Bill is an award-winning media executive. He is a former writer and editor for Rolling Stone and has led digital content teams for AOL, Huffington Post, SiriusXM, Pandora, and Madison Square Garden. Bill has produced shows for CBS, Audible, and the Smithsonian’s Museum of African American History and Culture, where he interviewed public figures from Beyoncé to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“My first Rialto memory was seeing JAWS on the marquee … and I saw dozens of movies there with my kids. I want to see our beloved theater evolve to serve ALL of our community’s creative passions: from film to music to art.”

Margaret is a teaching artist and a certified therapeutic arts facilitator in the Creative Journal Expressive Arts method. She is an avid community arts advocate and the Chair of the Westfield Public Arts Commission. Margaret is a CASA in Union County, an IMAGINE facilitator, and a council member of the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center at the University of Notre Dame.

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I'm excited for Westfield to have a jolt of creative energy in a community space—A venue for all ages to appreciate and get involved in the arts in all forms; a place that will allow children to experiment in various creative outlets and build self-confidence.”

Steve is of counsel with the law firm of Bramnick, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan and is a former managing partner of Craner, Satkin & Scheer. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Central Legal Services and chairs its Grievance Committee.  

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“The Rialto Center for Creativity is the outgrowth of years of hard work by an extremely talented and diverse group of Board members. Their vision is now becoming a reality: a creative arts center that will energize not only Westfield but the entire region.”

Gary is a former antitrust attorney at Paul Hastings LLP. He served as Chair for the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section and currently volunteers with the Presbyterian Church of Westfield.

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I’m excited to see how the community makes use of this flexible performance space. We built the Riatlo with flexibility in mind, allowing all aspects of creativity to be pursued across different programming types. I know Westfield and our neighbors will deliver, and I’m excited to participate.”

Beth is a community volunteer with experience as an investment advisor, management consultant, and private college counselor. She is a former elected member of the Westfield Board of Education and the past president of the Westfield Foundation. Beth served as president of the board for its first three years.  

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“Everyone in our community can benefit from having a place to gather and get creative. Whether it’s attending a film and talk series, sitting at the Rialto’s cafe listening to live music, or spending an afternoon in a workshop, I can’t wait to see how Westfield makes use of this space we’re building.”

Asima is a non-profit consultant who served as the Chief Program and Engagement Officer at the High Line in New York City. Her career has spanned the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on the social and economic impacts of place-based policies and programs.

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“It's so important, especially in our digital age, to have spaces that bring our diverse communities together in person to be inspired and build things together. I'm excited to be creating a space that helps unlock each person's individual creative potential, while preserving an important historic asset and driving economic investment in our town.”

Carl is a partner at Bramnick, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan. He has over thirty-five years of experience as a trial lawyer representing companies in complex litigation. Carl served as a Judicial Clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Carl sits on the Board of Directors of the Westfield YMCA and More Than Bootstraps. He served two terms as a Westfield Town Councilman from 1998 to 2002.  

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I have many memories of going with my wife and family to the Rialto over the years.  The closing of this theater was heartbreaking. Its transformation will create a center for culture, community sharing, and the arts in the heart of Westfield, where people can see, make, experience, and learn about the visual and performing arts. It is the most exciting project I have ever been involved in.”

Carol is the former VP for the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT), where she oversaw a $1.2 billion multi-investment plan in New York City. She has developed and financed catalytic affordable housing and economic development projects throughout the country during her 34-year career.  

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“The historic Rialto theater was a staple of our community’s economy and culture. The Rialto Center for Creativity is going to be all that and more—I’m looking forward to seeing people from all over the area visit the Rialto and how the theater brings a new dimension to our town’s landscape.”

Dawrell is a pastor-scholar, educator, and community builder with expertise in architecture, planning, and theology. He serves as Chaplain at Church Farm School and Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University, where he empowers communities and equips socially conscious leaders for transformative impact.

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I am most excited to see the Rialto bring a renewed appreciation for and involvement in the arts in downtown Westfield.”

Dawn is the Executive Director of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance. In addition to being a downtown revitalization professional, she is also a former Westfield Councilwoman and the Creative Director of AddamsFest.

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“My hope for the Rialto is that it emerges as a premier cultural destination, positioned as the anchor to our Downtown. And that it draws visitors from neighboring communities, drives shoppers and diners to our businesses, and serves as the backdrop to countless memories for our residents.”

Ian is the president of Ensemble, a brand-funded entertainment studio he co-founded with actress, writer, producer, and entrepreneur Issa Rae. He is an award-winning 25+ year veteran of the media & entertainment industries and the founder and former CEO of iconic advertising agency Deep Focus.

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I'm excited for the Rialto to be a community hub that inspires multiple generations of local residents to explore the bounds of their creativity and to participate, support, learn, and engage with others as they do the same – for both personal and professional growth.”

Kirti is a physical therapist and owner of On The Spot Therapy with over 25 years of experience managing a private practice. She is a community volunteer, including PTO leadership, and helping manage the Westfield Area CSA (community supported agriculture).  She is a steward for the arts. 

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I’m looking forward to re-igniting a 100-year-old building to meet the community's desire for a space to come together to create and experience talent in all its forms. I can’t wait to see this iconic, beloved building restored and re-imagined, so our kids can make memories here, too!

Richard is the former Director of Production Management at CBS Broadcasting, where he earned multiple Emmy awards and led the team that designed, engineered, and restored the Sullivan Theater. 

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I'm most excited to bring the Rialto back to life in a new and more relevant way, and to once again become the focus of engagement for the people of Westfield and the surrounding area.”

Stacey is a former WPP executive, where she led several agencies and partnered with global companies like Johnson & Johnson. She launched an independent advertising consultancy to help deliver world-class client experience, and was recognized by the industry in 2022 with an induction into the Medical Advertising Hall of Fame.   

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I am most excited to see how the Rialto inspires young talent by exposing them to new ideas, creative possibilities, and future opportunities.”

Tom is a founding and co-managing partner at Jardim Meisner Salmon Sprague & Susser, PC, a 25-attorney, general practice firm located in Florham Park and Red Bank, NJ.  He serves on various non-profit boards and formerly served as the mayor of the Town of Westfield.

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I'm most excited about the Rialto being the ‘community living room’ of the town, a place that is active and alive morning, noon, and night. I’m interested in having a place where the decorative arts, like crafts, wood art, sculpture, and functional art can be taught, learned, created, and displayed.”

Elliot is an Arts & Interim Manager and Organizational Consultant, assisting organizations with change management, capital projects, fundraising, operations, and capacity-related issues.  As an award-winning producer, he has developed and produced more than 125 plays and workshops in New York, nationally, and abroad with a tremendous roster of artists and partners. 

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“I love to build theaters and am thrilled to have the opportunity to transform the historic Rialto to provide a cultural destination for this wonderful community and region.”

Since forcing her family to join Hands Across America in Warinanco Park in 1986, Jill has been fundraising to create the spaces and the opportunities that build a better world. She has led teams to raise more than $1 billion and specializes in nurturing relationships that enable generous people to invest in the causes in which they believe. 

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:

“Communities only thrive when their members feel a connection and responsibility to each other, and that isn’t possible without spaces to gather and share ideas. I’m excited to help create such a space on a footprint where I’ve spent so many hours of my life.”