44 THE QUEENS COURIER •RISING STARS •JANUARY 24, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com rising stars JANUARY 31, 2013 H H H H s ANN O’CONNOR HHIdea person and founder of Zoescope Studio, Ann O’Connor is anZoescope StudioCultural Collaborator urban wanderer, foodie, lover of life and all things “Queens.” As independent promoter of the arts, O’Connor brings like-minded H people together to do great and fun things. With her partners, she makes art more accessible by creating experiences in alternative venues. Her fi rst project was “In & Out of Time” with local panoramic artist Rafael O. Gonzalez. Before starting Zoescope, O’Connor made stops at media companies like Scholastic, National Geographic and Meredith, as well as fi rms whose clients includ- H ed: Rizzoli, Leo Castelli, Pace, Art Students League,Work & Play: I am so grateful that I get to work andWhat do you love most about this job?National Academy, and The Winter Antiques Show. What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken either inHA major career transition. Leaving the stability of play every day with my favorite people in my favorite places. I meet inspiring entrepreneurs, community leaders, artists, activists with exciting ideas, products and services who really love what they do your life or in this business? H all relate to, bringing us into all the stuff of life, love people from multicultural backgrounds andWafa Abboud has been the Chief ExecutiveHuman First, Inc.Offi cer of Human First, Inc. since 2009 and theAssociate Executive Director of Human Firstfrom 2001 to 2009. She founded Human Firstto serve people with special needs, especiallythe glorious. from the gritty, glitzy, and HABBOUDWAFAFounder and Chief ExecutiveOfficerShakespeare is probably my favorite writer. He Who’s your favorite speaker or author?and dreamscape:gracefully told the stories and wrote the poems weguilty towork independently in the local arts scene.“the corporate world,” of media and publishing to FRANK RUSSO III had an outstanding compliance record, exceed-One of her goals was to start an agency thatunderserved communities. Manager H highly personal service to people with spe-ing regulatory expectations, while providing Russo’s on the Bay cial needs. Her service delivery paradigm is to Work was always a tremendous part of our lives. All of our family maintain personal relationships while delivering occasions were split between The Villa and The Bay. It feels like my quality care. She has accomplished this by hir- whole life was spent inside catering halls and restaurants. Some of ing clinical workers who are well trained and the best memories I have as a kid are rolling dough and stuffi ng are committed to achieving measurable progress mushrooms or especially being taught how to make amazing towards achieving the goals of the people they dishes in our own kitchen by my father. So naturally I started work with. in the business young with a knack for it. As a respected member of her community, I’ve been lucky enough to work all aspects of the business: Abboud has been recognized by the Queens dishwasher, prep cook, line cook, expeditor, runner, server, County Progressive Democratic Club for her valet, purchasing and more. I’m blessed to be able to work outstanding achievement in leadership. She has with my father and learn from him each and every day. He is also been honored for her contributions to the one man I truly look up to and hope to be like as I follow her fi eld by the New York City Council Arab in his footsteps. I’m truly grateful to be where I am today and American Cultural Celebration Committee. help build off the foundation we were given. I love knowing What do you love most about your business? the fact that this is where I belong and where I will be for It is a privilege working with people in need, my future. What do you love most about your job? their dreams.helping to make their lives easier and fulfi lling The best part of this job is being a part of all types of special occasions, being able to see so many happy faces What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken? and knowing we took part in creating such memories for I started Human First during a time of systemic all these families. change, with more stringent regulations and less What motivates you? available funding than in prior years. Despite My family and the past. I’m blessed to be a part of the these obstacles, I decided to move forward with Russo name and legacy. Each generation only wants Human First because I knew that I had a won- the best for the next and builds and creates for them. derful board of directors behind me, the support God willing I will be able to continue that and pass on of the families I made commitments to serve and our creation/progression. a fantastic leadership team who would persevere If you can have dinner with any person living, through any challenges and make Human First historical or fi ctitious, who would it be? succeed. Both my grandfathers and my Uncle Joe. I What’s the best piece of advice you would unfortunately never got the chance to meet my father’s mother nor my Uncle Joe. And give to the upcoming Rising Stars? my father’s father I would love to sit with Stay goal oriented, mission focused, and qual- and talk to again. They were the ones ity driven. It doesn’t matter what fi eld you are in, who set the foundation for all we are today these are some of the keys to success. and all we can be.
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