An Eyewear Company, a College, and 25,000 Facemasks

Alessandro Lanaro
Listen

Alessandro Lanaro P’22 has given his time, wisdom, and expertise to Babson students, faculty, and staff. Now, in a time of need, he has provided a much-needed helping hand.

The Babson parent and his family donated 25,000 facemasks to the College—an invaluable in-kind show of support during these unprecedented times.

It’s an action born out of a true “entrepreneurial spirit,” he says, that also helped pivot his company this spring.

Realize, Act, and Do

As founder and CEO of MODO Eyewear, Lanaro faced an unenviable but obvious choice for an entrepreneurial leader like himself. With the pandemic wreaking havoc on industry, he could sit back and watch his distributors continue to shutter their doors, or he could take action on the social and economic opportunity at hand. Lanaro acted.

“We’ve been an eyewear company since 1991. Now,” he said, enthusiastically, “we’re also selling PPE materials.”

MODO, known in the eyewear industry to be a driving force in social responsibility, produces frames with recycled or natural material, plants trees for every pair sold, and helps children around the world receive free and sight-saving eye care through a key partnership with the Seva Foundation.

This March, when faced with a lineup of consumers in need of reliable safety equipment, Lanaro pivoted company efforts and secured a new, leading role for MODO in the industry.

One of the first eyewear companies to redirect key manufacturing and focus on personal protective equipment (PPE), MODO quickly provided its customers with the volume of protective resources they would need to reaccelerate business and safely serve those seeking eyewear services.

And, because the shift has proved successful, Lanaro and his family have been able to donate an incredible amount of new inventory to organizations facing similar challenges.

“The world needs entrepreneurial leaders more than ever. The crisis has shown us that,” said President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD. “Community members like Alessandro and his family are the epitome of just that—those who don’t just think, but do. We’re grateful for their generous, entrepreneurial, and much-needed in-kind support, and for all the ways in which they contribute to Babson.”

The Value of In-Kind Support

With entrepreneurial drive, it’s possible to pivot successfully—even under pressure. “For us, it worked out well,” Lanaro said, “and to a point where it will possibly turn into a line of business we can continue.

“To be able to offer this help is particularly rewarding,” he added. “Knowing the times we’re living in, and the monumental challenges institutions are facing … it makes us very happy to make just a little bit of difference.”

No stranger to offering up support in unique and invaluable ways, Lanaro also collaborated with Institute for Social Innovation Executive Director Cheryl Kiser in her MBA course, Leading for Social Value. By taking part in an experiential learning opportunity, he allowed students the chance to pitch real-time solutions to existing corporate challenges.

“It was so fun to meet with these bright MBA students,” Lanaro said. “And, looking back, I got a lot of value out of that exercise myself. There were very interesting solutions to the challenge I proposed, and it was nice to see their point of view.”

He also has served as a guest speaker alongside Professor Lidija Polutnik.

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

More from Entrepreneurial Leadership »

Latest Stories

Warren Buffett
Buffett Retires: Babson Professors Highlight Lessons from a Historic Transition Warren Buffett’s retirement is more than a milestone, Babson thought leaders say. It’s also a masterclass in thoughtful succession and cultural continuity.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
May 30, 2025

Posted in Community, Insights

Zainabou Thiam ’28 sits at a table selling products to waiting customers
Paying Homage to One’s Ancestors Through Entrepreneurship Zainabou Thiam ’28 was raised in the values of Senegal. With the help of Babson, she’s growing her venture, Sunu Body, an African-inspired skin care and wellness brand.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
May 29, 2025

Posted in Entrepreneurial Leadership

The champion tennis players pose for a photo with their trophies alongside their coaches
Repeat Champs: Babson’s Doubles Team Nets Second Tennis National Title Olivia Soffer ’25 and Matia Cristiani ’26 captured their second consecutive NCAA Division III doubles national championship in women’s tennis.
By
May 28, 2025

Posted in Community