64 minute read
CALENDAR: This
The Must List
10 essential events this month
Island Moving Company performs Masterful Movers at The VETS
Through March 27:
Set in 1904, Gem of the Ocean, the first play in legendary playwright August Wilson’s 10play American Century Cycle that dramatizes the African American experience over generations, comes to Providence. TrinityRep.com
March 5 & 6:
Rummage through the racks of vintage finds from over 85 vendors of pre-loved clothes, vinyl, books, furniture, and more at Little City Thrifty’s Vintage Mart at WaterFire Arts Center. LittleCityThrifty.com For a statewide listing of events visit us online! HeyRhody.com
March 8-13:
Broadway stars, on a mission to change the world, find that love unites us all in the hit musical comedy The Prom, coming to the Providence Performing Arts Center in its first national tour. PPACRI.org
Newport’s celebrated corps de ballet, Island Moving Company, comes to The VETS for the gala performance Masterful Movers, featuring a collaboration with RI Civic Choral & Orchestra of 70 choral voices and a live orchestra. IslandMovingCo.org
March 11: March 17:
Learn to chop, dice, mince, and slice like a pro using your own six- or eight-inch chef knife at My Chef Lara’s Knife Skills Class at Stock Culinary Goods. MyChefLara.com
March 19:
Don your best red outfit and head to Federal Hill to celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph by tucking into a delicious and decadent zeppole from every bakery along Atwells Avenue. VisitRhodeIsland.com
March 19
Lace up your running shoes for the Providence leg of the Tour De Patrick, a three-part 5K race series through the state, that kicks o at the State House. TourDePatrick.com
March 17-April 10:
Sophocles’ classic play about power, morality, and fate is given a magical realism makeover, exploring themes of latinidad and gender in Shey Rivera Rios’ AntigonX, at the Wilbury Theatre Group. WilburyGroup.org
March 20-21:
Learn to distinguish mammal skulls – from bears to big cats, otters to skunks, as well as more exotic specimens – at Skulls from Near and Far at the RWP Natural History Museum. ProvidenceRI.gov
March 31:
The Brian Jonestown Massacre descends on the Columbus Theatre with their glorious blend of garage, shoegaze, and psychedelia – a show that’s sure to deliver on all your rock and roll needs. ColumbusTheatre.com
“Shooting in Rhode Island was pretty simple for me,” says Manny Pérez, a prolific actor and veteran filmmaker. Pérez is talking about La Soga Salvation, a feature-length action movie he wrote, directed, and starred in – and was filmed almost entirely in greater Providence. “I would say 80 percent of the locations were houses of my family. Friends would loan me their places when we’d shoot.”
Pérez was born in the Dominican Republic, but he moved to South Providence when he was young. He attended Central High School and spent eight formative years in the city. Although Pérez is now based in New York and LA, he regularly visits relatives in the area. La Soga Salvation is actually a sequel to his first feature, simply called La Soga, which he filmed in the Dominican Republic. La Soga follows the exploits of its hard-nosed protagonist, a bearded killer who just wants to live a life of quiet obscurity.
The new film, which first screened locally on January 28 at the Providence Place Cinemas 16 and IMAX, is a case study in smart indie movie production: Pérez brought in only a handful of professional crew members, including a script supervisor and director of photography. Otherwise, he employed locals, most of whom had never worked on a movie before. Crewmembers often doubled as extras. Pérez easily secured permits in Pawtucket and Fall River, where local governments eagerly encouraged the project. Police cordoned o streets to ensure privacy.
“People were just so happy we were filming in their town,” says Pérez.
Shooting started on January 1, 2020. The project wrapped 15 days later. The film screened at the Toronto International Film Festival to packed crowds. This month, you can stream La Soga almost anywhere in the world.
In other words, this is what happens for filmmakers when everything goes right. If you want to make a movie in Rhode Island, Pérez’s recipe is worth following.
But it’s certainly not the only way. Rhode Island is a ripe backdrop for filmmaking, and more and more out-of-town directors are combing through the Ocean State for locations. What’s more, our homegrown talent pool gets bigger each year. The demand for film and video has never been stronger, nor has the accessibility of equipment and training. With such a dynamic landscape, Rhode Island is a boon for independent filmmakers of all levels and genres – and the local industry should only expand from here. La Soga Salvation filmed around Providence and Pawtucket
Photo by OGM Photography, courtesy of Manny Pérez
A still from La Soga Salvation
Movies Filmed in Providence
CITY LANDMARKS THAT HAVE MADE IT TO THE BIG SCREEN
By Julie Tremaine, with updates by Casey Williams
BROWN UNIVERSITY
Remember that time Fred Durst directed a movie? Neither does anyone else – but he did, and he did it in Providence. Portions of The Education of Charlie Banks, starring a preZombieland Jesse Eisenberg, were filmed on the Brown campus.
BROADWAY
Seven Stars’ Broadway location was transformed into a bookstore cafe for November Criminals, starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Catherine Keener, and that guy from the kids-with-cancer-fall-in-love movie and West Side Story that all the tweens adore.
DOWNTOWN
Providence proves to be incredibly friendly to directors who have shoe-string budgets. Rob Schulbaum, writer and director of The Wrong Todd, filmed the entire movie in Downtown, creating a comedy with a sci-fi twist featuring our city skyline! Winning the Best Indie Feature of 2020 doesn’t hurt either. Bleed For This, about Rhode Island’s own boxing champ Vinny Pazienza, was filmed at the Dunk.
HOPE HIGH SCHOOL
Underdog, the Rocky and Bullwinkle o shoot that nobody ever asked for, filmed at Hope High School and brought along Jim Belushi, Patrick Warburton, and Tyrion Lannister himself, Peter Dinklage.
HOPE STREET
Broadway’s Seven Stars isn’t the only one to have its 15 minutes of fame. The Steve Carell dramedy Dan in Real Life takes place mainly on Aquidneck Island, but the opening scene was filmed at Seven Stars Bakery on Hope Street. The real comedy in that movie? The idea that Dane Cook could ever land a classy French lady like Juliet Binoche.
INDUSTRIAL TRUST BUILDING (SUPERMAN BUILDING)
A film based on the Bonded Vault Heist in 1975? How could it not be filmed in Rhode Island! Vault was directed by Tom DeNucci, a former resident of Cranston. No stranger to the city, DeNucci used the Industrial Trust Building, or as many know it as “The Superman Building,” for a large portion of Vault’s shots.
ATWELLS AVE + LASALLE ACADEMY
Twenty-nine years after the original’s release, Hocus Pocus 2 recently wrapped filming all around Rhode Island. The Sanderson sisters along with their actors – Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy – were spotted filming at Lasalle Academy and on Federal Hill. Here’s hoping the witches don’t throw out some dangerous curses into the city.
OAK HILL
While Jack Black’s The Polka King filmed all over greater Providence, including at the State House and Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, we’re happy that Pawtucket’s Modern Diner finally got the spotlight it deserves.
PROVIDENCE + PAWTUCKET
While no exact location has been given, the sequel to La Soga is back and filmed around Providence and Pawtucket. Manny Perez returns as the former hitman ready to rescue the love of his life by traversing our city and our neighbor to the north.
SOUTH WATER STREET
In a scene from There’s Something About Mary, Ben Stiller and Chris Elliott sit at the bar at The Hot Club, with a full view of the iconic power plant in the background. There’s even a plaque on the wall commemorating the moment. For what it’s worth, they didn’t order beans and franks.
THE STATE HOUSE
In a stunning moment of prescience, The Purge: Election Year predicted the horror show that would become the 2106 election. The movie was filmed in Woonsocket and downtown at the State House.
WAYLAND SQUARE
Infinitely Polar Bear, the indie movie that earned Mark Ru alo a Golden Globe nod, was shot primarily in Wayland Square. Ru alo himself was often spotted walking to work from his East Side apartment and to visit nearby restaurants.
WESTMINSTER STREET
Woody Allen’s Irrational Man, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone, filmed at Loie Fuller, which has unfortunately since closed, and Classic Cafe; both were on the West Side extension of Westminster – though Joaquin was spotted smoking butts outside basically every bar in town.
“Rhode Island is 48 miles long and 40 miles wide, and we have very diverse locations in close proximity,” says Steven Feinberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Film & Television O ce. “That means you could be filming a cityscape in the morning and by noon be in an idyllic forest and water-view setting, and before sunset, standing at the elaborate gilded doors of a beautifully preserved 1800s mansion in Newport.”
Feinberg also notes that Rhode Island was one of the first states in the US to implement a tax incentive, back in 2004. Since then, a steady stream of Hollywood movies has been filmed here in the past few decades. Some of these are classics, like Dumb and Dumber and There’s Something About Mary. Others are beloved indie flicks, like Dan in Real Life and Moonrise Kingdom. Now and again we get a TV series, like Brotherhood and NOS4A2. And at this point, everyone and their mother knows that Hocus Pocus 2 is being filmed in the state, and HBO’s The Gilded Age, shot primarily in Newport, has become a critical darling.
Bragging rights are great, but there are practical bonuses, too: Feinberg says the Film & Television O ce has “brought in about $700 million of film and television production to our Ocean State, and as a result, we have built up a few generations of professional crew and continue to provide opportunities to new and emerging filmmakers. About 75 percent are union and another 25 percent are non-union, who are gaining experience on the smaller shows and learning their craft.”
Feinberg himself worked for 22 years as a writer, director, and producer in Hollywood. When he took on the role of executive director of the Film & Television O ce nearly 18 years ago, he remembered his own humble origins and the state that bred him.
“I wanted to nurture young, independent filmmakers like me,” says Feinberg, “just a kid from the Garden City area in Cranston making movies since I was eight years old with my neighborhood friends, and provide opportunities for these hungry moviemakers to grow and ultimately shine on a national and international scale.”
Steven Feinberg inside the Cranston Street Armory at the beginning stage of building the Christmas-land set for the AMC horror series NOS4A2 starring Zachary Quinto
Image courtesy of State of Rhode Island Film & Television Office
Shot in Newport and now streaming on HBO Max: The Gilded Age
“Film production” is a popular major these days, but each college has its own philosophy. The University of Rhode Island, for example, casts a wide net: students can learn videography, 3D animation, and game design, all of which could lead to careers in an ever-growing industry. This is a common approach, to treat film studies as vocational training, with the latest technology and a sensitivity to commercial trends.
But not always. Perhaps it’s no surprise that the Rhode Island School for Design takes more of a craftsman’s approach to film. For example, students can still learn to use 16mm film, a format that many schools have abandoned. The atmosphere at the Film/Animation/Video department is openly experimental.
“I have loved storytelling ever since I was a kid,” says Ramón Rivera-Moret, an assistant professor of live-action film production at RISD. “Students come to the department as sophomores, and by the time they come, they really have a foundation in visual thinking. The student body is amazing. They’re really thoughtful; they’re really committed to their work.”
In contrast to the fast-paced, bottom-line world of commercial film, Rivera-Moret has the temperament of an artist. Raised in Puerto Rico, he studied film at the University of Paris, where many of his instructors had been involved in the French New Wave, and art-house screenings were a typical night out. Rivera-Moret teaches remotely from his home in New York City, and he is working on his own project, La Dirección del Cielo, about humanity’s relationship with the sky. This kind of high-concept labor of love is exactly the kind of work Rivera-Moret invites his students to attempt.
“At the core,” says Rivera-Moret, “the department is not so much geared towards the industry but is really more about developing critical thinking and an analytical perspective in terms of the medium – and also developing their own sensibility towards moving images and sounds.”
RISD claims some big-name alumni, like Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and Oscar-winning auteur Gus Van Sant. The school attracts students from all over the world, and many of them venture to bigger cities to seek their fortunes. But Rivera-Moret says that some of his students have remained in Providence after graduation and collaborate on original works.
“I know two of them who graduated two years ago,” says Rivera-Moret. “They were telling me that they were working on screenplays together with other recent RISD graduates, and they are producing their short films.”
Which begs the question: should 22-year-old filmmakers, diploma newly in hand, stay in Rhode Island? Or should they first give Hollywood a go?
Emma Stone and Joaquin Phoenix on location for Woody Allen’s Irrational Man
Honorary East Siders while filming Infinitely Polar Bear, Zoe Saldana and Mark Ruffalo
Photos courtesy of RI Film Council Viola Davis, RIC grad and recipient of an Academy Award, Primetime Emmy Award, and two Tony Awards, at the RIFF
Judge Frank Caprio of the nationally syndicated series Caught in Providence (italics) at RIFF Opening Night, PPAC
For Raz Cunningham, the answer is to travel far, make a name for yourself, and come back.
Cunningham spent 10 years in the film industry, working on a dizzying range of projects, from feature films and TV pilots to reality series and documentaries. He traveled widely, following his clients to wherever they were filming. But when his career trajectory took him back to New England, he came home to Rhode Island.
“The reason I live here is because I can,” says Cunningham, who is co-founder of Providence-based LittleFire Media. “I did the work outside of Rhode Island, so the larger projects, companies, and agencies I work with know to find me here – and that’s not something exclusive to me. That can work for anyone, but you do have to put in the time and the work.”
For Cunningham, this is the recipe for success: make your name in the media hubs, move to Rhode Island, and make yourself mobile. COVID notwithstanding, Cunningham can still travel anywhere to work on a set. Meanwhile, many of his clients are local; LittleFire has created content for Roger Williams Zoo, PVDonuts, and the Providence Public Library. Cunningham even produced an exclusive NOS4A2 digital short for AMC. To develop these projects, he can rely on a network of Rhode Island-based professionals.
“For creative talent, we have an actual embarrassment of riches,” says Cunningham. “Within Rhode Island, you can find incredible directors of photography that can cross over between film and corporate video. There are videographers that can color grade on par with some of the best Super Bowl spots you see. The art department in Rhode Island is fantastic. You can crew up a feature here, indie or theatrical.”
“And the community at large is usually open to the idea of being part of a project,” he adds, “whether that’s providing a location, set dressing, logistical resources, whatever – you can find a welcoming community. If you’re good to them, they’ll be good to you.”
Digital filmmaking is now accessible to almost anyone, of course; any teenager with iMovie and a decent phone could make a short film and distribute it globally. But professional resources have also ballooned in the past decade, such as Kay Studios, a 6,700-square-foot soundstage in East Providence. Anyone could rent this warehouse-sized space, film actors against Kay Studios’ sheer green walls, and edit them into whatever location, from the Wild West to the surface of Mars. Such resources empower indie filmmakers and reduce the need for Hollywood infrastructure.
No one knows the technical possibilities better than Andre Correa, a filmmaker born in Brazil who grew up in Pawtucket. When he was young, Correa became passionate about acting and eventually moved to Los Angeles. He studied acting and auditioned widely, building a community of fellow performers.
But as Correa grew interested in cinematography, he started to produce his own projects. He directed and starred in a short drama, Help Wanted, about a veteran with PTSD. He became involved in documentaries, and he even started a YouTube series about camera equipment and filmmaking techniques. Correa returned to Rhode Island in 2019, and the change of scenery refreshed him.
“People who live in Rhode Island – who never left – don’t realize how cinematic it is,” says Correa. “There is a charm here. People have been more open to me here than in Los Angeles. In LA, it’s like, ‘Oh, you’re a filmmaker? I’m a filmmaker. That guy’s a screenwriter.’ Like, everybody is doing it, so they don’t really care. Here it’s more of a novelty. Doors open, because it’s new to people.”
Correa is working on a long-form documentary, which has required travel across the country, and he hopes to produce a narrative feature film, which he intends to make in Rhode Island.
Having worked on both coasts, does he portend a bright future for the local film industry?
Correa smiles. “I’m betting on it.” LittleFIre Media at RWPZoo
Photos courtesy of LittleFire Media
Aidan Laliberte of LittleFire conducting documentary interviews
Leah Kalinoski being filmed by Rob Lee on the set of Lee Visuals’ Mater.
Photo courtesy of Briana Gonsalves
Award-winning team and future Oscar winners, Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton of “The Silent Child” which had its World Premiere at RIIFF The purpose of a movie is to be seen, of course. To reach audiences, thousands of filmmakers first turn to film festivals, which are held in every corner of the globe. Most of us have heard of Sundance and Cannes, but our state is also home to several prominent series: The Providence Children’s Film Festival, the Block Island Film Festival, and Brown University’s Ivy Film Festival, which claims to be the largest student-run festival in the world. The best known of all is Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF), which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in August.
Like filmmaking itself, screening is easier and more versatile than ever before. Auteurs can easily submit digital files to festivals. When COVID permits, they can present their work in local venues, like bars and auditoriums.
One of the region’s more active promoters is Briana Gonsalves, who has hosted several screening series in Providence and is founder of the Dead of Autumn Horror Festival. Gonsalves is a prolific actress herself, and she has collaborated with a vast web of underground filmmakers. The vast majority of movies she has screened were made in Southern New England.
“In my experience with Rhode Island filmmakers, I have noticed that submissions to my showcases are usually either comedies or stories that highlight social issues,” says Gonsalves. “I’ve had many short films in monthly showcases that touch upon homelessness, abuse, suicide, LGBTQA+ struggles, artists’ struggles, lower-middle class struggles, and national tragedies such as 9/11. On the other side of the spectrum, [there are] comedies that help you laugh while trying to get through these crazy times.”
Gonsalves notes that the pandemic has had deleterious effects on cinema at all levels. Movie theaters shuttered during lockdown; screening schedules were staggered; and her own film festival has gone dormant. But many filmmakers have rolled with the punches: virtual screenings still manage to attract audiences, regardless of where they’re watching. Indie film productions persist, using various safety measures to keep their talent safe.
“The finished product on the projects I’ve seen thus far that have been filmed during the pandemic have either been just as good or better than those I’ve seen prior to COVID-19,” says Gonsalves. “People are being extra creative and working extra hard in their endeavors. And it shows.”
Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Family Wealth Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Morgan Stanley
Photography by Lisa Bruno of 64 Degrees Photography
JOANNE DALY cares deeply about her clients and their families. She is dedicated to helping them take control of their financial future. “I am passionate about helping others become financially empowered and make smart well-informed decisions about their money, especially women,” she says. Joanne’s clientele includes individuals, couples, doctors, small business owners, and professors, but many of her clients are women who have become responsible for their financial future after experiencing death of a loved one, divorce, or inheritance of significant wealth.
Joanne knows personally how important it is to be involved in your finances, since her mother became a widow at 45 and her sister went through a divorce after 25 years of marriage. Joanne saw firsthand the emotional and financial challenges they faced, which is why she requires that both spouses participate in their meetings. Joanne strives to ensure that if something happens to one of them, the other will be better prepared to handle their financial a airs on their own. “Of course, I will be there for them, to guide them and advocate for them,” she says, “helping them navigate through the overwhelming paperwork and helping them preserve their wealth so that they can live a comfortable lifestyle.”
As a result of Joanne’s personal experiences, she has truly made it her mission to help her clients become financially informed and engaged in their finances, to help ensure they make smart decisions about their money. “I am their wealth coach, helping them navigate through their financial journey,” Joanne says. “I essentially act as their personal CFO, helping them in many financial aspects of their life and working in collaboration with their attorneys and CPAs to create a holistic wealth plan that incorporates their personal values and goals. I provide customized financial and investment strategies to help them enhance and preserve their wealth so they can achieve what’s most important to them.” Through ongoing financial education, coaching, and planning, her clients feel confident in making informed financial decisions.
Joanne enjoys educating others through financial presentations to civic organizations and companies. She is a frequent guest speaker on various topics, including financial empowerment, wealth planning, and divorce. She has presented at Bryant’s Women Summit, South County Hospital, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), URI Alumni Foundation, and The Rhode Island Society of CPAs, to name a few.
Though Joanne’s o ce is in Providence, she often meets with clients in their home, o ce, the firm’s Newport o ce, or via virtual meetings. Joanne has more than 25 years of financial services experience, was a former CPA Tax Manager for Ernst and Young, and earned an M.S. in taxation from Bryant University. Joanne has attained Morgan Stanley’s Family Wealth Advisor (FWA) designation, which is granted to those financial advisors who have successfully completed an extensive accreditation program focused on the skills needed to help families communicate about money and values, share their goals, and grow and preserve wealth across generations. She is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®.
Outside of work, Joanne is an active volunteer, including being a member of: United Way of RI board, Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England board, South County Health Foundation board (past Investment committee), Christ the King Parish Finance Committee, GFWC Women’s Club of South County, Women United Executive Committee, RI Society of CPAs, and the Estate Planning Council of RI. Joanne lives in Narragansett with her husband and two daughters.
*Morgan Stanley and its Financial Advisors do not provide tax advice. Individuals should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its financial advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field. © 2022 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. NMLS ID:1510426 CRC4211968 01/2022
ALETHEA DUNHAM-CARSON
Assistant Head of School for Teaching & Learning
“My career path has taken me to a variety of educational settings, but my interest has remained consistent: to find ways to increase equity and access in education, allowing all students to have high-quality, engaging, and joyful school experiences,” says Alethea DunhamCarson, new Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning at the GORDON SCHOOL. “I was excited to come to Gordon because of its authenticity and clarity of vision. The e ort to cultivate community, creativity, and human dignity runs through everything we do.”
In her role Alethea makes a direct connection between the school’s mission and the classroom experience. This year that includes leading the Study on Belonging, an initiative assessing Gordon’s diversity, inclusion and equity work that will help inform the next steps in the school’s growth and evolution.
Alethea is passionate about understanding the experiences of and partnering with di erent groups at Gordon—students, families, faculty, sta and leadership. “I am a firm believer in the power of schools to positively transform the lives of the children, families, and communities that they serve.”
45 Maxfield Ave. East Providence • 401-434-3833 GordonSchool.org
VERONICA CINTRON
Owner of White Lotus Spiritual Healing
Veronica Cintron brings a lifelong passion for wellness to WHITE LOTUS SPIRITUAL HEALING, where she practices Integrated Energy Therapy and other healing modalities. A certified IET practitioner and Life Coach, Reiki Master, Intuitive Healer, and Master Herbalist, Veronica uses her calling to help people find balance. “We all have moments when we’re feeling stuck,” she says. “It’s important to bring in a new perspective or receive an energetic alignment to allow things to flow better in our minds and hearts.”
100 Lafayette Street, Ste 303, Pawtucket 401-415-0789 • WhiteLotusSpiritualHealing.com
From left to right: Jennifer Sunderland, Amanda Csigay, Adeliz Rodriguez, Yanis Rodriguez, and Becky Phelps
The women of BLACKSTONE GROUP LEASING & MANAGEMENT not only make up a key component of the team but have also played a huge role in the company’s growth and expansion in coverage area and scope of services. With a unique investor-focused mindset, Blackstone o ers full-service property management including but not limited to property marketing, tenant screening, financial reporting, and other valuable services for property owners.
“We want the best for our clients and tenants in every circumstance,” says property manager Amanda Csigay who started working for Blackstone in 2018. “We advise our clients with up-to-date, legally backed information so they can make the best decisions for their investments.” A senior property manager Adeliz Rodriguez has climbed the ranks and now manages two of the largest portfolios at Blackstone, building strong relationships with each of her clients along the way. As assistant property manager and Blackstone’s legal coordinator, Rebecca Phelps uses the empathy and patience cultivated through an education in social work to ensure a smooth rent collection process. “There is a lot of financial help for tenants in Rhode Island currently, so I also assist with that process,” says Rebecca.
On the accounting end of Blackstone, Jennifer Sunderland, director of accounting, draws on past property and business management experience to lead her department in the fast-paced environment through each new challenge. “I am a big fan of complicated problems and this position allowed me to create company policies that help streamline accounting processes for a growing company,” says Jennifer. Accounting assistant Yanis Rodriguez shares Jennifer’s interest and skill in problem-solving, providing support and monitoring payable and receivable accounts.
Each member of the team brings di erent skills and experiences to the company, creating a blend of unique perspectives. “I feel appreciated and encouraged every day to give the best of myself,” says Adeliz. “As a woman, it can be hard to have a voice, but I’ve never felt that in Blackstone. Every time I suggest an idea, my opinion is heard and respected.”
15 Circle Street, Rumford. 401-223-2838 • BlackstoneRI.com
Professional Painter
ARTISTIC LIFE Born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, EVELINE LUPPI has led a dual life between the contemporary art scenes in New York City and Rhode Island. She studied for several years at the Art Students League in Manhattan, where her mentors and instructors were Knox Martin, Larry Poons, and William Scharf, all nationally acclaimed artists. She developed her iconic style amid Manhattan’s flurry of artistic activity in the 1990s and early 2000s. “I found myself in the middle of the creative ferment as part of the contemporary art scene and evolved my present geometric and digital styles,” she recalls of her time spent in the artistic community there.
She has since exhibited widely, earning awards such as the J. Banigan Sullivan’s Award at the Providence Art Club and the Felicia Meyer Scholarship Award from the Art Students League of New York. Her work has been reviewed in numerous magazines by prominent art writers and critics.
“My art grew out of and is deeply grounded in the Rhode Island experience of landscape, ocean, and rivers,” Eveline explains. “I am a professional painter always immersed in creative reverie and exploration, as well as the pragmatic and often mundane workshop tools and techniques needed to realize my art.” It’s a deep sense of immersion she brings to her daily life: “A permanent exploration, a permanent discovery leading to unexpected results. Quite simply, that is why I love it.”
FROM ABSTRACT TO DIGITAL Displayed online for easy viewing, you can witness the progression of Eveline’s artistic body of work through the years, tracing her evocative perspectives of the world around her in technical yet emotional use of space. “My work includes abstract, iconic, and digital styles,” she says. “Lately, my art is aligned with and has grown into the tremendous explosion of activities in the digital art field, including new trends in virtual reality and blockchain NFTs,” or non-fungible tokens – one-of-akind encrypted digital assets valued for their authenticity.
If you click through Eveline’s archive, you’ll also find her iconic Musicians series of acrylic paintings featuring, for instance, a study of Aretha Franklin in her red hat singing at President Obama’s inauguration, as well as other early abstract work like “‘Red Cardinal,’ with the explosive red bird head against a garden of white flowers,” she describes. Additional series like Treehouses and Sea Marks further demonstrate her Rhode Island scenic influences, depicted in stripped down, colorful renderings, and geometric interpretations.
IN THE COMMUNITY A teacher and a former gallery owner in addition to professional painter, Eveline is deeply involved in the local scene as a champion for others’ artistic pursuits, as well as online in Facebook and Instagram communities. She is a full member of the Pawtucket Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, which works for the mayor to oversee and encourage the city’s art landscape, and she has close relationships with galleries in Manhattan and Cape Cod, as well as the Providence Art Club gallery.
This month, Eveline opens a solo show at Sprout Galleries in Providence and Warren, displaying a full retrospective of her career for the public to view a lifetime’s worth of her creative achievements. “It’s a perspective on my life as an artist, full of the color, line, movement, humorous and serious pieces, that express what I enjoy and love,” she says. “In the end, what I care about is the viewers’ engagement with the human connection in my art, expressing my enjoyment of the world and my outreach to everyone else.”
DEBRA L’HEUREUX Certified Matchmaker
310 Maple Avenue Suite L05-A, Barrington, 401-289-0900 GetReadytoDate.com “I’m in love, I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it,” says the character Buddy in the delightful 2003 movie Elf. It’s a joyous moment in the film and the impression one gets from the radiating smile of Debra L’Heureux. “I was hit by Cupid’s arrow at 49 and found the love of my life,” she beams. This profound feeling caused Debra to leave her longtime job in academia to become a matchmaker and start a company which she named GET READY TO DATE.
Along with a knack for connecting people, Debra has solid creds – she received her certification from the Matchmaking Institute and is a graduate of the Relationship Coaching Institute. On her Get Ready to Date website she keeps a blog and a Dear Debra page with the kinds of dating do’s and don’ts you don’t get from an app.
“My clients say I have a discerning and passionate heart and am a consummate romantic. I possess the tenacious resolve of a headhunter to introduce clients to their next great love,” she says. Debra’s process begins with a complimentary consultation. “I create what I call a second chance for love blueprint. I interview clients who have decided that finding love is a top priority in their life. I comb New England to find quality matches that clients would not find on their own.”
While nothing gives this matchmaker more joy than finding new love for widows, she works with any clients over 40 and the demand for her services is clear, as many singles looking for love have visited her Barrington office. “It’s never too late to dream a new dream and have the courage to love again,” says Debra before citing a favorite quote: “If it’s not mad passionate love, it’s a waste of time. There are too many mediocre things in life and love should not be one of them!”
SARAH GWIZDOWSKI
Owner of RI Cruisin’ Cocktails After several years spent with a shaker behind the bar in Providence’s nightlife scene, Sarah Gwizdowski had a vision for a new way to serve craft cocktails. “Every bartender dreams of opening their own bar one day, but I wanted to do something a little di erent,” says Sarah, who set out to create something fun and free-spirited – and mobile – with her new venture. She found a vintage 1961 Shasta trailer, dubbed her Marigold, and the rest is history. Sarah and Marigold took to the road in the summer of 2019 as RI CRUISIN’ COCKTAILS, a mobile bar and catering service perfect for private parties, weddings, and events. Gigs started trickling in as the business gained recognition, and the fully stocked retro trailer attracted lines of fans around the service window. While the pandemic changed the way events would look for this new business, Sarah spent the summer brightening people’s small socially distanced gatherings with refreshing drinks, and winter saw pop-
ups at Blithewold Mansion armed with hot toddies to accompany a festive stroll through the gardens. “I bring the fun!” says Sarah, who greets every customer with a smile – and an artfully garnished bevvie. “It’s fun to get creative while making drinks and cultivating an atmosphere at parties.” And RI Cruisin’ Cocktails gives her the freedom to experiment with her own recipes and enchant drinkers with presentation in colorful glasses and seasonal trappings. Whether it’s birthday streamers or special “his” and “hers” cocktails for a rehearsal dinner, you can expect a tailored experience with a chalkboard in front listing the curated specials. Operating out of Warren food incubator Hope & Main, you can find Marigold at their weekly market this summer, and you can book the Shasta, and new sister trailer Rosie, for weddings and private gatherings as a unique catering option. Sarah looks forward to hitting the road for another summer of 691 Main Street, Warren mixing drinks: “We are happy to help you RICruisinCocktails.com safely host your next outdoor event!”
Board-Certified Dermatologist & Practice Owner
“I love making my patients happy, whether it’s clearing their acne or making them look ten years younger,” says Dr. Caroline Chang, board-certified dermatologist and owner of RHODE ISLAND DERMATOLOGY INSTITUTE. “It’s very gratifying to be able to help people improve their confidence and self-esteem.”
In 2018, after a decade of studying and practicing medicine within the confines of traditional, insurance-based systems, Dr. Chang decided to open her own practice – with a distinct di erence.
REVOLUTIONARY MODEL “We have a close bond with our patients. Our approach allows us to get to know them on a very personal level, and provide the best outcome possible,” says Dr. Chang.
That approach is known as direct pay or direct care, a revolutionary healthcare model removing insurance companies from the equation. Rhode Island Dermatology Institute (RIDI) is the first direct care dermatology practice in the state, and aims to restore and nurture the doctor-patient relationship.
“We provide the highest quality of care to our patients without the barriers of health insurance,” Dr. Chang says, explaining that in the direct care model patients contract medical services directly with their doctor. This means new patients can get seen sooner (within a week or two), appointments are easier to book (online encouraged), no referrals are needed, plus less wait time in the office and more time with the doctor. The office, which can be described as both a medical and spa space, is set up to make your visit streamlined and hassle free.
“Once you try it, you’ll never go back to a traditional o ce model.”
PERSONALIZED CARE “I focus on individualized care for both medical and cosmetic services,” says Dr. Chang. “I always put the patient first.”
Dr. Chang addresses every kind of medical concern from skin cancer screening, acne, eczema, and psoriasis to hair loss and rashes. She also offers cosmetic treatments like Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, laser hair removal, laser skin rejuvenation, and even skin care products.
“It’s very important that patients choose board certified dermatologists for all procedures,” Dr. Chang says, explaining that she examines her patients’ skin at every appointment. “I’ve had a number of patients see me for cosmetic procedures in which I have spotted skin cancer. I am on the frontline of my patients’ health, providing comprehensive evaluations and offering the very best care of their skin.”
But Dr. Chang’s quality of care and o ce model aren’t the only things that set her and her practice apart – she also brings a unique background and artistic approach.
EXTENSIVE EDUCATION An art enthusiast with a dedication for science-based medicine, Dr. Chang has a unique academic and medically trained background. “I apply my extensive background in both art history and dermatology to provide the highest quality care to all my patients.”
Dr. Chang graduated from Princeton University with a BA in Art and Archaeology. She spent two years conducting melanoma research at New York University Medical Center, where she established a comprehensive patient database used in studies to define the risk factors for and behavior of melanoma. After earning her MD from the NYU School of Medicine, she pursued her residency at Tufts Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident and trained in dermoscopy, a non-invasive technique that allows for better visualization of the skin’s surface. Today, as an associate sta member at Rhode Island Hospital, Dr. Chang has over a decade of experience with providing customized care in both medical and cosmetic dermatology.
“I’m excited to continue offering the most innovative treatments, as well as providing the best evidence-based procedures,” says Dr. Chang of her hopes for this year. ‘It’s been a dream to not only own my own business, but also treat patients in a truly personalized and meaningful way.”
5586 Post Road, Suite 6, East Greenwich. 398-2500, RIDermInstitute.com
FABIOLA BRUNACHE
Licensed Real Estate Broker & Owner
Fabiola Brunache, owner of FAB LIVING REALTY, embodies the saying “be the change you want to see in the world.” After losing her father when she was 29, she moved to Rhode Island for a fresh start.
That also meant a fresh career. Curious about real estate, she got her license. “At first, I was attracted to the income potential, but the more I learned, the more I understood the impact it had in creating generational wealth.” Armed with this knowledge, she took it into the community, teaching clients about the importance of home ownership. “The people I help are proud to pass something on to their children other than debt,” she says.
When Fabiola became a real estate trainer, she had an “a-ha” moment: why not open her own brokerage? Now Fabiola owns the only Black-owned real estate and brokerage school in the state. “We are not just realtors. We care about our community,” she says, spearheading initiatives like Care Bag for the Homeless, which distributes toiletries and hygiene products to the housing insecure.
272 Broadway, Providence 401-648-2999 fablivingrealty.com
LORRAINE SENA
Manager
Lorraine Sena is the proud manager of THE BUCKET NUTRITION as of last year, though her journey began as a child of immigrant parents, helping her dad with the family business. Armed with a degree in communications and a career in healthcare, Lorraine learned the needs of her Pawtucket community. Along with conquering her own weight loss goals, she shares, “I love helping people feel good about themselves and be their best self! There is nothing better than that.”
863 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket. 401-362-9547 • @thebucketnutrition
MELISSA SHAW
Owner
401-419-5163 ShawSearch.com Melissa is owner and founder of SHAW SEARCH PARTNERS, a recruitment consulting firm focused on the hiring of marketing, creative, and strategy talent within the consumer goods, retail, ecommerce, and healthcare industries nationwide and globally. Melissa is the recipient of the Business Women Awards “Woman to Watch” award by Providence Business News. With a focus on national and global opportunities, her company is known for recruiting diverse, highlevel, and executive candidates, and competes with some of the nation’s leading recruitment agencies.
“I launched Shaw Search Partners in 2010 with a belief that there was a need for a recruiter to have a vested interest in the business, culture, and environment of the client’s company, in addition to the job specifications,” says Melissa, who had been working in the industry since 2001 when she decided to leave corporate recruiting to start her own business. “I started with one client and have worked tirelessly to organically, and single-handedly, grow the business to where it is today: a nationally recognized firm with numerous clients.”
Melissa is known for her optimism, dedication, work ethic, and honesty, which she brings to the table when she connects with all candidates and clients, from small start-ups to Fortune 4 corporations and everything in between. When she reflects on her success, Melissa credits watching her dad pave his way as an entrepreneur for teaching her the true tenets of hard work and perseverance: “Doing so has allowed me to start, grow, and run a successful Rhode Island-based business.”
While Shaw Search Partners has grown immensely over the last 12 years, Melissa is excited for what 2022 has in store. “We are continuing to expand our client roster, including new industries and geographies,” she says. “I love helping people find their dream job, and I can honestly say that doing that is MY dream job!”
Front row from left to right: Beth Zell, Jessie Barber, Natatia Jodoin, Lauren Vissicchio. Back row from left to right: Erin Bruyere, Jessica Walsh, Sarah Frechette, Briana Botelho
Walking in the front door of PMC MEDIA GROUP, the typical sounds of a bustling marketing agency can be heard; phones ringing, keyboards clicking away, and collaborative conversations flowing between team members. Behind the daily hustle and bustle of the o ce lies a passionate and creative team led primarily by eight women.
“The women of PMC were instrumental in growing the business from a smaller operation to a now sizable agency serving nearly 130 clients both nationally and internationally,” says President Darren Jodoin. “Each one of them brings their own unique talents to the table every day for their respective departments. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their skill sets and drive.”
From graphic design and social media strategy to finance and project management, each team member specializes in their designated field to support the growing agency. Leading the PMC team is chief financial o cer Natatia Jodoin, creative director Beth Zell, director of operations Jessica Walsh and project manager Jessie Barber. Team members Sarah Frechette (social media training and development coordinator), Lauren Vissicchio (social media engagement coordinator), Briana Botelho and Erin Bruyere (social media marketing specialists) round out the leading ladies of PMC, and with over 50 years of experience between them, this group has proven to be an exceptional asset to both the business and their clients.
Whether they are brainstorming in the conference room, leading a pitch call to a client, or creating out-of-the-box ideas, this group of women brings their A-game to PMC Media Group every single day. “That’s what makes us di erent than other marketing agencies”, says Jessica. “We have fun with it! Working closely with the whole team, bringing our concepts to life and seeing the client’s success as a product of our work is why we do what we do.”
PMC Media Group elevates their clients’ brands through thoughtful and strategic marketing initiatives to get them noticed and grow their businesses to a level they never imagined attainable. PMC is not just a full-service marketing agency, but an extension of their client’s team. They view their clients as partners on a marketing journey and together, coupled with the expertise of PMC’s web, social media, production, and creative teams, they bring their brands to life.
“It’s no secret that marketing is an essential part of any successful business” says Jessie. “It’s incredible the work that our team visualizes and brings to life for our clients, and the best part is that they get everything they need under one roof! There’s nothing that our team can’t do, and that’s the value we bring to each amazing business we work with.”
To view PMC’s full portfolio and capabilities, and to inquire about their extensive list of marketing services, call or visit online.
–President Darren Jodoin
694 Main Street East Greenwich • 401-667-7777 PMCNE.com
VANESSA LILLIE
Author
“Being a writer is all about connection – with myself, my readers, and the creative community at large,” says author VANESSA LILLIE. Rhode Island has not only been Vanessa’s home for the past decade, but the setting for her debut thriller Little Voices, which received rave reviews in Publishers Weekly and appeared in several best-of lists. “It’s been such a privilege to write stories set in Rhody.” Stay tuned for an upcoming audiobook Vanessa coauthored, YOUNG RICH WIDOWS, taking place in 1985 Providence.
VanessaLillie.com
KIMBERLY J. POLAND
Advertising & Public Relations Agency President
“I become the advertising, public relations and marketing department for clients,” says Kimberly J. Poland, founder of POLAND MEDIA GROUP, a full-service agency. “I love taking that work off an owner’s plate so they can do what they do best – while I do what I do best.” A small business owner herself, she adds, “I’m able to put myself in their shoes and pride myself on finding the best return on investment and making any budget work.
“Delivering results is my passion. There’s nothing more satisfying than creating solutions to help clients succeed,” says Kimberly, who provides businesses with everything from brand management to public relations, to media buying, website building, social media management and production. “I personally find great satisfaction when a story I’ve pitched for a client is picked up as a magazine article or an interview on television.”
With her expertise, Kimberly can simplify marketing decision making. “Business owners get hit up with so many options. I help them find their balance.”
401-743-7272, PolandMediaGroup.com
JENNIFER JONES RASHLEIGH
Art Studio & Gallery Owner “My work as an artist is about the process of observing the world acutely,” begins Jennifer Jones Rashleigh, “and distilling natural details into their salient essence that can continue to speak their truth and their unique natural poetic eloquence.” Jennifer graduated with degrees in Art History and History, and conducted her doctoral research as a US Fulbright Scholar in Spain. She has taught art theory, art history, and fine art classes from collegeage to kindergarten, and in 2019 opened
CEDIAN PAINTING: STUDIO-GALLERY
in Tiverton. There, her portfolio of water and wildlife paintings dazzled visitors and attracted clients with her detailed, dynamic, and tactile art. “I work with acrylic in every capacity,” Jennifer explains, “Diluted washes, translucent gel coats, brushed, spilled, poured, knifed, dragged opacities, and thickly pulled impasto textures that lift o the canvas.” But stretched canvas isn’t all Jennifer works on – she is also known for her hand-painted pillows, which allow the viewer to experience her art in
a new way: “I encourage my clients to run their eyes and hands over the artwork,” she says. “There is something generative that occurs when we as humans look and touch something simultaneously.” By the end of last year, Jennifer found herself running out of space as the list of commissions and scale of work doubled. Her location in Tiverton Four Corners had grown too small, and so she seized the opportunity to open an even more expansive gallery in Little Compton Commons, where she continues to channel her creative energy into canvas. “The response to my growing body of water and wildlife painting has been exhilarating,” Jennifer confesses of her wildlife studies of birds, fish, and botanicals. Discover Jennifer’s inspiring art for yourself during her new studio’s grand opening on June 11, 2022 and stay tuned for Beginning Pillow Painting classes on Tuesday evenings during July and August. Stop by and visit 73 Simmons Road, Suite E, Little Compton • 508-951-0696 Wednesday through Saturday, 12-5PM, or
CedianPainting.com make an appointment!
CATHY CORELLI CHIANESE & ROSE CANTOR
The Leading Ladies of CC Media Partners
CC Media Partners’ focus is always on the client and making client messages stand out from their competition. If you’ve ever wondered why a tiger is CC MEDIA PARTNERS identifiable image, it’s simple: No two tigers have the same stripes – they’re like human fingerprints, their stripe pattern is unique to each individual tiger, making them identifiable in the wild. Your marketing initiatives will have the same uniqueness as a tiger’s stripes.
Marketing and advertising are usually referred to as an art, but there is also a science to it. A career professional with over 25 years of industry expertise, Cathy Corelli o ers a unique approach to advertising and marketing businesses throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Cathy uses strategic media buying and marketing that combines an exceptionally strong core competency o ering inhouse graphic design, copywriting, and commercial production for TV and radio, including OTT. She has a diverse portfolio that includes comprehensive marketing campaigns for all forms of media advertising, including social media, and website development. CC Media provides in-house graphic design, plus TV and radio commercial production.
Current clients range from regional automotive groups and lawyers to retail and healthcare. “We don’t specialize in any one industry, although I am passionate about cars, which is one of the reasons I tend to gravitate towards automotive dealers.” she says with a smile.
In today’s business world, you need a partner to handle marketing your business with the same personality and drive as if it were their own; with more than 25 years of experience and longstanding client partnerships that prove her track record, Cathy and her long-term key creative team partner, Rose Cantor, provide personal attention and expertise, instilling confidence while confirming their dedication to your business. “Our success is based on your success, and we are honored to be a part of it!” Cathy is also a supporter of Big Cat Rescue, RISPCA, and the President of Executives Association of RI.
765 Westminster Street, Suite 206 • Providence. Cathy.Corelli@CCMedia.us • 437-8318
MEGHAN ROTHSCHILD President, Chikmedia
PO Box 390 South Hadley, MA 413-341-6711 • www.chikmedia.us Hanson devotee Meghan Rothschild MMMBoped personal setbacks into business triumphs. The founder of CHIKMEDIA, her business is centered on helping woman-run organizations and businesses find and amplify their voice through strategic communications. “Chikmedia was born out of years of experiencing sexism in the workplace,” notes Meghan, who is also a melanoma survivor.
From Chikmedia’s focus on women-led organizations to her previous work with IMPACT Melanoma and The American Academy of Dermatology as the organizations’ spokesperson, her national advocacy landed her in the pages of some of the most prestigious media outlets like Marie Clare, Fitness, Teen Vogue, WebMD, ABC World News, The Hu ngton Post, Associated Press, Inside Edition, NBC Nightly News, and CNN. Her work in skin cancer awareness landed her an award from Cosmopolitan magazine alongside Kristen Bell.
“Owning a marketing and public relations firm that focuses on empowering women is a dream come true,” says Meghan. “Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, but every day I wake up, work in a creative field and help women find their voice.”
With her social savvy, along with her engaging and enthusiastic online presence, she’s worked with national brands like Dunkin’, Yankee Candle, and LOFT as an influencer and product advocate. The energetic Roger Williams University grad also mentors students at Springfield College, where she is a professor. She’s a regular on WJAR’s Studio 10 and WWLP’s Mass Appeal. This year, she had the pleasure of judging the Miss Rhode Island competition here in Providence.
While “Chikmedia grows every year,” Meghan and her team find time to educate their online devotees. In 2022, they plan to amp up their content creation to have a greater impact on their followers.
“I want people to know that you can take a negative - like my cancer diagnosis and my sexual harassment - and turn it into something magnificent,” Meghan says. “Don’t let things get you down; turn them into your success story!”
THE LEADING LADIES OF NORTHEAST DESIGN + BUILD
From left to right: Abigail Connolly, Renee Croome, Michele Mackenzie, Christine LaPierre, Brittany Verdecchia, and Shannon Barney
A top-rated and 2021 Providence Journal Readers Choice Award-winning firm, NORTHEAST DESIGN + BUILD gets its success from a passionate and experienced team of designers and remodelers. This includes seven women who each bring their unique skills to accomplish a shared goal: provide customers with the highest quality home remodeling products and award-winning installation service at a competitive price.
General manager Shannon Barney has guided the company for more than five years, setting a precedence for professionalism, exceptional communication, and attention to detail. Renee Croome, Abigail Connolly, and Michele Mackenzie are design specialists, working one-on-one with clients to create the space of their dreams, whether that’s a luxury kitchen or bathroom, home addition, or a whole-house remodel. Meanwhile, project developer and interior design specialist Christine LaPierre meets clients’ specific needs by implementing their design and development ideas. Ever vigilant of the company’s growth is marketing coordinator Brittany Verdecchia who handles all public-facing projects. As administrative assistant, Jennifer Healy is Barney’s right-hand person, helping with the flow of day-to-day operations.
Together the team works closely with clients at every step of the process, carrying out a wide range of comprehensive designs, always completed punctually and with an exacting eye. No two projects are alike, so you can count on specialists to customize each design to achieve a specific look and feel for the room, while ensuring functionality and sturdy construction. “We create a strong bond with our clients and involve them through the entire remodeling process,” Verdecchia explains. “Our team strives to be their home remodeling source not only for today, but also for years to come. We treat your home like it’s our own.” To learn more about how the firm can help with your home remodeling and renovation needs, give them a call, visit their Johnston o ce, or say hi at the RI Home Show at the RI Convention Center April 7-10, where Northeast Design + Build will be exhibiting.
2949 Hartford Avenue, Johnston 401-934-1074 • NEKitchenAndFlooring.com
KATIE SCHIBLER CONN
Founder, KSA Marketing “When things don’t go right, go left,” advises Katie Schibler Conn, founder of
KSA MARKETING.
Katie learned this mantra when, in 2010, she found herself burned out, stressed out, and unfulfilled. She left her dream job at PlayStation with a one-way ticket to South America. For a year, she traveled alone from Peru to Uzbekistan, gaining clarity in every moment that went sideways. “Like the scars from flipping over the handles of a bike as I rode down a Volcano, midnight border crossings, bribing customs agents to avoid deportation, or paying to sleep on the floor of a hotel lobby,” she says. When she returned to the US, she opened KSA Marketing and embraced the “oh sh*t” moments. “After more than a decade of running KSA, I have learned more from all the mistakes I made than from when things went perfectly,” says Katie. “I tell my sta and clients chaos creates clarity and opportunity - the
most transformative and impactful change comes from the tension that happens when nothing goes right.” Embracing what goes wrong has clearly gone right for Katie. Her agency is in the midst of a growth spurt and just moved to spacious new headquarters in Warwick. She’s an alumni of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, on the Forbes Agency Council, and was named the 2021 Creative Services Woman to Watch by PBN. “After over 20 years in this industry, I still love every part of advertising and marketing,” she says. “But the best part is mentoring employees in their own growth and building a team that shows up every day ready to kick a*s. Watching people I have managed or mentored achieve great success, personally and professionally, just lights me up.” Katie and her team are fearless in the 100 Metro Center Blvd, Unit 4, Warwick • 401-681-4900 face of chaos, helping map a path to her clients’ success. “Be bold, crazy, and not TeamKSA.com afraid to kick some a*s,” she says.
AMANDA CORTELESSO
Fitness Studio Owner & Realtor
Amanda Cortelesso wears many hats: She owns aerial fitness studio ARIELLE EXTREME, recently opened INVERTED FITNESS & GOLF in February, and is a realtor with EXQUISITE REALTY. What do all of these have in common? They’re Amanda’s passions. She loves watching her students and clients grow more confident, whether through acquiring a new skill in her fitness and golf classes or purchasing their dream home. “I will work as hard with you on your wants and needs as if they’re my own!”
3377 South County Trail East Greenwich • 401-398-7061 ArielleArts.com • InvertedFitnessAndGolf.com
Owners of The Flower Shack & The Modern Farmhouse
Two can’t-miss women-owned shops share a building in Cumberland. Stephanie Rajabiun, owner of THE FLOWER SHACK, worked in the medical field for 30 years before she decided to follow her passion for all things floral by opening her own business. With training from Cass School of Floral Design in Watertown, MA, Stephanie takes inspiration from nature and her garden in designing flowers for all occasions, and takes workshops to keep up with the latest trends.
Diane D’Ambra and Corey Gendreau are the mother-and-daughter duo behind THE MODERN FARMHOUSE. The pair have always had a knack for scouring vintage markets for old furniture and turned the hobby into a business last year when they opened up their shop of curated solid-wood pieces restored to their former glory with a modern farmhouse twist. “Using that old piece of furniture that’s lasted for decades not only keeps it out of the landfill but looks better and is going to last longer than furniture made today,” shares Corey. She and her mom share an eye for decor and do custom work, too.
From left to right: Diane D’Ambrea, Corey Gendreau & Stephanie Rajabiun
2352 Mendon Road, Cumberland 401-425-8200 • TheFlowerShackRI.com 401-425-8000 • ModernFarmhouseRI.com
CHRISTINA RONDEAU
President, Rondeau’s Kickboxing Even if you’ve never picked up a boxing glove, you’ve heard of Christina Rondeau. Aside from the name of her business,
CHRISTINA RONDEAU KICKBOXING &
FITNESS, her name has become synonymous with empowerment and self-defense in Rhode Island. “My passion has always been teaching people how to defend themselves so they are never a victim,” says Christina who credits a high school bully with motivating her to learn how to defend herself. “I believe everyone should learn how to use their body as a weapon and have a fighting chance,” she says. Christina found a true connection with fitness, worked hard, and traveled the world as a sport karate fighter and member of the USA kickboxing team before turning pro. Accolades soon followed, including being hand-picked by American martial artist and actor Chuck Norris for his Team New England World Combat League, where she was the only female. This fifth-degree black belt has been voted “Fun Fearless Female” in Cosmopolitan
magazine, appeared on The Maury Povich Show, been seen on MTV in music videos, and featured on NESN. Today, Christina is busy running her Johnston studio which o ers classes as well as virtual and private options. Along with the fitness kickboxing she’s known for, there is personal training, group fitness, kids fitness, nutritional coaching, and circuit training. “The circuit training is called FIGHT CLUB and there are 10 rounds, three minutes each, all at di erent stations with a mix of kickboxing fitness drills and weights. It’s super cool!” When not working up a sweat, this mom of two has authored 12 books, and created fundraising campaigns Fight Like a Dad, Fight Like a Girl, along with contributing to others. “We’re always helping those in need,” she says. “I live my life with compassion, kindness, and gratefulness, and my goal is to spread 1408 Atwood Avenue positivity and inspire others. Follow your
Johnston • 401-996-5425 heart, listen to your own gut, and block RKBLive.com • @RondeauSKB out all resistance.”
KATIE KELLY
Owner of Anchor Toffee
When Katie Kelly and her husband were blessed with a daughter, the idea to open a family business focusing on artisan candy was serendipitous. Getting their start at Hope & Main, ANCHOR TOFFEE blossomed into its own Newport shop, earning them recognition from Yankee Magazine, The Boston Globe, Rhode Island Monthly, and Edible Rhody. Now, lots of hard work and happy customers later, they’ve grown into a second location with a kitchen and retail space in Providence. Bringing a passion for food fostered at Johnson & Wales and a talent for customer service, Katie wears many hats, from creating a personalized retail experience to packaging boxes of sweets with a wax seal and perfectly tied bow. Having always wanted to own her own business, Katie notes that Anchor To ee is like a “second child,” which she has nurtured and grown to o er only the best. “I love that we built Anchor To ee from just a few products at farmers markets into a growing regional candy brand in the Northeast, with aspirations to go national in the future.”
10 Sims Avenue, Suite 112, Providence. 439-1517. AnchorTo ee.com
MIKAYLA ROBERTS
Owner of Cleaning by Mikayla
“I’ve been the ‘cleaner’ of my family for as long as I can remember,” explains Mikayla Roberts, who decided to take her love for organization and attention to detail and turn it into a business. CLEANING BY MIKAYLA has grown over the last six years into a team of professionals that service northern Rhode Island and Providence, building relationships with clients and catering to their specific needs. “Our goal is to give you sparkling clean results with a personal touch!”
Cumberland, RI. 249-9288, cleaningbymikayla@gmail.com
ALICIA REYNOLDS
Realtor
259 County Road, Barrington 401-835-2605 AliciaReynoldsRealtor.com Whether you’re finding a new neighborhood, new town, or bringing the family “across the pond,” RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LTD. realtor Alicia Reynolds can help make it happen. She brings years of mortgage lending and residential real estate experience and two Five Star Professional Rising Star awards to the job, but on a more personal level, she is intimately acquainted with the excitement and strife any relocation brings.
“As a native Rhode Islander with a large family, I’ve relocated my three kids – all at different ages and stages – around the world over the last 25 years, including Asia once and Europe twice!” Alicia shares. Along with the typical stress that comes with any move, she has also navigated the process with the unique struggles that accompany living with a chronic illness. “I understand better than anyone the challenges that accessibility can present at all stages of the moving process and bring my own knowledge and empathy to the table.”
Combined with the top-notch resources premier real estate company Residential Properties offers, Alicia is connected with a wide range of contacts, from building contractors and plumbers to attorneys and architects, to help make each step of the move painless. With a wry wit and empathetic ear, Alicia is a phone call away to answer questions throughout the process as a true advocate for her clients who prides herself in constant communication with all parties involved.
Entering a year when home inventory rates are at a historic low, Alicia says, “There has never been a better time to sell. I can help clients looking to sell or buy navigate the market successfully.” Along with managing an autoimmune disease, Alicia sold over $7.6 million worth of real estate in her first year alone, and isn’t slowing down. “It is a huge leap of faith for someone to entrust you with one of the biggest decisions of their lives. I never take that for granted.”
DR. CHRISTINE NOEL
Artistic Director
PROVIDENCE SINGERS celebrates two notable anniversaries this year: 50 years of choral singing and nine years under the leadership of artistic director Dr. Christine Noel. Since taking the podium, Dr. Noel has led the choir through world premieres, their fourth commercial recording, and many collaborative performances with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, including annual performances of Handel’s Messiah. Her busy spring season includes Bach’s Magnificat on March 5, a concert of musical theater choruses on April 3, and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in May.
A Rhode Island native, Dr. Noel attended Rhode Island College, then studied in Italy and Hungary before pursuing her masters and doctorate degrees at Boston University. Deeply committed to music education, she is the founder and artistic director of the Rhode Island Children’s Chorus, a program that has taught over 2,000 singers over the past 19 years. Her students have performed in Carnegie Hall (2019) and appeared in the movie Moonrise Kingdom (2012). Several former RICC singers are pursuing careers in music education and sharing the joy of singing with a new generation.
667 Waterman Avenue, East Providence • 401-751-5700 ProvidenceSingers.org
AMY SHORT
Photographer
“My job is so much fun. I get to create custom portraits for all of my clients. Sometimes I want to pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming,” says Amy Short of AMY KRISTIN PHOTOGRAPHY. Her portfolio ranges from family portraits to marketing shots, but her passion project for 2022 is photographing women 40 women over 40, capturing the beauty and divine wisdom that comes with age. “It’s so important to celebrate who you are, where you’ve come from, and have amazing photos to prove that.”
4259 Old Post Rd #2, Charlestown 401-749-6934 • AmyKristin.com
GLORIA CRIST
President & Founder
156 Highland Road, Tiverton 401-749-1203 • ThinkFeelCreate.org @glosoul and @thecoreorg “The point of having access to the arts process is all about becoming a better human,” says Gloria Crist. This lifelong belief is what led Gloria to found THE CORE ORG in 2009. The Tiverton-based nonprofit has been a source and resource organization o ering arts enrichment and wellness in all mediums throughout the East Bay. Classes are based in all art formats and open to all students in Tiverton and throughout Newport County. Not funded by any school department, The CORE receives its funding through grants, donations, and modest tuition for enrollment in classes.
“We approach what we do by looking at the creative wants and needs of the whole person, using an arts template to address a wide variety of self expression,” Gloria begins. “Our programs are created specifically to provide arts AND mental well being, self confidence, self awareness, better communication skills, better ways to deal with stress … to provide arts that are not only the answer, but also invite more questions.” Since the pandemic, The CORE has expanded programs to include SEL (social emotional learning) to assist in the increase in anxiety and depression witnessed in grades K-12 along with partnering with other organizations to create new ways for young people to deal with the “overwhelming amount of emotions the COVID chaos has introduced into the everyday.” Originally from North Carolina, Gloria is a card carrying member of SAGAFTRA-AEA and will open in the March premiere of Charlotte Meehans new play Everyday Life and Other Odds and Ends at the Emerson Paramount Center in Boston. Her background includes awardwinning theater, film, and television, and developing a one-woman show in Las Vegas that became stand-up comedian Don Rickles’ opening act. This spring Gloria will also be busy preparing the CORE Youth Theater Company for the June production of Willy Wonka. “I get to work with a talented group of teaching artists who authentically love what they do. It’s pure joy!”
PROVIDENCE MEDIA is the locally owned publishing company of four award-winning monthly magazines: Providence Monthly, So Rhode Island, The Bay, and Hey Rhody. The free publications reach roughly 100,000 readers every month, bringing the best of food, arts, culture, fashion and much more, in a uniquely Ocean State voice. Additionally there are websites, social media pages, and a podcast, all produced by a small but mighty team of editors, graphic designers, and a seasoned sales force to make it all happen.
Abigail Brown,
Senior Editorial Designer, started with Providence Media in 2019. Her talent for design quickly led to taking the lead in laying out every article, cover story, and cover for all four magazines each month. You may also see her name attached to original illustrations, a few of which have been turned into merchandise for causes available at Frog & Toad, Providence.
Shelley Cavoli,
Account Manager for Northern Rhode Island and Providence. Staff and customers were glad when Shelley recently rejoined the sales team after taking time away to assist her parents. “Our creative team publishes the best magazines. Everyday I see enthusiastic clients discover ways to be successful, I’m proud to be part of their success. Happy to be back!”
Louann DiMuccio-Darwich, Account Manager for East Bay and Providence. Louann has been with Providence Media for 14 years. Known for her warm demeanor, she has a long history of developing strong relationships with clients. “I am blessed to work with an amazing team and local business community.”
Ann Gallagher,
Account Manager for South County. Ann has been with Providence Media for 14 years serving her seaside beat of South County. “I love that I can shop and support local businesses while also helping them get their message out through our magazines. It’s so gratifying to see small businesses prosper with our help.”
Taylor Gilbert,
Senior Graphic Designer. Taylor uses her talents to create ads, rate cards and sell sheets, plus marketing materials for special events and more; additionally she assists with editorial design. “We all work together as one big family, constantly supporting and motivating us all to be a better company.”
Karen Greco,
Editor. The newest addition to the team as editor, Karen is a seasoned writer whose career started at Elle Magazine and Ladies’ Home Journal. She enjoys writing about fitness, food, and digging in to write in-depth cover stories and features. Karen is also the novelist of seven books and a novella.
Abbie Lahmers, Managing Editor. In 2021, hardworking Abbie was promoted to managing editor. In addition to taking on newsier stories, she assigns all Food & Drink, Rhody Gems, and Neighborhood News, and has transformed the Hey Rhody newsletter into a mini e-publication filled with magazine highlights, weekend must-do’s, and seasonal roundups.
Elyse Major, Editor-in-Chief. Since landing her dream job in 2018, Elyse’s various duties have included developing cover stories and overseeing the Life Style and Art & Culture sections. As the face of the company, she often appears on local TV and at events, proudly repping the magazines. Elyse also serves as co-president of the Rhode Island Press Association.
Kristine Mangan Olf, Account Manager for South County & Aquidneck Island. Kristine has been with Providence Media for nine years. With over 25 years of sales experience, Kristine prides herself on helping any sized business grow and prosper via advertising in both print and online. “I love our magazines and what they o er to the local community.”
Sascha Roberts, Digital Media Manager. While Sascha joined as an account manager, her enthusiasm for community led to her being recast as the company’s first digital media manager. Sascha now coordinates all social media (creator of #heyrhodyphotos), website content, and co-hosts the wildly popular Hey Rhody podcast.
Elizabeth Riel, Account Manager for Providence. Liz has been at Providence Media for over 14 years and has long been known for her dedication to helping businesses in Providence grow and thrive. She works closely with owners to create e ective ad campaigns. “I love our little city and seeing all the exciting changes over the years.”
