Jordan-Rose Decker, 28
Owner & Founder
Memories Wine, Mount Kisco
Through winemaking, Jordan-Rose Decker found a way to honor her late mother Lori, who loved to tell stories over a glass of vino. The former Miss Westchester Teen founded Memories Wine in 2023, a private label with selections sourced from the historic family-owned vineyard Château d’Haurets in Bordeaux, France.
While nurturing and growing Memories Wine, Decker also serves as the full-time senior marketing manager for NuEnergen, an energy management company in White Plains. The entrepreneur, who is also a certified sommelier, says that launching this wine label has given her perspective on the power of resilience and embracing life with intention. “This role has shown me that when you fully believe in what you’re doing, passion becomes contagious,” Decker says.
“I built an entire business from scratch—managing logistics, securing retail placements, and expanding into restaurants—fueled by grief and determination that I learned from my mom.”
She hopes the brand will go national and be offered on major airlines. “My mom loved to travel. I can’t think of a better way to honor her legacy than having Memories Wine available to passengers on their own journeys.”
Nick Chiarella, 25
Head of Social Media and Digital Strategy
Nick Chiarella is the driving force behind the City of Yonkers’ digital presence, serving as its first Head of Social Media and Digital Strategy. In this trailblazing role, he promotes the city and its departments, accompanies Mayor Mike Spano to events, and produces content across social media platforms. Starting as an intern, he quickly climbed the ranks of the communications department while reshaping how Yonkers engages online with both community members and the county as a whole.
“In a broad sense, my biggest achievement has been putting Yonkers on the map digitally,” Chiarella says. “This role has shaped both my life and career in ways I never expected.”
With Chiarella at the helm, the city’s social media following skyrocketed. In 2023, there were 34,000 followers on platforms and in 2024, Chiarella helped capture an additional 45,000 followers—more than doubling the city’s audience. He played a key role in major campaigns, including the launch of the Sonia Sotomayor Community School, which generated 975,000 impressions and 21,000 engagements. He also created initiatives like Foodie Friday and Yonkers Pizza Madness, which earned Yonkers City Hall TV a New York Emmy nomination for Outstanding Social Interaction. Chiarella says the role has provided him with “a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling and how digital media can bring a community together.”
Justin Williams, 27
Project Manager, Operations
Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla
The most successful project managers always keep their wits about them, think quickly on their feet, and face challenges with a genuine smile so their teams can remain calm and on task. Justin Williams consistently checks all three boxes while overseeing multiple service lines and vendor contracts for Westchester Medical Center. He takes on multidisciplinary initiatives that require close collaboration with C-suite executives throughout the ever-evolving healthcare network and plays a key role in readying WMCHealth for regulatory compliance surveys, which requires long hours, months of meticulous preparation, and high-level collaboration across multiple teams to ensure every single standard is met.
A veteran of two successful New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) emergency response initiatives—the mpox vaccine rollout and the COVID-19 mass vaccination sites—Williams has helped address critical public health crises while learning an important lesson that he will carry throughout his career. “On a personal level, this role has shown me that leadership isn’t just about being at the front of the pack,” says Williams. “Sometimes it’s about playing a pivotal role within a team to ensure a shared mission is achieved.”
Miranda Bucciero, 29
Owner & Head Baker
Flour Power, Pelham Manor
Being a baker wasn’t Miranda Bucciero’s first career choice. When she was young, she wanted to be a marine biologist, until she quickly learned that it wasn’t the kind of science she was good at. Three years after graduating college and spending time in other bakeries’ kitchens, Bucciero opened Flour Power in 2020, filling her shop with brownies, cupcakes, scones, and more, while also serving craft coffee from Tarrytown’s Coffee Labs.
Bucciero’s creativity and artistry have garnered national attention. Vogue featured a 28-foot-long, 7 flavor wedding cake she crafted and in 2023 she created a flowerpot cake for Martha Stewart’s birthday. This recognition is a clear testament to her exceptional skills, attention to detail, and unwavering pursuit of “baking the world a better place.”
In addition to the bakery, for two years Bucciero has served as the co-vice president for the Pelham Chamber of Commerce. In this role, she worked tirelessly to create opportunities for local businesses to connect and collaborate, including organizing her annual Random Acts of Kindness Day for the community.
“I’ve always said I can’t imagine a life where I go more than a few weeks without making a beautiful cake for someone. I value the personal connection we have with our customers. They feel like family, and we’re putting food into the world that’s made with care and love.”
Bucciero’s ability to balance the demands of running a successful business while also serving as a leader in her town speaks to her work ethic and dedication. As she will freely admit, she does this because she loves to, not because it’s easy. “I’ve always said I can’t imagine a life where I go more than a few weeks without making a beautiful cake for someone. I value the personal connection we have with our customers. They feel like family, and we’re putting food into the world that’s made with care and love.”
Michael Komendowski, 29
Director, Financial Strategy
ENT and Allergy Associates, Tarrytown
Michael Komendowski always dreamed of playing pro baseball, “under bright lights in maximum capacity stadiums,” he recalls. Working in the health care field had never occurred to him, until his grandfather passed away of an incurable illness right before he started college. Already intending to study finance, he decided to concentrate on learning the business side of medical practices. Harnessing and interpreting complex data became his superpower, positioning him to negotiate contracts with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna, and fuel growth-oriented decisions.
“I’d like to continue push boundaries, exceed expectations, and positively impact the industry, being the best version of myself.”
Under his direction, ENT and Allergy Associates has grown from 165 physicians in two states to 261 in three states, while being recognized with awards from the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Coping with extraordinary demands during Covid helped him hone emergency management skills. He brings all of that to the table as an adjunct professor at New York Medical College. Going forward, he says, “I’d like to continue push boundaries, exceed expectations, and positively impact the industry, being the best version of myself.”
Keishara Colby, 32
Senior Registered Client Service Associate
Morgan Stanley, Purchase
Growing up in a tiny Vermont town, Keishara Colby dreamed of going away to college and a career that somehow involved helping people. As the first in her family to pursue higher education, Colby needed three jobs to make it happen. While working her way through Keene State in New Hampshire, she was initially thinking about law school post-grad but then became interested in finance. Less than a decade later, she is a senior registered client service associate at Morgan Stanley, working with the FED Wealth Management Group.
Servicing one percenters requires deep expertise in banking, financial planning, and eventual estate settlement. According to Colby, one of the greatest challenges in her job is helping clients navigate the loss of a loved one. “Some families come together but others are driven apart.” Her relationship-building skills foster the trust needed to have “the tough conversations” that can mitigate arguments among relatives down the road. After hours, Colby is training to run a marathon to raise money for local animal shelters. “Fitness is a big passion of mine,” she says. “If I can also give back in the process it’s an even bigger win in my book.”
Kyra Brunner, 26
Chief of Staff
Assemblyman Matt Slater, NYS 94th District, Yorktown
For the last three years, Kyra Brunner, a born leader and dedicated public servant, has worked relentlessly to advance the mission of serving the 94th Assembly District. Under Brunner’s guiding hand, over 1,000 constituent cases were successfully closed in her first two years in the office, and she helped deliver over $30 million in state funding to help improve the quality of life for residents of Northern Westchester and Putnam County.
Brunner’s role allows her to work on projects that bring people together for a shared purpose. She has organized numerous community events such as the annual Women of Distinction awards, Veterans of Hall of Fame ceremony, and diaper drives for community members in need. Working in government, Brunner never experiences the same day twice. It can be tough managing unexpected issues while keeping day to day operations on track, but she can work through any pitfall with the team of hardworking and dedicated staffers that she leads.
“I never thought I’d work in government but seeing the tremendous impact it makes on the lives of others has been motivating,” she says. “One of my favorite quotes is ‘Love what you do, do what you love’, so in five years I hope I am still doing what I love, which is helping others.”
Lauren Kroell, 24
Program Manager, Building Decarbonization Department
Sustainable Westchester, Mount Kisco
Lauren Kroell has always been passionate about the environment. As a program manager for the building decarbonization department at Sustainable Westchester, an organization she says fell in her lap at an “opportune time,” she leads community-based campaigns that help Westchester County residents save energy. Kroell is a familiar face at sustainability events across the county and frequently serves as a Sustainable Westchester liaison to municipal environmental advisory committees, student associations, and advocacy groups.
With a background in policy analysis, Kroell leads internal discussions on state and federal regulatory initiatives. A significant portion of that work focuses on outreach to historically underserved and lower-income community members.
“It is always particularly tough when you know you have done everything you can to assist someone and identify opportunities to help them with the projects they’re interested in, yet ultimately, it doesn’t come together,” she says, noting that as rewarding as the job can be, there are difficult days.
“I’ve tried to make sure that even if there’s not an immediate solution, it’s clear that we’re always here to help people understand their options and rights.”
“I’ve tried to make sure that even if there’s not an immediate solution, it’s clear that we’re always here to help people understand their options and rights.”
Robert Raniolo, JR., 31
Personal Risk Advisor
Meridian Risk Management, Pelham
Shopping online for insurance is easy but impersonal. Robert Raniolo, Jr. has brought customized care to the field. His focus as an advisor at Meridian Risk Management was never more evident than on September 2, 2021. Hurricane Ida had hit the night before, and by morning, hundreds of clients were reaching out about flooding. “I couldn’t get through one panicked call before the next one came in,” he recalls. “Insurance is meant to be there when you need it most, and people certainly needed it most that day.” Channeling that level of compassion and recognizing how much his customers rely on him motivated Raniolo to pioneer his own approach to new client acquisition. His unique way of personalizing policies completely tailored to the individual has since become the model for all incoming Meridian sales team members.
That passion also fuels significant volunteer efforts with the Italian American Forum, a service organization that supports struggling families. Bringing his family focus full circle, Raniolo and his wife Alyssa welcomed a baby girl last year. The proud Westchester native intends to stay here, raising his family, building his business, and giving back any way he can.
Lauren Douglas, 31
Director of Guest Experience
Empire City Casino, MGM Resorts, Yonkers
Lauren Douglas has made climbing the corporate ladder look easy. Since joining MGM’s Northeast properties in 2016, Douglas rose from a line-level guest experiences employee to Director of Guest Experience for both Empire City Casino in Yonkers and MGM Springfield, Massachusetts. In her current role, Douglas spearheads guest experience initiatives, partnering with property presidents and executive leaders to develop improvements focused on customers.
“I do a lot of data analytics, so really diving into our survey data, finding trends, and then taking that to the departments to understand what went wrong, how we can fix it, and how can we make sure it doesn’t happen again,” says Douglas. “The other side is really employee engagement and how I can help our staff be better prepared to create an improved experience for our guests.”
Douglas drives strategies that have helped improve Net Promoter Scores by 49% at Empire City Casino since ascending to her director role in 2021.
In addition to this work, Douglas is also the Executive Sponsor for Empire City’s Social Impact and Sustainability Committee. “It’s important for us to give back to the community, and that committee is really focused on volunteer efforts—and then how we can raise money for the MGM Resorts Foundation, which gives back to nonprofits in our community every year through our grant process,” says Douglas.
While her responsibilities are numerous, Douglas feels her work has truly shaped the person she is today. “It’s challenged me in ways that I’ve never been challenged before,” she says. “Especially as a young female in this industry, I’ve found a voice and have been able to use that voice to better myself, and improve the properties.”
Diego Gomez, 31
Center Attorney at Legal Hand Call-In Center
Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
Diego Gomez is a changemaker. For as long as he can remember, he has wanted to be a lawyer. “I didn’t know what type of lawyer I would be, but I always worked with that objective in mind,” he says.
As the original center manager and now center attorney at the virtual Legal Hand Call-In Center serving Westchester, Gomez has been at the heart of a vital community resource. The center, operated by the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, provides free remote legal information, assistance, and referrals to help bridge gaps in access to information and services. Anyone can call the center for help with issues impacting their life in areas such as housing, domestic violence, public benefits, and employment, however the program doesn’t handle criminal matters.
Since the center’s launch two years ago, it has received thousands of calls. Gomez has played a key role in its growth—helping establish it, expanding outreach, and increasing community awareness. Along with leading the center, Gomez trains and supervises Pace law students and local volunteers on how to assist calls from virtual visitors and treat them with the same compassion as if they were a client present in the room.
“This job made me realize how important it is for a community to have services to inform and support its neighbors,” he says. Gomez’s career goal for the future is simply, “to bring about change on a bigger scale.”
Ariana Barrios, 21
Early Childhood Violin Coordinator/ Orchestra Director/ Summer Music Program Supervisor
Songcatchers, New Rochelle
At only 21 years old, Ariana Barrios embodies the power of music to inspire, heal, and connect. Barrios joined Songcatchers, a New Rochelle nonprofit that provides music education for children and families, when she was just 4 years old. Growing within the organization, Barrios spent her free time volunteering and working there since the summer before her senior year of high school.
Raised by a single mother, Barrios understands the value of resilience and support. Her mother’s encouragement fueled her drive to overcome obstacles and uplift others through music. Last year, she became the orchestra director while continuing her role as an early childhood violin instructor. She leads rehearsals and public performances for groups of seven to eight students throughout the community.
During the summer, she oversees seven to 10 high school-aged counselors that volunteer with the Songcatcher music program for children ages 3 to 13. “Establishing a community with my students and classroom is one of my biggest goals,” she says.
Barrios hopes to further her education and expand her impact through music. “I feel like not many people are inclined to go into a music degree,” she says. “I can’t see myself doing anything else except teaching.”
Bria Waterman, 32
Artist
Bria the Artist, Peekskill
There are few creative talents Bria Waterman doesn’t possess. A singer, songwriter, producer, painter, sketch artist, spoken word artist, and poet, Waterman is known not only for her music, but also for her public art. In 2023, she created a ceiling mural for Peekskill’s City Youth Bureau that’s still on display, her second large-scale art installation after her 2020 mural for Peekskill’s City Hall.
After years performing at Peekskill’s annual holiday celebrations and NAACP fundraisers, she began working with Grammy-winning artist Ne-Yo on her sound that blends neo-soul, hip-hop, and jazz. “One of my biggest achievements is building a multifaceted artistic career on my own terms. From collaborating with Ne-Yo on my single ‘People Fall in Love in Heaven’ and releasing music that I produced, mixed, and recorded myself, to creating visual art that resonates with people, to leading creative initiatives for my community,” says Waterman. “It all reflects my purpose.”
Prior to having two of her songs featured on The Burning Playlist Vol. 2 Presented by Ne-Yo, Waterman set out on a 2019 10-city tour that included both local performances as well as stops in Dubai and Canada. She has done all this while serving as Artist in Residence for Peekskill’s New Era Creative Space, where she teaches local youth how to express themselves by leading a multi-generational choir, a glee club, and a visual art class, as well as writing and producing plays and scoring music. She has also hosted a bi-weekly spoken word event at the space, where the community can participate while networking with other local creators.
“I see creativity as a limitless force, and at the core of everything I create, I want to inspire every generation with one simple truth: if you have imagination, you have everything.”
“Being an artist isn’t just what I do; it’s my entire perspective,” Waterman shares. “I see creativity as a limitless force, and at the core of everything I create, I want to inspire every generation with one simple truth: if you have imagination, you have everything.”
Tatenda Zenenga, 28
Director of Camp Morty
Westchester Parks Foundation, North Salem
Tatenda Zenenga does everything for the kids. Serving as director of Camp Morty, a free North Salem sleepaway summer camp for children in foster care, homeless shelters, or under child protective services, his number one job is to facilitate joy. Since stepping into the role in February 2024, he has overseen operations and led strategic growth efforts.
With a finance background—holding a BS and MS from Sacred Heart University—Zenenga has thrived in the nonprofit sector. Under his leadership, Camp Morty saw a 38% increase in applications from 2023 to 2024, the highest since before COVID. The program offers a weeklong camp for children ages 8-12 and a two-week experience for teens 13-15. He also revitalized Morty on the Move—free programing outside of summer months—and other initiatives to provide resources and information such as a college tour of his alma mater.
“Taking a step back from finance was definitely a big change but supporting the youth in the county, especially since I grew up in New Rochelle, is deeply meaningful to me,” he says. “While Westchester is often viewed as an affluent area, I am aware of the challenges many families face, lacking access to the same resources as others. Being part of a program that works to break down these social barriers has shown me the incredible value of serving others and the real impact it can have on our community.”
Amy Rivera, 27
Director of Communications
Nonprofit Westchester (NPW), White Plains
Amy Rivera is here to change the world. An exceptional communicator and consummate professional, her influence extends far beyond her role. As the main point person for all the news, directives, and initiatives of Nonprofit Westchester, her reputation for excellence is grounded in her ingenuity, accountability, and remarkable ability to lead and guide others.
A highlight of Rivera’s work is her leadership in spearheading the redesign of NPW’s website. Understanding the importance of a digital presence, she led the project to enhance user experience, brand consistency, and community engagement. The new site has become an essential resource for members and stakeholders, improving communication and offering innovative features like a member news page, a community calendar, and an advocacy platform.
Rivera is never one to sit idle. She recently launched a dedicated webpage offering real-time resources and updates to support Westchester nonprofits navigating changing executive orders and federal actions. This invaluable resource has been cited and shared by local elected officials from multiple political parties including the Department of Labor and helping to alleviate stress during such a tumultuous time for nonprofits.
Beyond her communication expertise, Rivera is deeply committed to interconnectivity. In 2024, she planned and launched NPW’s first Young Professionals Networking Event, which brought together nearly 100 attendees from areas of nonprofit, government, and business. The event received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback, and will now become an annual gathering, further strengthening the connections between these key sectors.
Phillip Antunes, 30
Owner
Frannie’s Goodie Shop & Longford’s Ice Cream, Armonk/Chappaqua/Larchmont/Mount Kisco/Somers
Katonah native Phillip Antunes says he knew back in middle school that sweets were good business. Antunes would buy candy at Costco and resell it to students at a more competitive price than any local vending machine. Although he had difficulties and dropped out of high school, he continued to follow his entrepreneurial pursuits. In 2017, Antunes, who is also a real estate agent and had a car detailing business, gathered his profits and bought Frannie’s Goodie Shop in Mount Kisco, expanding the store to a second location in Chappaqua, and a third in Somers, along with acquiring Longford’s Ice Cream shop in Larchmont in 2021, and its Armonk location in 2024.
“The business started with one store and expanded; we are grossing four million dollars with all our locations now,” Antunes says, adding that goals for the future include more locations for Frannie’s Goodie Shops, franchising the brand, and being a leader in the frozen dessert industry. To Antunes, experiencing success early in his career has made him more present for the challenges the food business can throw at you.
“I am laser-focused on what I do—you go through the ups and down and adversity, but if you keep your eyes on the goal when you are on the rollercoaster, you will reach your final destination.”
“I am laser-focused on what I do—you go through the ups and down and adversity, but if you keep your eyes on the goal when you are on the rollercoaster, you will reach your final destination,” he says.
Hugo Velazquez & James Amigon, 32
Founders & CEOs
Home Thesis and The Gentleman’s Lab, New Rochelle
The burgeoning business empire started by Hugo Velazquez and James Amigon began at New Rochelle High School, where a handful of shared classes fostered a soon-to-be lifelong friendship. “We just clicked from the start, always pushing each other and sharing ideas,” says Velazquez. When they ended up working together at a painting company, the young men learned what it takes to deliver top-quality craftsmanship, according to Velazquez. “We knew we could take our skills to the next level.”
Deciding to bet big on themselves, the pair started Home Thesis, a contracting business specializing in high-quality renovations for residential and commercial clients. After nearly a decade of success in a notoriously tough industry, they doubled down and diversified, opening a high-end barber shop called The Gentleman’s Lab. Now a year into that venture, the men envision multiple Lab locations that combine grooming with networking, mentorship, and multi-generation community building. With both of their businesses, the power of entrepreneurship is pulled to the forefront. For Velazquez, it means the freedom to drop his kids off at school and network during the day to grow the businesses yet still maintain a healthy work-life balance, something Amigon values as well. “At the end of the day, we push each other to be better, same as we have since high school,” says Velazquez.
Dot Kelly, 30
Events Specialist/ Performer
ESP Creative, White Plains/ Broadway
An event planner by day and Broadway dancer by night, Dot Kelly is multi-talented and spreads joy with everything she does. As an expert event planner, her creative and versatile spirit leverages her expertise in these fields to craft and deliver unforgettable experiences for clients.
At ESP Creative, she uses her innovative approach to take a moment to the next level and has played a pivotal role in curating and executing memorable events, including NBC’s SNL Wrap Party and Baldor Food Group’s Holiday Event. Kelly plans every experience with her arsenal of skills, including creating activation concepts, securing coveted venues, and her acute eye for detail. She was also Miss Virginia 2019 and has traveled thousands of miles with the Miss America Organization.
When Kelly isn’t executing memorable events, she expresses her creativity through dance. As a college student, she participated in Destination Broadway’s summer intensive while studying for her BFA in dance. Post grad, she attended the 2018 and 2019 Radio City Rockette precision dance training. Returning to her alma mater, Shenendoah University, Kelly earned an MS in Performing Arts, Leadership, and Management in 2021. Since 2023, she has been dancing in the ensemble for Broadway’s “Funny Girl.” In addition to performing in New York City, Kelly tours nationally. Also in 2023, she had the privilege of performing front and center with the “Funny Girl” cast in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
Doris Tenesaca, 28
Communications Manager
Latino U College Access (LUCA), White Plains
As a child, Doris Tenesaca was incredibly shy; nevertheless, she had a dream of becoming a television journalist. There was something about storytelling that sparked a deep passion within her.
“I wanted to be a voice for those who didn’t have a platform to share their experiences.”
“I wanted to be a voice for those who didn’t have a platform to share their experiences,” she says. “That passion for storytelling has remained constant in my life, evolving into my work today—amplifying the voices of first-generation students, families, and my Latino community through digital media.”
Serving as the communications manager for Latino U College Access (LUCA), Tenesaca is dedicated to helping low-income, first-generation Latino youth—that the program aptly calls “Scholars”—achieve their college dreams. As the daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants, she connects deeply to LUCA’s mission to uplift the Latino community. In her role, she integrates branding, marketing, and strategic storytelling to amplify the organization’s message and reach new audiences. She’s revamped the content strategy with the introduction of video, reels, and social media storytelling.
“It’s about creating a space where people feel comfortable enough to open up in the first place,” she explains. “Whether through social media, video content, or one-on-one interactions, I’ve worked to make LUCA’s platform a place where our Scholars’ voices are not only amplified but celebrated.”
Justin Sherman, 32
Owner
JustinTime Baseball, New Rochelle
After playing on SUNY Purchase’s baseball team during his undergrad years, Justin Sherman knew he wanted to pursue sports as a career and went on to get his MS in Physical Education. In 2020, Sherman launched his company, running the inaugural JustinTime Baseball’s youth skills camp. What began as Sherman himself being the sole employee, coaching kids in public parks, has now developed into a full-scale operation that rents out time at state-of-the-art sports facilities and employs 22 baseball and softball coaches, many of whom are college athletes.
Through his year-round development programs, specialty skills clinics, and short-term camps for summer and school breaks, he has transformed the way children ages 4-12 engage with the sport. His teachings have reached kids across all socio-economic backgrounds and school districts, with the goal of making baseball accessible to all and encouraging the growth of local talent.
Last year, Sherman was named an official partner of Major League Baseball’s Play Ball program, an initiative that offers free baseball and softball clinics for kids interested in the sports. He frequently has professional players like the Mets’ Francisco Lindor and the Yankees’ Luke Weaver at his camps to work with the young athletes. His greatest testament to success is the loyalty of his players—nearly of whom entered the program in its first two years and have continued to grow and develop alongside it.
Hair/Makeup: Samantha McDonough, Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge, Tuckahoe
Location: Switch2ten Building, White Plains
