The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.
Mike Bruno
I became the Executive Director of the Human Needs Food Pantry in 2013 after I retired. I served in law enforcement for 30 years and was Chief of Police for 11 of those years. Public service has always been a part of my life so coming here was a natural transition for me. Read more>>
Najma Premnavaz
Meet Najma Premnavaz: Turning Personal Loss into a Mission of Healing Through LANA Every meaningful business begins with a story. For Najma Premnavaz, founder of LANA Health & Wellness and LANA Onco Spa, that story is deeply personal rooted in love, loss, and a powerful purpose to change how people experience care during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Read more>>
Carol Boyer
I came to my career in counseling through an existential crisis, and ironically – or perhaps not! – I became an existential counselor. Prior to that, I had spent many years in the corporate world as an administrative assistant, a job I enjoyed and at which I excelled, but as I reached my mid-forties, I began to feel that my work lacked meaning and a sense of personal fulfillment. I was good at my job, but I wanted more. Read more>>
Dana Kessel
I began my career in education as a history teacher, where I developed a deep appreciation for storytelling, community, and the importance of understanding how people and places evolve over time. That foundation led me into school leadership, where I served as an administrator and eventually as a principal. In those roles, I focused heavily on organizational culture, leadership development, and building systems that support both people and long-term success. Read more>>
Pat Gesualdo
Celebrated Drummer/Author/Clinician Pat Gesualdo had numerous disabilities as a child that prevented him from speaking, writing, walking, and being able to use fine motor skills. At the same time, he wanted to become a professional drummer, so he had to develop his own drumming program. He had no idea that the techniques he used as a child to help him play the drums would one day become known as “Drum Therapy” throughout the world. The program unintentionally helped Pat beat all his disabilities 100% by the time he was in Jr. High School. Read more>>
Emmanuel Ford
When I think about NBEF, I’m reminded of a troubled kid growing up in New Brunswick. A kid who did not realize the importance of education … who lacked confidence, direction, and the support that was needed at the time. Read more>>
JD Recobs
Chris and I have been friends since we were seven years old, growing up literally a street apart in Montclair. From day one we had the entrepreneurial bug – lemonade stands, DJ gigs in college, house painting companies – if there was a hustle, we were in it. So in a lot of ways, starting a business was never really a question of if, just what and when. Read more>>
Katarzyna Albertson
I didn’t build Haven Hair Company from a place of ease. I built it as a single mother, raising two boys while chasing a vision I refused to let go of. For me, this industry was never just about doing hair. It was about mastering a craft. I invested years into advanced education, traveling, training, and learning from some of the best in the industry. Read more>>
Eliyahu Serkez
I got into this field through my own experience. In high school, I struggled with pretty severe social anxiety. Like a lot of people, my instinct was to avoid anything that made me uncomfortable. What really helped me wasn’t just therapy in general, but exposure-based therapy—learning to face fears instead of avoiding them. Read more>>
Michael Vargulin
I come from Russian and Belarussian-Jewish parents that immigrated to the United States just a few decades ago. Life has not always been easy but seeing how they overcame obstacles lit a fire in me to succeed and build something of my own. Read more>>
Sonora Foster
I earned my Master of Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania in 1989 and began my career with a deep passion for helping others. Shortly after, I made the intentional decision to step away from professional work to focus on raising my five sons—a role that became one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. Read more>>
Thomas M. Perrotti
Approximately five years ago, I was doing some work for my position as District Deputy in the Knights of Columbus, while in front of my Amateur Radio. I had been a Knight for about six years at that time. Read more>>
Jaime Lyn Geduldick
I went to take my dog for a walk—and bought a coffee shop 🪷☕️💜 At the time, it felt impulsive. But looking back, it was the result of something deeper: a quiet recognition of alignment. My town was missing something—a true specialty coffee experience. The moment it all clicked was ordinary. A friend was visiting and asked if I wanted Dunkin. Read more>>
Marina Mangano
As a college athlete, I fell smoothly into step as a sports chiropractor. After graduating with my license and practicing on athletes in Tulsa, OK, I learned to speak athletic injuries fluently. Read more>>
Camilya Cruz-Tate
I’ve always been an artistic person. From a young age, I was drawn to beauty and creativity, which led me to study both fashion merchandising and business administration in college. Makeup was always something I naturally enjoyed and excelled at—especially shaping and drawing in my eyebrows. Read more>>
Kim Nguyen
I never planned to start an agency. This started with one person I couldn’t stand to watch struggle — my grandmother. She was sitting at her kitchen table trying to figure out her Medicare coverage. Something that should’ve taken an afternoon turned into days. Phone call after phone call. Transferred. Put on hold. Repeating the same information to someone new every time. Read more>>
Keith Thibodeau
As a High School student, I had a strong desire to become a Teacher and right out of college, I became a High School Math Teacher. Read more>>
Connie McSherry Reader
I opened my own therapy practice, A Full Life Counseling, after working in a high school for 20 years. I was initially a school counselor and then the full-time mental health counselor. Read more>>
Elis Haxhistasa
Started to work in Hospitality Industry in 2003 in Venice Italy for Residenza d’Epoca ‘Palazzo Schiavoni’ as a concierge until 2006. At the end of 2006 joined my family in Philadelphia USA. Since then, i’ve worked in many restaurants as a server. Always liked to talk to people and i felt right at home doing what i was doing. Read more>>
Lea Barone
I have always had a love for clothing and fashion. Growing up, I would design my own costumes out of whatever I could find (blankets, pillows, random objects). For as long as I can remember I have had a need to create. Through every major life event, every trauma, and every success – there is art behind it that I have made. Read more>>
Tiffany Spataro
It started as little girl with flat feet. My doctor suggested to my mother that she put me in ballet to strengthen my arches, not knowing it would start a whole knew trajectory for my life. After being in dance for a few years, I was asked to audition for a competitive dance company. Another moment that unknowingly shaped my life. Read more>>
Pedro Futura
…Briefly! I have been in the States since the late 90s, coming from those great islands in the Atlantic called the Canary Islands (Tenerife, specifically). I never had the intention of staying, but one thing leads to another… A big landmark for me was the discovery of FREEFORM radio. Read more>>
