About Us
The Journey
Villa Leonetti
From Overlooked to Outstanding
In July 2020, we made a life-changing decision: to buy an old villa right next door to our house in Brallo. For years, it had been just another forgotten relic of the past—an abandoned house that blended into the background. Yawn, right? But then, we had an epiphany: we didn’t have a proper parking space at Rifugio Leonetti. Suddenly, this “meh” old villa wasn’t so boring anymore.
We started looking closer—at its land, its charm, and its incredible potential. Dreams began to form: our perfect retirement haven, a big gathering space for our boys, Avalon and Zaven, and friends from near and far. A place for retreats, a cozy Bed & Breakfast, or maybe even a stylish guesthouse.
And just like that, Villa Leonetti went from overlooked to the centerpiece of our next big adventure. The vision was clear, the work had begun (which is an epic story), and now we’re bringing this villa back to life—stone by stone, dream by dream. Who’s ready to visit?
Our Story
Rhonda and Joe are a dynamic duo with American and Italian citizenship who’ve lived in Europe since 2001 and have called Germany, Italy, and now Switzerland home. Married since 1988, they share a strong work ethic, an insatiable sense of adventure, and a knack for creating meaningful experiences wherever life takes them.
By day, Rhonda is a trailblazer at a Fortune 50 company, designing programs that empower women to rise as leaders. With a career rooted in leadership development and diversity, she’s smashing glass ceilings with every initiative she leads.
Joe, meanwhile, is an international educator with a Ph.D. in Transformational Leadership and a classroom passport that includes stints at top schools in Stuttgart, Milan, and now Zug and Luzern. He’s a master at turning lessons into journeys of discovery, inspiring students to reach for new horizons.
Their sons, Avalon and Zaven, embody their parents’ values. Avalon creates digital magic as an Art Director in Portland, Oregon, while Zaven draws laughs and adventures as a storyboard artist on The Patrick Star Show / SpongeBob SquarePants and works from Milan, Italy.
As proprietors of Villa Leonetti, Rhonda and Joe extend their warmth and passion for hospitality, creating a haven where comfort and connection are always the priority.
For Rhonda and Joe, life is all about creativity, hard work, adventure, and making others feel at home wherever they are.
