a writer?
When I was in 4th grade, one of the homework assignments was to write a 1-2 page short story. Me, being the person I’ve always been, wrote a 43-page chapter book. My teacher, Mrs. Sue Ann DeLorenzo, saw the writer in me. She set me up with a writing specialist, and I would skip recess every day to spend time cultivating my skills and writing stories to send off to local magazines. If she hadn’t noticed that talent, who knows what I would be doing today! 

What are the pros and cons being the youngest person in Main Line Today magazine history to hold the role of managing editor?
The biggest con would be that I’m sometimes underestimated due to my age. There are so many times I arrive for an interview or photoshoot and hear, “I expected you to be much older.” But to be honest, imposter syndrome is something I’ve really never struggled with, as I know I’ve worked so hard to be where I am today and I’ve earned my success.

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of doing the things I’m doing now. I always said I wanted to do “big things.” (Once as a preschooler, I told my grandmother I couldn’t leave the playground because I was a “busy girl.” That must have been subtle foreshadowing!) I think about my younger self a lot, and I do truly feel I’m making her so proud. Getting to do that in a career where I feel so fulfilled and aligned with my purpose is the biggest pro of being the youngest to hold the role! 

Gina at Main Line Today’s annual Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs party.

How do you combine your new ideas with the magazine’s traditional style?
This year, Main Line Today is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and I do feel that the magazine has such a storied legacy in this region. Being the youngest, I’m fortunate to work with a lot of people who have more experience than me that I can learn from. My editor-in-chief, Hobart Rowland, has been in his position for two decades, and I have to credit him so much for teaching me about this industry while also giving me the space and freedom to cultivate my own ideas. He’s never directly said, “No, you can’t do that,” to anything. He either tells me to go for it, or he helps me refocus the concept to make it even better. His leadership has allowed me to play a part in continuing the magazine’s legacy while also contributing my own vision. 

GINA's 3 TIPS FOR UP-AND-COMERS
WANTING TO MAKE YOUR MARK

1. Don’t just network. Connect.
You can throw your business cards at everything that sticks, but that really doesn’t mean anything at the end of the day. You have to connect with people and form genuine relationships. Those honest relationships will be the foundation of your reputation, and you’ll end up being far more memorable to someone you connected with. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to form relationships with other professionals who have gone on to speak my name in rooms I wasn’t in yet and create opportunities for me that I never would have imagined. 

2. Work hard.
It seems simple, but “work-life balance” is such a buzz concept in today’s world. And while your mental wellbeing is so incredibly important, you have to be willing to put the work in that no one else is willing to do. That might mean early mornings and late nights, but I promise you it will all pay off. At 27, I’m really starting to see the benefits of all the hard work I’ve put in since graduating college and starting my career. Years of saying yes to everything I could and putting in the hours has now created a name for myself where I can start to be a little choosier about the events I attend and the meetings I take, but that didn’t come without a lot of hard work!  

3. Determine who is in your theater.
Tracy Davidson, a former news anchor and current well-respected motivational speaker, always talks about this, and it has stuck with me since the first time I heard it. Ask yourself, “Who is in the front row of my theater?” These people should be your biggest fans, the people who are always supporting you and cheering you on. You can also have a second, third, fourth row, and so on, but you should constantly evaluate who is in your theater because your circle directly impacts so many aspects of your life. I’ve had people in my theater who would encourage me to get up on the stage just so they could steal the mic and push me off it! Now, those people aren’t even allowed to tailgate in the parking lot of my theater. I owe so much of my success to my front row. 

You have been interviewed several times. What’s a question you wished you had been asked?
People ask me a lot about the success I’ve been fortunate to achieve, but no one asks about the people behind the scenes who have helped me make it happen!  

My parents are so deserving of the highest shoutout I could possibly give them. They have wholeheartedly supported every dream of mine since I was a little girl. I always joke that I could have told my parents, “I want to churn butter,” and my dad would have watched hours of YouTube videos on churning butter, and my mom would have set me up with the best possible equipment to make me the best butter churner the state of Pennsylvania has even seen! I wouldn’t be anywhere without them. 

I also can’t say enough wonderful things about my fiancé, Ryan Spadin. Your partner is one of the most important choices you will ever make, and I truly don’t think I could have chosen better. He shows me the most gentle, supportive love every day, and so much of what I’m able to do is because I get to have that in my life. I couldn’t be more grateful for him. 

If you could interview anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?
I am so inspired by women in the editorial world. Anna Wintour is the ultimate image of that. I also have a deep admiration of Stellene Volandes, the editor-in-chief of Town & Country magazine (one of my favorites) and only the second woman to hold the role in the magazine’s 177-year history. 

How would you describe your personal style?
I would say my personal style is polished but still has a fun flair. I take a lot of inspiration from Jackie O and Paige DeSorbo. I love the idea of looking powerful but still feminine. 

Why do you love REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry?
I love what REALM stands for. Sure, the pieces are beautiful and so thoughtfully crafted, but they have such a deeper meaning than aesthetics alone. I love that REALM is so intentional, purposeful, and meaningful. It’s not just about beautiful things. It’s about showing up as yourself, acknowledging where you’ve come from, and being open to opportunities ahead.

It’s an honor to represent that as a Real Woman of REALM. 

What are your favorite pieces of REALM jewelry? Favorite REALM collection?
The EMPIRE collection speaks to me the most, representing possibility, promise, and destiny. To me, this means staying open to the opportunities that can come your way, opportunities that are meant to be yours.

The Promise Solitaire Stud in sterling silver is a jewelry box staple and always my go-to for a look that is polished, clean and elegant.

I also love the various Bond Bracelets, because they represent that sense of connection to those around you that is so important to who I am. 

GINA's TOP 3 FAVORITE REALM JEWELRY STYLES

How did you and Ann meet? What kind of connection did you have then? Now? 
I first met Ann at Main Line Today’s Power Women summit in 2023. REALM had a table at the event, and my editor-in-chief’s wife marched me right up to Ann and said, “She’s going on stage! She needs your jewelry!” But to be honest, it feels like I’ve always known Ann. She has such a feminine power about her, and you know that her walk absolutely matches her talk. She embodies everything she represents through REALM. When I’m around Ann, I feel so connected to her strength, her power, and her authenticity. That reflects in everything she does. 

What does it mean to:
#BeYourBestSelf 
#BeYourOwnEmpress 
#ReignThoughtfully
I believe that connection is the foundation for most everything—our careers, our relationships, and the way we move through the world. True connection only happens when you’re rooted in who you are. When you show up as your best self, you create space for authenticity, trust, and mutual respect. To be an empress, you have to own your voice, your values, and your presence, while also elevating and empowering others. To me, that’s exactly what it means to reign thoughtfully: leading with intention, self-awareness, and grace, without ever shrinking who you are. 

CONNECT WITH GINA

Gina Lizzo
Managing Editor • Main Line Today + The Hunt 
Email: glizzo@mainlinetoday.com
Social: @ginalizzo_ on Instagram
Website: mainlinetoday.com