Join us for an interactive panel discussion on what it means to pivot in life and career. Lauren Schwarzfeld will lead a discussion amongst those who’ve navigated this path and gain insight on each journey. 

There will be time for Q&A and mingling at the end. We invite fellow pivoters, those who are pivot-curious, supporters and anyone who wonders what it might be like to try something completely new!

Enjoy bites by Tout le Fromage. Beverages will be provided.

Photos by (clockwise from upper left): Fay Fox, Natalie Pigliacampo, Fay Fox, and Melissa Hamburg.

About the Panelists

Xenia D’Ambrosi – Xenia D’Ambrosi is lead designer and farmer-florist at Sweet Earth Co., a floral and landscape design studio located on a sustainable flower farm in Pound Ridge, NY. In 2010, after receiving a cancer diagnosis, Xenia turned to the earth; growing organic food, herbs and flowers that were nurturing to the mind and body. Having her hands in the soil brought Xenia healing and ignited her passion for sustainable gardening and horticulture. In 2012, Xenia started Sweet Earth Co. which specializes in growing, designing and teaching sustainable gardening and floristry.

Xenia earned a Master’s in Public Health and an MBA from Columbia University, as well as a certificate in gardening and sustainable practices through The New York Botanical Garden. She is the author of articles regarding sustainable floristry and gardening and has led various workshops and educational events about design,
flower farming, eco-gardening, and herbal wellness.

Kelly Duffield – Kelly Duffield returned to painting in 2017 after a nearly 25 year hiatus from making art. After studying art in undergrad, Kelly turned her back on art and took a path of financial security. She attended law school and went on to practice business, corporate and real estate law in three states. Finally shucking the identity and security of a practicing lawyer, Kelly now lives and works full-time as an artist in New York.

Tambra (Tami) McCarthy – Tami McCarthy’s most recent venture is TAMBRA Collective, a local/global platform for the modern soul seeker. TAMBRA is the culmination of Tami’s experiences – both professionally and personally – with a mission to spark joy and ignite transformation through a variety of touchpoints and activations.

The venture is a follow up to her eco-conscious lifestyle shop and community hub KAHLO Collective, which debuted in Pound Ridge in 2018, and won Best of Westchester in 2022. Tami is known for her special events and programming designed to inspire greater conversations and deeper connections between people and planet. From mindful workshops to elevated sip-n-paint experiences, from pop-up dinners and artisan appearances to world-renowned healers and holistic practitioners, Tami is passionate about what she calls “the art of life.” Most recently, Tami expanded her offerings to include guided meditation and mobile wellness events.

Prior to these ventures, Tami McCarthy was the CEO of The McCarthy Group, an award-winning Madison Avenue branding and PR Consultancy for over 20 years with clients in media, tech, fashion, beauty and finance. She also launched her own clean beauty and candle company, TAMBRA: sea + botanicals, as well as a subscription commerce enterprise, Salty Bath – a Meditation Retreat In A Box – as part of her holistic holding company, Gallarus Ventures. McCarthy is also active in Performing Arts, and a trained actress with credits in theater, TV, film and commercials. She is currently writing her one-woman show inspired by a true story.

Tami is most proud of being mom to her 3 awesome sons, and enjoys exploring the woods in her backyard in Connecticut with her husband Dan.

Jess Watts – Jessica Watts is a local real estate agent specializing in sustainability. As a real estate investor, contractor’s daughter, and former LEED AP (United States Green Building Council), Jess believes sustainability, homes and community are directly linked and focuses on events that bring people together. Real Estate is more than homes, it is people. Prior to being a Realtor, Jess shifted from a LEED Accredited Professional, to becoming a United States Tennis Professional and Tournament Director before finding Real Estate. 

About the Moderator

Lauren Schwarzfeld – Lauren Schwarzfeld, best-selling author of Unboxed: Essays on Learning to Trust Myself So I Could Stop Doing the Things I Hate, is a writer, and coach whose work has also appeared online and in the best-selling anthology The Addiction Diaries. Lauren is endlessly curious, a lover of books, travel and new adventures. Lauren is the Director of Marketing + Publicity for Rise Books, a publishing company dedicated to supporting emerging authors while bringing their radical works of inspiration to life. She works with authors and clients to share their stories in authentic and inspiring ways. As Lauren has spent the past 25 years navigating through various industries, careers and jobs, she’s realized that the most powerful part of a storied work history is the wide variety of human connection. These experiences have led her to prioritize “who we are” over “what we do”, something she brings into every new interaction. Lauren lives in Mt Kisco with her husband, three children and two dogs.

Photo by Jen Mullowney