Leadership
Tap into our collective thinking.
HNW is a culture of contributors, not a cult of personality. So the clients that partner with us benefit from the views and expertise of each member of our team, rather than the reputation of one individual. Our senior management team comes from a diverse range of backgrounds—management consulting, e-commerce, advertising and journalism—but we’re united by our shared curiosity and passion for the work.
Stacey Haefele, President & CEO
Ideal project?
The kind where the answer is not easy.
Proudest moment?
I’m hoping it’s still in front of me.
Toughest challenge?
Managing my own psychology.
Greatest inspiration?
The Tao Te Ching
Favorite neighborhood eats?
Ippudo for ramen, Soccarat for paella, 11 Madison Park for cocktails and cheese puffs, Craft (or anything Tom Colicchio) for obvious reasons, Eisenberg’s sandwich (you either get it or you don’t!).
Perfect vacation?
Safari in the Okavango Delta in Botswana is hard to beat. So far.
Guilty pleasure?
Macaroni and cheese; People magazine; all forms of romantic comedy, no matter how bad; show tunes.
Hero/heroine?
Too many to name.
Personal theme song?
It’s more of a mixtape, lately featuring a LOT of The Who.
Life motto?
If you aren’t [getting on the nerves of] at least one person a day, you are probably not alive.
Kevin Darlington, Managing Director, Client Solutions
Ideal project?
New product development.
Proudest moment?
The birth of my daughters.
Toughest challenge?
Thinking years ahead instead of weeks ahead.
Favorite neighborhood eats?
DeFonte’s of Brooklyn. Specifically, the Nicky Special.
Perfect vacation?
Road trip and national parks with the family.
Personal theme song?
“Anvil of Crom” by Basil Poledouris.
Life motto?
No Mottos. The Dude Abides.
Brian Raphael, VP Finance
Ideal project?
Orchestrate a Google-esque IPO for HNW.
Proudest moment?
Getting NY to reverse their sales tax liability opinion.
Toughest challenge?
Getting NY to reverse their sales tax liability opinion.
Favorite neighborhood eats?
The gourmet deli/buffet on 5th and 22nd, the gourmet deli/buffet on 21st and Park, and the gourmet deli/buffet on 24th and Park.
Perfect vacation?
Dividing a year evenly between some of my favorite cities in Asia: Hanoi, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon).
Guilty pleasure?
The gourmet deli/buffet on 5th and 22nd, the gourmet deli/buffet on 21st and Park, and finally the gourmet deli/buffet on 24th and Park.
Kevin Smith, Group Director, Consulting Services
Ideal project?
One in which the right answer surprises everyone.
Greatest inspiration?
Those who overcome life-altering adversity.
Favorite neighborhood eats?
Shake Shack—Portobello mushroom burger is the best!
Perfect vacation?
A week in Paris, doing nothing but seeing friends and eating great food.
Desert-island bookshelf?
Two subscriptions: The Economist and Entertainment Weekly (go figure).
Guilty pleasure?
Overpriced single malt.
Hero/heroine?
Alexander Hamilton.
Personal theme song?
“Don’t Stop Believin’ ”
Life motto?
See above.
Leslie Paladin, Managing Director, Retail Banking
Ideal project?
Business-building challenges where I either start with nothing or have the opportunity to make the commonplace compelling.
Proudest moment?
There are so many … the HNW Creative team rocks!
Toughest challenge?
Probably getting to my 6:30 a.m. yoga class.
Greatest inspiration?
My husband, Rainer, is always a source of inspiration.
Favorite neighborhood eats?
Salty dining via the pretzel guy outside my office or Le Verdure at Eataly.
Perfect vacation?
Any place requiring a pith helmet and a lot of sunscreen. Abu Simbel (Egypt) and Angkor Wat (Cambodia) come to mind.
Guilty pleasure?
Emailing my friends the “joke for the day.”
Hero/heroine?
One of my favorite pharaohs, Queen Hatshepsut, whose accomplishments include building Deir el-Bahri, establishing trading partners and boldly ruling Egypt during the 18th Dynasty, peacefully. Wow, what a gal!
Personal theme song?
“Heaven for Everyone” sung by Freddie Mercury, Queen.
Life motto?
“Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.” —Dalai Lama
Anthony Del Russo, Creative Director, UX & Design
Ideal project?
When technology and design are in perfect harmony.
Proudest moment?
The birth of my daughter and son
Toughest challenge?
Thinking of my toughest challenge…still thinking…
Greatest inspiration
Browsing The FWA
Favorite neighborhood eats?
Pete’s Steakhouse…Sunday Bar Pies and Old Bay Wings!
Perfect vacation?
Family. Sun. Sand. Water. No Phone. No Tablet. No Computer.
Guilty pleasure?
Shhh….Watching The House Wives of Orange County.
Hero/heroine?
John McClane, hands down.
Personal theme song?
“You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito (Karate Kid Championship Montage Song)
Life motto
“No Limits”
Barry Goldberg, Chief Technology Officer
Ideal project?
Always the next one
Proudest moment?
Up until now the birth of my daughters, but I believe the best is ahead of me.
Greatest inspiration?
Those who persevere, innovate and disrupt
Favorite Food Genre?
Molecular gastronomy, I mean BBQ
Perfect vacation?
One where I can relax (not a given). Most likely sand and a wifi will be involved.
Guilty pleasure?
Amazon
Hero/heroine?
Bill Gates & Steve Jobs - cliché I know, but look at me.
Life motto?
Recognize when people surprise you.
Carol Eversen, Managing Director – Client Services
Ideal project?
Solving a challenging problem in a way that adds real value
Proudest moment?
All the major moments of my kids’ lives
Toughest challenge?
Evolving for tomorrow while delivering today
Greatest inspiration?
Elegant design
Favorite neighborhood eats?
China Grill, Ninety Acres
Perfect vacation?
Three days of skiing followed by three days at the beach!
Guilty pleasure?
Chocolate!
Hero/heroine?
Everyday people who help others
Personal theme song?
Definitely situational-dependent
Life motto?
Be present in the moment
Bob Ferretti, Group Director, Digital Tools
Ideal project?
Any project that I can solve a problem for a client with a technology solution.
Proudest moment?
I have two – the births of my kids.
Toughest challenge?
Raising kids.
Greatest inspiration?
Everyday acts of kindness inspire me. Seeing my co-workers volunteer efforts, our clients’ philanthropic efforts and my own family’s work in our respective communities.
Favorite neighborhood eats?
The Shine Deli’s sausage, egg and cheese sandwich – with a healthy serving of hot sauce.
Perfect vacation?
A week without cell service anywhere in the world.
Guilty pleasure?
Chocolate
Hero/heroine?
Superman, Is there any other?
Personal theme song?
Heigh-Ho from Snow White and the 7 Dwarves
Life motto?
My dad had a tie clip that said “YCDBSOYA”. I think about it every day.
Susan Chung, Chief Operating Officer
Ideal project?
Anything that requires creative problem solving
Proudest moment?
When I decided to stick with a company that survived a major setback and helped turn it around with loyal clients who stuck by us.
Toughest challenge?
I prefer to think about this question as a glass half full
Greatest inspiration?
My first boss - a visionary who truly loved his job. That passion was reflected in his work and culture of the company. You can’t fake that.
Favorite neighborhood eats?
Gramercy Tavern’s house-made kielbasa, Defonte’s (subs), Korean chicken noodle & dumpling soup at Arirang made from scratch, Eisenberg’s egg & tuna salad… I could go on forever
Perfect vacation?
Anywhere outdoors but if it’s in the mountains, even better
Guilty pleasure?
Scrapple. My husband introduced me to it. Better to not look at the ingredients.
Hero/heroine?
Can’t pick one
Personal theme song?
Beautiful Day by U2
Life motto?
Don’t play the victim
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