Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Alfiya Glow
I’m absolutely doing what I was born to do. In the early stages of my journey, as a student and classical musician, I followed the rules and expectations, doing what I thought I was supposed to do. But over time, I began to listen to my own inner voice and trust where my soul was guiding me. Read more>>
Vahagni
I think about this sometimes actually. I never picked my profession. It was given to me by my dad who also was a professional guitarist. I do wonder at times what I would’ve done with myself if otherwise. Maybe it’s both, maybe I was born to be a guitarist and my dad saw that in me. Read more>>
Dhruvi Darji
I’d say to an extent, yes. I don’t completely believe in putting my entire identity out there on social media or as a public figure; and honestly, who really does? If someone assumes that what they see online is someone’s full reality, they’re mistaken. There’s always so much more happening behind the scenes that we don’t see or even understand. Read more>>
Na’eem Walton
The public me is just one part of who I am. I pride myself on being multifaceted, with many layers to my personality. The saying about having a public life, a private life, and a secret life really resonates with me. Read more>>
Melissa Staroszik
What I’m most proud of building can’t be photographed — it’s the resilience, faith, and discipline that live beneath the surface of everything I create. I’ve built a quiet foundation of peace after years of chaos — from surviving stage 3 colon cancer to rebuilding a company and a life that reflect what truly matters. Read more>>
Jason William Galbraith Rollo Stuart Bruce
What I’m most proud of building is my brand — “Greatest Author of My Generation.” #GAOMG Twenty years ago, I knew I would become who I am today. Read more>>
Bernice Chao
As a child of immigrants, I grew up believing that success meant doing everything on my own—that capable people had to figure out their own path without help. Over time, I’ve learned that true strength comes from humility and connection. Read more>>
Darien Martus
When I was a child, I believed I was supposed to fit in, to be like everyone else. I was never able to do this and it caused me much pain. Now, I realize that I’m a unique individual and I’m so thankful that I DID NOT conform or fit in because I’ve become the individual that I am today. Read more>>
Jasmyn Carter
That there’s no such thing has forever. There’s an expiration date on everything: people, places, things, relationships. We are only given a certain amount of time on this earth and we do what we can out of it, and spend it with the people we want but nothing lasts forever and that’s okay. Read more>>
Jesus Presinal
One thing I’ve learned that many people often overlook is that the level of celebrity does not matter, wins, and glamour don’t define us. What truly matters is inspiring and uplifting others, leaving a meaningful legacy, and being a positive leader in a world so often clouded by division and hate. Read more>>
Joel Junior
In the moment we are born we have this energy to live that is very limited. I realized I wasted so much of that energy caring about what others think, trying to please my religious beliefs, dictating how people should live their lives, basically trying to rob their free will given by God. Read more>>
Linnea Hodson
Getting in my creative energy is something that makes the rest of the world melt away…and helps me come back home to myself. Creativity can show up in a lot of ways, and I think it’s important to go wherever I’m being led. Some days, I paint. Sometimes, it’s creating jewelry or making a vision board. Read more>>
Florian Mavridorakis
One project I’m fully committed to, no matter how long it takes, is our upcoming album Icarus. It’s a concept record that uses the myth of Icarus as a metaphor for human ambition — how the same drive that lifts us up can also bring us down. Read more>>
Shauna La
I’m deeply committed to realizing my large-scale multi-room installations, sculptures, and paintings. These projects take time—they demand patience, funding, and the right conditions—but they represent the fullest expression of my work. I see them as immersive environments where form, light, color, and material can completely shift how we experience space and perception. Read more>>
Sumi Siegel
My first thought regarding this question was that it’s a leading one because everyone will and should choose ‘integrity’, so I dismissed it and tried to select another question to answer instead. But I kept getting pulled back to it. Read more>>
Meridith Newby
Integrity is most important to me. This attribute is foundational in creating self esteem and building strong relationships. It’s the catalyst in building trust. I believe that your integrity is integral to determining who you are as person and how others perceive you. Read more>>
Annette Bedrossian
Peace, for me, manifests in various forms. Emotional peace arises when I find myself in the mountains, sipping coffee while surrounded by pine trees and wildlife. In relation to my work, I experience peace when a project reaches completion and we receive news of its acceptance into festivals. Read more>>
ALEXANDRA LUNARDON
my father taught me the essential difference between simply being busy and committing to quality. He always said that a job worth doing is worth doing well. Read more>>
DeShawn Wynn
I would have to restructure the question. For much of my life, like so many others, I walked in the direction of who the world told me to be. It wasn’t until the last seven years that I realized I had been sleepwalking, moving through life without truly living by design. Read more>>
Brittany Macc
I’ve always created my own path in life. There’s always been a little voice in the back of my head telling me, “Maybe it’s time to get a real job, something more mindless so you don’t have to worry about finding your next gig every month.” But the truth is, who I am is a creative and a musician. Read more>>
Tamra Meskimen
This is what we try to teach our actors: focus on doing your best work, and don’t get caught up in seeking praise. There are countless reasons one might not be chosen for a role—many of which are completely out of one’s control. Read more>>
Serrin Joy
Honestly, sometimes I feel like I’ve been doing this forever — not just singing, but creating, building my art. I love my released songs, my vault of unreleased demos, the characters I dream up, etc… And the wild part? I’ve only been in this industry for a little over four years. Read more>>
Shanequa Reed
Actually, just recently I had to stand up for the group and sacrifice my life. We were trying to escape before a notorious serial killer made their way to our room. I ended up jumping into a casket—only to realize that everyone’s fate depended on me making it out the other side. Read more>>
Kya Bliss
It is part of my mission to stand up for the vulnerable beings of this world. I know how it feels like to need an ally in the face of injustice and my heart wouldn’t feel right abandoning someone in need. Read more>>
Lisa Malcolm
I look for endurance and impact. A fad creates noise, but a true shift changes behavior, language, and long term strategy. I pay attention to what remains after the excitement fades. If something continues to shape how people think, connect, or create, it is a real shift worth building on. Read more>>
Psilo Sage
Great Question! We Definitely Live In A Time Where Art Moves Swiftly, The Genres, The Fashion, The Culture, Completely Shifts So Often That It Can Be Easy To Get Swept Away In It All; And Can Easily Be Left Constantly Chasing The Latest Wave That Really Has Already Passed. Read more>>
David Kennedy
The design industry constantly churns out trends that become ‘markers’ of relevance—signals that a project is current, aware, plugged in. Implementing the latest Pantone Color of the Year or applying ‘waterfall’ details to countertops might give a project a contemporary look, but the overall effect can end up feeling staid and shallow, even dated within a few years. Read more>>
ROHINI BEDI
If I knew I had only 10 years left, I wouldn’t stop doing anything — instead, I’d seek out even more to create, complete, and achieve. Having been fortunate to travel widely when I was younger, my focus now is on giving back to society in every way I can. Read more>>
Jennifer Rodriguez
If I laid down my name, my role, and everything I’ve built, what would remain is the part of me that listens deeply, intuitively, without trying to fix or force. The part that can sit in stillness and trust that the next chapter always reveals itself when you stop trying to control it. Read more>>
Yi (Evelyn) Gong
If I retired tomorrow, our customers would most miss the personal guidance and thoughtful connections we provide. Beyond offering exceptional artworks, we help collectors navigate the art world, discover pieces that truly resonate, and feel confident in their choices. They’d miss the combination of expertise, trust, and the human touch that makes every interaction with Pinto Gallery meaningful. Read more>>
