Leadership
Tap into our collective thinking.
HNW is a culture of contributors, not a cult of personality. So the clients that partner with us benefit from the views and expertise of each member of our team, rather than the reputation of one individual. Our senior management team comes from a diverse range of backgrounds—management consulting, e-commerce, advertising and journalism—but we’re united by our shared curiosity and passion for the work.
Stacey Haefele, President & CEO
Ideal project
The kind where the answer is not easy.
Proudest moment
I’m hoping it’s still in front of me.
Toughest challenge
Managing my own psychology.
Greatest inspiration
The Tao Te Ching
Favorite neighborhood eats
Ippudo for ramen, Soccarat for paella, 11 Madison Park for cocktails and cheese puffs, Craft (or anything Tom Colicchio) for obvious reasons, Eisenberg’s sandwich (you either get it or you don’t!).
Perfect vacation
Safari in the Okavango Delta in Botswana is hard to beat. So far.
Guilty pleasure
Macaroni and cheese; People magazine; all forms of romantic comedy, no matter how bad; show tunes.
Hero/heroine
Too many to name.
Personal theme song
It’s more of a mixtape, lately featuring a LOT of The Who.
Life motto
If you aren’t [getting on the nerves of] at least one person a day, you are probably not alive.
Dan Slivjanovski, EVP Services
Ideal project
Anything that meets the following criteria: (1) big opportunity for strategy definition; (2) execution that’s complex and integrated; (3) an initiative that adds critical value to the enterprise.
Proudest moment
The day my son was born (tied in first place with the day my daughter was born).
Toughest challenge
Preventing the skyscrapers of paper on my desk from collapsing.
Greatest inspiration
Stephen Hawking has to have a place at the top of my list. I’m moved by anyone who strives to achieve in the face of adversity.
Favorite neighborhood eats
Volume factors heavily in my choice of dining establishment, so no tapas please. I live in Tribeca, and the burger at Odeon is hard to beat. Also love the Pakistani Tea House for pure fuel.
Perfect vacation
Off the grid—that perfect combination of nature in full glory, fun activities to do with my kids and delicious, simple food. If culture is present, that’s a big bonus. It’s a coin toss between surfing Trinidad and hiking Machu Picchu.
Life motto
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield (“Ulysses” by Tennyson).
Lisa Fabiano, General Manager
Ideal project
Staffing a team for a new client.
Proudest moment
Anytime the team wows the client.
Toughest challenge
Making everyone happy.
Favorite neighborhood eats
Frank Pepe Pizzeria … the best pizza.
Perfect vacation
The Amalfi Coast with my husband.
Life motto
Do the right thing.
Kevin Darlington, SVP Digital Products
Ideal project
New product development.
Proudest moment
The birth of my daughters.
Toughest challenge
Thinking years ahead instead of weeks ahead.
Favorite neighborhood eats
DeFonte’s of Brooklyn. Specifically, the Nicky Special.
Perfect vacation
Road trip and national parks with the family.
Personal theme song
“Anvil of Crom” by Basil Poledouris.
Life motto
No Mottos. The Dude Abides.
Drew Mayer, SVP Creative Director
Ideal project
Whatever’s next.
Proudest moment
When the final outcome surpasses the initial vision.
Toughest challenge
Realizing the initial vision.
Greatest inspiration
Professional: David Abbott, founder of Abbott Mead Vickers.
Avocational: Don DeLillo, author of White Noise.
Favorite neighborhood eats
Chicken tacos from the Naranja truck (find them with the Eat St. app).
Perfect vacation
Maine with my wife and daughter.
Guilty pleasure
Blackwing pencils ($19.95 for a dozen).
Hero
Atticus Finch.
Life Motto
“ ’Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free, ’tis the gift to come down where we ought to be” (from a Shaker hymn).
Desert island reading list
Masters of Atlantis (Portis); Black Swan Green (Mitchell); The Shipping News (Proulx).
Heather McKim, SVP Strategy & Interactive
Ideal project
Anything I haven’t done before.
Proudest moment
Finishing two years in the Peace Corps.
Toughest challenge
Finishing two years in the Peace Corps … and public speaking … and accounting (boo).
Perfect vacation
Mozambique, 1999, spent entire days without seeing a soul, ate lobster every night harvested by little boys in pitch-encrusted rowboats, discovered Dao wine, drank the hotel out of it, and subsequently discovered that it is possible (though not recommended) to combine red wine and Coke, got dropped off on a deserted island surrounded by coral reef. If I had my way, I’d still be there.
Guilty pleasure
Swiss Miss hot chocolate and cheap Hormel chili with bright orange cheddar cheese after a day of skiing. Mmmmmmm. Oh, and Trueblood.
Heroine
You know, I gotta say that Wonder Woman pops right into my head. I think the world would be a better place if all women had access to an invisible jet and a golden truth lasso.
Personal theme song
“Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles.
Life motto
“Speed eliminates all doubt. Am I smart enough? Will people like me? Do I really look all right in this plastic jumpsuit?” ―David Sedaris
Matt Warren, SVP Technology Operations
Ideal project
Perfecting cold fusion.
Proudest moment
When people I’ve taught go on to achieve great things.
Toughest challenge
Realizing the wrong turn and convincing people we have to turn around.
Greatest inspiration
Fine tools and the people who know how to use them.
Favorite neighborhood eats
Steak tips from Butcher Boy, grilled in my backyard.
Perfect vacation
Heli-boarding with my kids someday.
Guilty pleasure
Very good, very cold beer.
Hero
Peter G Warren. He taught me how to think, not what to think. He pursued quality above all.
Personal theme song
“Pandora.”
Life motto
Don’t force it.
High school dream car
1972 De Tomaso Pantera
Brian Raphael, VP Finance
Ideal project
Orchestrate a Google-esque IPO for HNW.
Proudest moment
Getting NY to reverse their sales tax liability opinion.
Toughest challenge
Getting NY to reverse their sales tax liability opinion.
Favorite neighborhood eats
The gourmet deli/buffet on 5th and 22nd, the gourmet deli/buffet on 21st and Park, and the gourmet deli/buffet on 24th and Park.
Perfect vacation
Dividing a year evenly between some of my favorite cities in Asia: Hanoi, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon).
Guilty pleasure
The gourmet deli/buffet on 5th and 22nd, the gourmet deli/buffet on 21st and Park, and finally the gourmet deli/buffet on 24th and Park.
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