Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Sydney Sherman, Social Activist Entrepreneur

Entrepreneur Sydney Sherman is on a mission. She's the CEO and co-founder of Faire.Shop, a new kind of online marketplace that promotes and expands fair and ethical trade practices by selling ethically sourced products - from beauty and fashion to home goods and necessities. Headquartered in Austin, Faire's vision is a world without poverty, where everyone can "thrive in a dignified, economically sustainable way." You'll want to meet and get to know this committed, passionate and inspirational woman.

Gigi de Manio, Photographer

Meet Gigi de Manio, one of the country's pre-eminent wedding photographers. Since forming Genevieve de Manio Photography (www.demaniophotograpy.com) in 1997, she's photographed more than 475 weddings and was there when Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky, Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent and John Henry, the owner of the Boston Red Sox all said their "I do's." Gigi's work has been featured in dozens of wedding magazines and newspapers, including Modern Bride, Boston Weddings as well as a profile in the New York Times Sunday Styles section. For Gigi, her work is truly a labor of love.

Roberta Hoskie, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Roberta Hoskie has one helluva story to share. A high school drop-out and a mom at 17, Roberta was on welfare living in a Connecticut homeless shelter. But with a lot of grit, determination, moxie and smarts she turned her life around. She is the founder and owner of a successful business - Outreach Realty, which has morphed into 3 divisions: Residential Property Management, Tenant Placement and Maintenance Services. Roberta is also passionate about giving back. Her non-profit, Outreach Foundation, advocates affordable housing for low and moderate income families. We cover a lot of ground in this honest, open conversation with this inspirational woman!

Linda Shelton, Joyce Theater Foundation Executive Director

In 2017 Linda Shelton was named among Dance Magazine's most influential people in dance today. Here's why: since 1993 she's been the Executive Director of The Joyce Theater Foundation, the NY-based non-profit that has served the dance community for more than 30 years. Before joining the Joyce, Linda was the General Manager of The Joffrey Ballet and held various management positions at the Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation and managed tours for the Bolshoi, Moscow Virtuosi and composer Philip Glass. Clearly, Linda's career is rich and varied and one that she shares in our wide-ranging conversation.

Deb Brandon, Textile Arists/Author

Deb Brandon's career is an eclectic one to say the least. Born in England, raised there, Israel and Switzerland, she lives in Pittsburgh and is a math professor at Carnegie Mellon University, which is where she earned her PhD. Deb's a respected textile artist whose book, "Threads Around the World" describes how artisans from 25 diverse cultures create traditional fiber arts using centuries old methods. Deb is also a brain injury survivor who underwent 3 surgeries in as many weeks. She kept a diary, which eventually evolved into a book: "But My Brain Had Other Ideas: A Memoir or Recovery from Brain Surgery." We cover a lot of ground in this open, honest, life affirming conversation.

Eve Durante, Entrepreneur

When Eve Durante married into a large Italian family, she learned a lot from her mother-in-law when it came to shopping, prepping, cooking and serving Sunday dinners and holiday meals. Eve's passion for delicious, clean eating was very much on display in her own kitchen - especially when it came to her home-made tomato sauce which she bottled and gave to family and friends. It earned rave reviews and Eve knew it was time to share her culinary skills with a much wider audience. So, in 2015 The Vine was born. Currently, there are five flavors of tomato sauce, four salsas and a honey-sweetened ketchup that can be found in more than 2,000 stores nationwide (www.foodsofthevine.com). Join us for a mouth-watering conversation with this culinary and entrepreneur.

Stefanie Nelson, Dancer/Choreographer

Stefanie Nelson's on the move - literally. A director/choreographer, she is the founder of the Stefanie Nelson DanceGroup. The New York City-based contemporary performance ensemble has been described as instinctual, untamed and edgy. Stefanie's also the founder and artistic director of Dance Italia, an annual summer event in Agrapoli and Lucca. The program has welcomed more than 300 students from 20 countries. It's our pleasure to introduce yet another, passionate, committed, creative woman.

Thursday Williams, Student Activist

Watch out world - here comes Thursday Williams! She might be 17, but Thursday has an impressive list of credits to her name. She's participated in a variety of debates at Brooklyn Law School and NYU; completed a judicial internship through the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, is president of her high school, is an explorer and member of the Youth Community Council for the 103rd Police Precinct in Queens. And although she's not a professional actress, Thursday was a cast as a debater in the highly acclaimed, successful Off-Broadway play, What "The Constitution Means to Me." Clearly, Thursday can hold her own any day of the week!

Pearl Gluck, Filmmaker

Pearl Gluck has stories to tell, including her own. As a filmmaker she's been doing so for 20 years. Pearl, who grew up in the insular, cloistered tight-knit Hasidic community of Boro Park, Brooklyn, left to attend college. She's written, directed several documentaries and award winning short films. And now, "The Turn Out," Pearl's first full-length feature which explores sex trafficking at rural truck stops. Pearl shares her personal and professional journeys in this open, honest, heart-warming conversation.

Michelle Walshe, Filmmaker - Revisited

Michelle Walshe finds herself in a unique category - one of the very few female filmmakers to direct a sports documentary. And what a documentary it is. "Chasing Great," follows 34 year old Richie McCaw, considered by many to be THE best rugby player ever, through his final season as captain of the All Blacks. "Chasing Great" happens to be the highest grossing documentary in New Zealand history and one of the top 100 highest grossing documentaries of all time. Michelle and her husband also happen to be the co-founders of the production company, Augusto. They're expanding their reach to include the U.S. - opening an office in New York City. In a word, Michelle is a dynamo!