Margaret has a wealth of nonprofit experience in Westfield and beyond. She is a member and past Chair of the Westfield Public Arts Commission, a Board Member of the Morris Museum, a member of the Advisory Council of the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, a member of the Members Committee of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, and an IMAGINE-A Center for Coping and Loss facilitator. She is also a teaching artist and certified therapeutic arts facilitator. Margaret brings a combination of nonprofit experience, arts leadership and a real understanding of the role creativity can play in a community.

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.”

Asima brings decades of nonprofit and urban-planning leadership focused on turning community vision into reality. She most recently served as Chief Program and Engagement Officer for the High Line in New York City, and led the High Line Network – a group of nonprofit public spaces across North America. 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. As a consultant, Asima continues to work with the High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the West Side Cultural Network.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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!

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

Over a 25-year career, Bill has worked across media, entertainment and venues, creating cultural programming, building audiences, developing partnerships, generating revenue and leading teams. He has held senior leadership roles at Rolling Stone, Madison Square Garden and SiriusXM, and has produced content for organizations including the Smithsonian, CBS and Huffington Post. Bill was born and raised in Westfield, seeing movies at the Rialto since it was one big theater. Bill previously served as Rialto Board of Trustees President.

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.”

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.”

Jason brings more than 20 years of experience helping arts and cultural organizations present outstanding performances, grow audiences, and tell stories that resonate. His career has included leadership roles at George Street Playhouse, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), and State Theatre New Jersey, where he has shaped campaigns for Broadway, concerts, comedy, dance, and community-driven programming. Equal parts strategist and storyteller, Jason is passionate about connecting people to live experiences in ways that are both inspiring and impactful. He brings a deep love of the arts, a sharp eye for audience behavior, and a collaborative spirit to every organization he serves.

WISH FOR THE RIALTO:
“My wish for the Rialto is that it becomes a welcoming, inspiring place where people of all ages can gather, experience the arts, and create lasting memories together in the heart of Westfield.”

Elliot is an Arts & Interim Manager and Organizational Consultant, assisting organizations with capital projects, fundraising, operations, change management, and capacity-related issues. As a presenter, educator, and award-winning producer for more than 30 years, he has developed and produced hundreds of plays, workshops, and events with both iconic and early-career artists and partners. He has developed theaters and education programs with Signature Theater Co, Primary Stages, and Fordham University, among others.

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.”