We are pleased to introduce our newest HudCo members. This is an exciting time as our community continues to grow, and we are particularly delighted to see many familiar faces returning. The reconnection with our members is truly rewarding and speaks to the unique sense of collaboration that defines HudCo. To our new members, we look forward to sharing all that HudCo has to offer, and to those returning, welcome back—it’s a pleasure to have you with us once again.
Melissa E. Bekisz
Resides in: Ossining and Greenport
Profession: I’m a solo practitioner attorney who focuses on trust and estates (planning, administration and litigation). I’m also a witch who offers divinatory help, support with navigating the legal system, and bespoke experiences like cleansing spaces and corporate retreats! (Website, Instagram)
Favorite local business: I love the Good Witch Coffee Bar—the golden latte especially!
Fun fact: I’m actually a retired judge. I served a four-year term and was youngest ever elected judge in New York State!
Current TV show you can’t get enough of: The Way Home! I never thought I’d be shouting out a Hallmark television show—but it really is great!
Fabienne Beard-Wright
Resides in: I am a brand new resident of New Rochelle, NY.
Profession: As a Cultural Movement Specialist, I help folks shift their energy through cultural movement practices to combat anxiety and body shame. Follow me on Instagram @fbeardwr and check out my website www.fbeardwr.com
Favorite local business: Shout out to Climbing Wolf Coffee and Beer in Dobbs Ferry. It’s my favorite place to sip and get work done when I’m in town!
Fun fact: I am a proud Jamaican American, (which folks can pretty much guess because I always have a Jamaican flag on me).
Tips for staying focused: I have 2! 1) I like to set goals within goals: Experts say you get more done and feel more accomplished by focusing on three main tasks to complete in the day. 2) I have my people: They support me, motivate me, remind me to care for myself, check in to make sure I’m not overwhelmed and accountable.
Currently watching: Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, on Amazon. Also I’m currently rereading the Twilight series for fun.
What excites me most about HudCo: The community, of course! I am totally thrilled to be a part of this creative wellness collective, and ready to serve and make new friends.
Daniela Carrasco
Resides in: Hastings-on Hudson
Profession: I wear two hats: 1) I run a botanical fine fragrance brand, Linen Tutu (@linentutu) and 2) my day job is within a creative agency (customer experience strategy for healthcare brands).
Favorite local business: I can’t get enough of Antoinette Patisserie’s croissants (in Hastings) and Bloomy Cheese and Provisions’ delectable cheeses (in Dobbs). Oops that was two! 🙈
Fun fact: I was born in Lima, Peru.
Current TV show you can’t get enough of: The Bear!
Stephanie Diamond
Resides in: Cold Spring, NY
Profession: I am an artist, entrepreneur and the CEO of Listings Project. I create communities of collective self-care. (Instagram)
Give a shoutout to one of your favorite local businesses: I am new to the area, so if you see me at HudCo, please share your favorites with me. I don’t have any of my own yet. 🙂
What’s a fun fact about yourself? I lead 5Rhythms dance classes in Cold Spring on the second and last Saturday of each month.
Currently reading: I have been reading this book by Gloria Steinem and it has become my anthem as a woman who is about to turn 50 with a daughter who just entered middle school: The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off.
Mehdi Jamie
Resides in: Chappaqua
Profession: I’ve recently quit my job as the director of AI in a company and hopefully starting my own AI startup.
Favorite local business: I love First Village coffee in Ossining. I’m a regular there.
Fun fact: I have lived in two countries: Iran and the US and have climbed the highest peak in each one!
What book has had the most impact on your life? The Idiot by Dostoevsky.
Favorite tip for staying focused: Go to every app’s setting on your phone and turn off the notifications.
Current TV show you can’t get enough of: Rings of Power on Prime
What excites you most about HudCo? Intentional spaces that invites different modes of work and socializing. I love the design.
Tariq Kenney-Shawa
Resides in: I live right up the hill from HudCo—at 154 Palisade Street!
Profession: I’m a journalist and foreign policy analyst. I’m a US policy fellow at Al-Shabaka, a Palestinian think tank and policy research network and an editor at AJ+. I also write freelance for outlets like The Washington Post, The Nation, and Foreign Policy magazine. (Twitter)
Favorite local business: Big fan of Climbing Wolf—great place to hang out and do work and the cafe/bar idea is great and there should be more of them.
Fun fact: I have 3 cats 🙂
Share your favorite tip for staying focused: I’m not the best at staying focused, so never take advice from me, but classical piano music helps (but mainly coffee)!
Current TV show you can’t get enough of: I’m currently binging The Sopranos. It’s never too late to catch up on the classics.
What excites you most about HudCo? I imagine anyone who works fully remote understands how bad the cabin fever can get sometimes. What excites me most about HudCo is simple—it’s an opportunity to start the day on a healthy footing, get out of my apartment, and break up the routine of working from home.
Ethan Kerr
Resides in: Cold Spring
Profession? I am a racial and gender equity consultant, coach and facilitator with 20 years of experience. I partner with organizations, businesses, schools, individuals as well as couples, in behavioral, systems and cultural transformation.
Give a shoutout to one of your favorite local businesses! Signal Fire Bread—They’re in Peekskill, I’m still learning about everything down here 🙂
What’s a fun fact about yourself? I love dancing and met my spouse on the dance floor 🙂
Current podcast you can’t get enough of: End of the World Show—AMAZING PODCAST!
Talia Kovacs
Resides in: I live in the southernmost part of Irvington, near the aqueduct. I’m lucky to be able to easily walk into Dobbs and Irvington towns.
Profession: I started Calm Connected four years ago, helping parents raise resilient kids. After a career spent in education, I realized (slowly then all at once) that the main way I can support kids in learning, growing, and succeeding is through developing their own resilience muscles. Now, I spend my time supporting parents in implementing systems at home to decrease agitation, get comfortable making mistakes, develop independence, and ultimately increase love and connection at home. You can find me on my LinkedIn, or visit me at taliakovacs.com (I’ve got some freebies for ya there!) Favorite local business: I’ve been going to oHHo in Irvington to help me stay asleep! Their CBD/CBN chocolate is the only thing that helps me not wake up at 3 am. Plus, they’re lovely.
Fun fact: I’m in a deep self-study of ancient Goddess cultures and the ancient Jewish witches and priestesses (yes, there were many!). It’s impacted how I see myself and my understanding of the history of all of humanity. It’s been powerful!! I’d be so, so happy to discuss further if you see me around 🙂
Current book you can’t get enough of: I just read Miranda July’s All Fours (it’s for sale at the front of HudCo at Picture Book!) and it was such a fun romp. She describes this life phase I’m also in of parenting little kids while trying to maintain your own sense of personhood just so perfectly. It’s very well observed. Though I will warn that I recommended it to a friend who found the main character stressful! But I loved the character and the book as a whole.