ROB GIARDINELLI | CO-FOUNDER
Curated Texan Co-Founder Rob Giardinelli is an introvert who helps client-facing professionals go from nervous to confident at in-person events to grow their sales and develop deeper relationships. Over the past 15 years, Giardinelli has attended more than 2,000 events, many hosted by the world’s top entertainers, while serving as COO and Senior Social Editor of several luxury lifestyle media platforms that highlight top events in Texas and beyond. Before that, he spent 16 years in the tech world leading national and global sales and brand strategy efforts.
Rob now delivers keynotes, workshops, and consulting services to equip client-facing professionals in the legal, nonprofit, technology, and financial services/wealth management markets with the tools to host or attend any client-facing, revenue-generating event with confidence and a sense of purpose. To learn more about Rob, visit robgiardinelli.com.
LANCE AVERY MORGAN | CO-FOUNDER
For speaking engagements, contact X Level Inc.
Sixth-generation Texan and Curated Texan Co-founder Lance Avery Morgan, a media executive and co-founder of Brilliant, The Society Diaries, and Society Texas magazines (and as an editor for many more), has helmed hundreds of cover stories, photo shoots, and led numerous creative, editorial, and publishing teams to success. Starting his career in media in Los Angeles, he set the stage for creating hundreds of hours of television programming, representing some of the world’s brightest stars for PR, and honed his craft of connecting the social dots at a high level.
He has also hosted and sponsored hundreds of philanthropic events throughout his career. Morgan is also the founder of Texas Luxury Consultants, a consulting firm created to liaise five-star brands with the five-star Texan. A recognized style authority and frequent emcee, Morgan has been honored as a DIFFA Style Ambassador, an Austin American-Statesman Glossy 8 recipient, and a Lone Star StyleSetter, among others. (Portrait photography by Romy Suskin)
JENNIFER SATTERFIELD | CO-FOUNDER
Curated Texan Co-founder Jennifer Satterfield is also the creator of Growing Up Texas, a southern lifestyle digital magazine featuring hospitality, entertainment, and travel advice. Find inspiration for your next gathering or special occasion through her colorful stories as she shares her passion for entertaining and connecting people. Satterfield is also a contributor to seven Brazos Valley and Texas-based publications. The lifestyle articles range from how to start a home renovation project to the best travel destinations in Texas to wedding planning advice and beyond.
MICHAEL SATTERFIELD | CO-FOUNDER
Curated Texan Co-founder Michael Satterfield is an award-winning journalist, traveler, photographer, and lifelong automotive enthusiast who has been featured in Forbes, Hot Rod Magazine, A-Cars, Easy Riders, and many other publications. Satterfield founded the popular men’s lifestyle site, TheGentlemanRacer.com, as a blog in 2002, which has grown to become an online and print magazine, reaching hundreds of thousands of readers every month.
JAMIE CHANDLEE
As a busy working mom of two, Rank & Style CEO Jamie Chandler developed a strong passion for technologies that simplify consumer experiences so people have more time for the parts of their lives, not behind a screen. She and her team contribute with their vision for Rank & Style: to give people back the time they waste digging through endless fashion resources to find the products they like. Chandlee is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and is grateful to be able to help people outside the office through her participation in numerous socially impactful organizations.
ASHLEY DOBSON
A Native Texan, Ashley Dobson is constantly inspired by the world around her and is passionate about sharing her inspirations through words. In her day job, Dobson works as a public outreach consultant, and after hours, you can find her planning her next trip. When not traveling the world, Dobson lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, Cameron, and their Westie, Lizzie. She is a proud graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in journalism. She writes about the best of the best of her travels wide and far.
LORI DURAN
Lori Duran has had a diverse career and currently researches interesting historical stories of social change. This has been her lifelong passion. Duran serves on the board of directors for the Austin History Center Association, where she is involved in coordinating volunteers and helping the Oral History Committee. She also writes articles for Society Texas and other publications and recently authored the book Austin’s Travis Heights Neighborhood. She has released her second book, The University of Texas at Austin: The First One Hundred Years.
KRYSTAL DE LISI & ELLEN MASON
As seen in the Trends section, analyst and founder of THE EDIT ADVISORY, Krystal De Lisi, spent 15 years as Associate Vice President of Design at Victoria’s Secret PINK, where she oversaw all facets of the design strategy and development process, from concept to delivery. Vice President of Marketing & Business Development, Ellen Mason, has 25 years of experience working with some of the best-known brands in fashion and music, including Kenneth Cole Productions and Gibson Musical Instruments. THE EDIT ADVISORY provides fashion entrepreneurs the inspiration and insight they need to develop, produce, and market their brands sustainably and authentically. For more info, visit TheEditAdvisory.com.
JAKE GAINES
Whether finding the best restaurant in Rome overlooking the Colosseum…or taking a private tour of the Queen’s art collection at Buckingham, our cultural enthusiast and arbiter Jake Gaines, a native Texan, is always on the go. Our very own international man of mystery, James Bond, on the social scene, will gladly wield his saber to pop open a bottle of Champagne before advancing into a masked ball. His motto? Bring your passport and wear a tuxedo, since one never knows what will happen. He’s a beloved guest at any dinner party and is known for his disappearing tablecloth trick. When in doubt, he recommends everyone into the pool for a midnight game of what else? Marco Polo.
CALLIIE GORMLEY
Curated Texan Editorial Assistant Callie Gormley is currently attending the University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing a B.S in Public Relations as well as a minor in Business. A Houston native, Gormley has built a strong foundation in strategic communications, writing, and media relations. With a passion for storytelling, she is focused on producing editorial content that highlights and celebrates the very best of Texas culture.
ANA BRIBIESCA HOFF
Writer and enthusiast of all things beauty, fashion, travel, and healthy living-related, our beauty contributor Ana Bribiesca Hoff works in the higher education non-profit sector and has also launched AnaBribs.com. In this new lifestyle blog, she shares her passions, experiences, and special tips along with sneak peeks inside her life, hoping to share large doses of inspiration. In this issue, she reveals the most alluring winter beauty secrets yet.
GORDON KENDALL
Our very fashionable Texan-turned-New Yorker-turned-eternal-Southerner contributor Gordon Kendall is always on the go and on the scene. He is a freelance fashion author and educator. He is also an executive member of the Fashion Group International/New York, a board member of The National Arts Club, and a member of The Couture Council and The Museum at F.I.T.
ANGIE McCOURT
Angie McCourt is a Success + Mindset Coach and the founder of Authentic ME Revolution, where she helps her clients discover their elevated gifts, be true to themselves, and find joy through mindset shifts and actions to create the life they want to live. She is the author of the new transformational non-fiction book, Love Your Gifts: Permission to Revolutionize Authenticity in the Workplace, which offers guidance on activating and using our elevated gifts. McCourt also hosts the podcast, Shifting Inside Out, which features guests who have challenged the status quo and brought their authentic selves to work, along with the vulnerability of their journeys for others to model and learn. McCourt’s book is available on Amazon.com, and she can be found at AngieMcCourt.com.
ANDRA MILLIAN
Andra Millian’s love affair with travel began at the age of twelve when she received the ‘Good Citizenship Award” and planned her family’s first European vacation to Denmark. From enchanting visits to Tivoli Gardens to serene beach picnics under the midnight sun, the experience left an indelible mark. Over the years, Millian’s wanderlust led her across the Himalayas twice and to guide annual small group tours throughout France. Driven by her passion for creating unforgettable travel experiences, she developed a keen eye for avoiding disappointing journeys. She founded A Millian Journeys to ensure every traveler’s adventure meets expectations without stress or complications. Specializing in romantic getaways, family vacations, and bespoke special interest trips, Millian prides herself on being her clients’ personal Auntie Mame of travel, armed with a wealth of connections through AvenueTwo and Virtuoso. Her mission is simple: to transform your journey from planning to return into a seamless, delightful escape where every moment is magical. Andra Millian can help you discover the world with joy and ease—because life is meant to be lived, and your travels should reflect that spirit.
MERRITT NORRIS
Curated Texan Sr. Editorial Assistant Merritt Norris is a recent graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. She received a B.S. in Public Relations with a minor in Business. She was a part of the Texas Media & Analytics program, as well as a member of the Texas Advertising Group. With a passion for writing and an eye for detail, her background and experience span social media management, digital marketing, strategy, public relations, photography, and videography-related roles.
STEPHANIE PUENTE
Stephanie Puente is the founding president of CoreFactor Transformative Coaching and is a certified coach and practitioner of life success principles. Her 25+ years of study and experience working with transformational mindset tools have helped hundreds of people reshape their lives and discover their inherent ability to create and live a full-spectrum life they love. In between teaching and coaching, Stephanie also offers dynamic in-person and virtual presentations, retreats, and workshops to help corporations, organizations, and groups gain greater clarity on their vision and learn strategies to help propel their growth and success forward in business and life.
LEANNE RAESENER
Leanne Raesener was formerly the city editor of Brilliant, The Society Diaries, and Society Texas magazines and is a fifth-generation Texan raised in Austin. She spent most of her career in Manhattan before we were fortunate to have her back in the Lone Star State. After working at Goldman Sachs in Charitable Giving for many years, it only deepened her interest in philanthropy. She supports many charities but holds most near and dear to her heart: her brother, Jack Frederick Raesener’s Scholarship Fund, Ballet Austin, and NYU FACES. Her love of life, generosity, creative style, and word-smithing is a winning combination.
JAY REMER
Our etiquette columnist, Jay Remer, Canada’s Etiquette Guy, catered his first dinner party at the age of 14 and hasn’t looked back since. Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Remer emigrated to Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada, where he owns and operates The Windsor House, an 18th-century residence. Remer produces several shows, which can be viewed on YouTube, for CHCO-TV, New Brunswick, Canada’s only community channel. His bi-weekly newspaper column is published in the Telegraph-Journal in Saint John, NB, Canada. Remer also happily speaks, writes, and teaches civility. His book, The Six Pillars of Civility, is scheduled for release this year.
JENNIFER ROOSTH
The talented and terrifically connected Jennifer Roosth is a Houston-based writer who never ceases to be amazed by the wonderfully generous spirit of the Houston philanthropic community. “It’s nice to live in a city where so many are excited about giving back,” she says. “In the process, they throw some mighty fine parties.”
MARY SCHNEIDER
Resonance Repatterning, a transformative process designed to shift patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that no longer serve us, has been at the core of Rev. Mary Schneider’s work. She has empowered countless people to break free from the limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging habits that often keep them stuck in unfulfilling relationships and circumstances. Her holistic approach provides clients with the tools to foster healthier connections with themselves and others by focusing on alignment, authenticity, and inner balance.
As a master practitioner and passionate advocate of this work for 35 years, Schneider helps clients reconnect with their true selves, leading to deeper understanding, stronger boundaries, and more fulfilling relationships. With her by your side, you’ll redefine your approach to love and discover a sense of clarity that can shift the very trajectory of your life.
CYNTHIA SMOOT
Meet Cynthia Smoot: publicist, freelance lifestyle and travel writer, Dallas influencer, and Southern Belle. Her passion is being a connector, and whether it’s through her role as a publicist for Gangway Advertising, social media, or her freelance work, she loves to shine a spotlight on the people, places, events, and services that give Dallas its flavor. Connect with her on all social media platforms @OhSoCynthia.
DUSTIN WARD
Dustin Ward is a native of the Texas Panhandle. After a decade of managing a law firm for two amazing Amarillo lawyers, Ward pivoted into interior design. The pursuit of beauty and knowledge is at the core of what drives him to experience culture, style, and education while consistently finding sanctuary in the people and the dachshund he loves. Ward is employed with Angeline Guido Design in Dallas and loves sharing his point of view on Curated Texan.
ROSE BETTY WILLIAMS
Wherever there is a wonderful party, there is usually Associate Editor and social chronicler Rose Betty Williams. She also leads symposia, plans events, serves on boards, and supports organizations from OperaAmerica to the Helping Hand Home for Children. Williams also facilitates networking for project and product development. Williams is a longtime Austin resident, freelance writer, and photographer with a passion for fine art, music, wine, books, tennis, food, and life…as well as a deep love for her family and community.