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Posts Tagged ‘Education’

Originally published in US Weekly Magazine

Michelle-Marie Heinemann Scaglia and her daughter Hyacinth Heinemann enjoying Venice, Italy.

In today’s ever-changing and hyper-digitalized age, the online world has become a dynamic realm filled with influencers, experts, and creators who’ve mastered the art of creating engaging content. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, knowledge, entertainment, or simply a fresh perspective on life, there’s a vast array of talented individuals shaping the narrative in the online world. This exclusive listicle sheds a spotlight on the top 20 people to follow online in 2023. From thought leaders and artists to entrepreneurs and philanthropists, these digital stalwarts are sure to enrich your virtual journey.

1. Dr. Cat Begovic

Dr. Cat Begović, a Harvard alum with an MD from UCLA School of Medicine, is a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s empowerment. Specializing in tummy tucks and labiaplasties, she also excels in breast augmentations, rhinoplasties, facelifts, and vaginal rejuvenation. Dr. Cat is known for her meticulous work that leaves patients with nearly invisible scars, earning her a massive following. She founded MD Glam, a skincare line reflecting her commitment to quality and self-care. Dr. Cat is equally popular on social media platforms, which serve as a sanctuary for women to unite, uplift, and celebrate individuality.

2. Binais Begović

Binais Begović is a prominent figure in self-leadership and personal transformation. He guides individuals in rediscovering their purpose and assists corporations and top-tier CEOs in shaping compelling visions. Binais blends philosophy, spirituality, and practicality to distill complex ideas into transformative strategies, resonating with his vast following. He offers his courses, insights, and tools on self-leadership through his website, Binais.com, while inspiring and empowering his audience through social media platforms like Instagram. Rooted in authenticity and armed with a forward-thinking approach, Binais is the beacon for the next generation of world beaters, helping them reignite their true purpose.

3. René Rodriguez

Armed with 27 years of experience in groundbreaking behavioral neuroscience research, René Rodriguez stands out as a distinguished entrepreneur, celebrated author, and influential speaker. He specializes in solving complex leadership, sales, and change management challenges. As the CEO of several successful ventures, René motivates audiences to take action through his engaging keynotes, immersive boot camps, and the exclusive AMPLIFII™ course. His bestselling book, “Amplify Your Influence,” has garnered widespread acclaim and earned the accolade of 2022 Best Business Book. René frequently shares the stage with other luminaries such as Tony Robbins, Ed Mylett, and Gary Vaynerchuk.

4. Dr. John Jaquish

Dr. John Jaquish, a visionary in the health and fitness industry, has single-handedly revolutionized multiple facets of wellness. He created a groundbreaking medical technology to enhance bone density with the highest efficacy through his collaboration with Tony Robbins and OsteoStrong. Millions of people across 15 countries now leverage the effects of this invention. Moreover, Dr. Jaquish’s ingenious creation, X3, has redefined muscle development and rendered traditional weightlifting obsolete while reducing the risk of joint injuries. His innovative techniques power elite athlete training programs, benefiting the likes of the Miami Heat, NFL and NBA stars, and Olympians, facilitating exceptional strength gains while significantly lowering the risk of injuries

5. Dr. Ahmet Ergin

Dr. Ahmet Ergin is a prominent figure in the diabetes community who’s the founder of SugarMD and SugarMDs Medicinal Herbal Supplements & Vitamins. An advocate of a holistic approach to diabetes management, Dr. Ergin completed his education at Cleveland Clinic and firmly believes in diabetes reversibility through alternative methods. With nearly a million social media followers and a thriving YouTube community, he has a significant influence on the industry. Dr. Ergin is also a prolific author with three books under his belt, two of which are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of diabetics via healthy dietary practices. His impactful work continually attracts individuals seeking guidance in their diabetes management journeys.

6. Guy Sheetrit

Guy Sheetrit is a marketing mastermind who has built an empire with his company, Over The Top SEO (OTT). With a reputation for transforming businesses into revenue-generating powerhouses, Sheetrit boasts an exceptional track record of scaling businesses from x10 to x100 growth over the past decade, earning him recognition as a true visionary. A genius in search engine optimization, Sheetrit was named among the top three SEO authorities in the world by Inc. Magazine. Over the last five years, he has helped generate over $1 billion in revenue for his clients using unique marketing techniques and SEO strategies.

7. Mohammad Baydoun

Dr. Mohammad Baydoun, the “Doctor of Real Estate,” is a visionary architect and a true luminary in Dubai’s real estate landscape and beyond. He is a well-known internet personality renowned for his strategic prowess in large-scale development projects. With an exceptional ability to craft compelling designs that resonate with customers, he consistently achieves high closure rates. Dr. Baydoun’s technical acumen, including precise layout design, structural measurements, and engineering calculations, empowers buyers to make informed decisions. Beyond real estate, his remarkable physique and unconventional fitness methods inspire countless individuals. He shares his expertise and transformative advice on social media, helping others become the best versions of themselves.

8. Alex Tripod

Alex Tripod is a renowned business & manifestation coach and CEO recognized for her expertise in transforming lives and businesses. As a #1 best-selling author and international speaker, she has empowered countless individuals worldwide through her workshops and programs. With an unwavering commitment to raising the frequency and mental health of impact-driven leaders, Alex is on a mission to create a ripple effect that ushers in a new era of freedom, abundance, and self-expression. Alex is set to take her groundbreaking workshop, ‘MANIFEST 10X,’ on a global tour in September-October 2023, touring the USA, London, and Canada.

9. Michelle-Marie Heinemann

Michelle-Marie Heinemann Scaglia and her daughter Hyacinth Heinemann enjoying Venice, Italy.

Michelle Marie Heinemann Scaglia is a multifaceted powerhouse and the CEO of Old Fashioned Mom LLC, a prestigious luxury lifestyle brand. Her journey to entrepreneurship was preceded by a vibrant career as a professional abstract expressionist artist, with exhibitions spanning the globe. As a classically trained pianist, she has not only recorded two albums but also graced the stage at the esteemed Fazioli Grand Concert Hall in Sacile, Italy, with her mesmerizing performance of “Hummingbird Mornings.” Michelle-Marie’s artistic passion extends to motherhood, where she nurtures her two children, Hudson Cornelius Heinemann and Hyacinth Cornelia Heinemann, fostering their growth as she simultaneously works on her eagerly anticipated third album.

10. Danelle Delgado

Often referred to as the “millionaire maker,” Danelle Delgado is a visionary entrepreneur, coach, and bestselling author. She is the co-founder & CEO of Team Engage, a premier self-development and training institute that equips companies, entrepreneurs, and employees with the tools to scale their sales, incomes, and lives. Danelle believes that gaining attention is simple, but the real challenge lies in sustaining it. And that’s exactly what she teaches in her award-winning training course. Danelle also wrote the best-selling book “I Choose Joy: The Daily Gratitude Practice That Will Transform Your Life,” where she revealed her secret recipe for success.

11. Nicole Psomas

Nicole Psomas is an internationally recognized celebrity physical therapist. In 2009, she pioneered and trademarked a recovery method, “The Psomas Method,” for cosmetic plastic surgery. Nicole’s star-studded clientele includes influential people like actors, politicians, corporate CEOs, international figures, socialites, podcasters, and TV personalities. In 2019, she published her book, “After the Cut: How to Prepare for and Recover from Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.” A proven expert across multiple cosmetic procedures, Nicole launched a certification course this year in LA, Miami, NYC and Las Vegas.

12. Nina Verkoeyen

Nina Verkoeyen, known as “the modern female Buddha,” is a spiritual teacher and former psychologist with over two decades of experience. She established Meta Spirituality in 2016, a spiritual movement making waves across America, when she realized The Last Truth and experienced a spiritual awakening. Since then, she has dedicated herself to disseminating the principles of Meta Spirituality, with a mission to enlighten civilization by 2050. Notably, Meta Spirituality promises enlightenment to its members, often achieved as early as the second day. The Meta Spirituality community is rapidly gaining traction as more individuals embrace the idea of a direct connection with the Creator within themselves.

13. David Rojas

David Rojas is a prominent figure in the world of stock trading, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. He is the Founder & CEO of Blue Castle Ventures LTD, a premier trading institute helping clients access global markets with actively managed strategies, taking advantage of the latest asset trends. Armed with a Harvard degree in Alternative Investments and over 14 years of experience in day trading and wealth management, David has earned a distinguished reputation among the world’s top traders. He’s equally renowned for his philanthropic efforts, making a significant impact through his charitable endeavors.

14. Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins is a best-selling author, coach, and speaker who has influenced millions of lives positively. He is the founder of several successful businesses and the creator of popular programs such as Unleash the Power Within and Business Mastery. He is also a philanthropist who actively supports various causes, such as education, health, and human rights. He has partnered with organizations like Feeding America, Operation Underground Railroad, and The XPRIZE Foundation to make a positive impact in the world. As a leading voice in personal and professional development, Robbins uses his social media platforms to share valuable insights, tips, and stories that inspire his viewers to crush their goals.

15. Vera Yanti Kretschmar

Vera Yanti Kretschmar is a dynamic entrepreneur, visionary leader, and distinguished angel and crypto investor. As the Managing Director at Ivory Capital, she spearheads strategic initiatives and growth in diverse sectors. She has also left her mark as the Founder of Anaya Aesthetics, where she merges beauty and wellness, promoting self-confidence and self-care. Furthermore, Vera is recognized as the visionary behind Anaya Property Investments, where she combines her business acumen with her commitment to real estate, forging new paths in property development and investment. Her multifaceted approach to entrepreneurship and investment showcases her dedication to both financial success and societal impact.

16. Paula Stachyra

Paula Stachyra, a.k.a the ‘Queen of the Grill,’ is a popular BBQ chef and cookbook author who’s written multiple books, including “Wing Crush – 100 Epic Recipes for your Grill or Smoker” and “The Big Book of Barbecue on Your Pellet Grill” (to be released in May 2024). She has been named among the ‘Top 15 Authors to Read in 2023’ and has been featured on Cedric The Entertainer and Anthony Anderson’s AC Barbeque website for creating a recipe for their new line of BBQ rubs. With appearances on various top media networks and social media accounts, Paula has taken her spot as a leading media personality.

17. Karishhma Mago

Karishhma Mago is a visionary digital entrepreneur disrupting the status quo as the CEO & co-founder of two trailblazing companies – Miami Crypto, a leading blockchain & AI news platform, and Digital Nod, an award-winning digital PR firm. By leveraging her expertise in personal branding and public relations, Mago helps founders, CEOs, and global enterprises to boost their brand image and online presence. A highly sought-after crypto advisor and marketing mastermind, she often shares her insights on Web3, marketing, and entrepreneurship on her social media handles, blogs, and in the editorial columns of renowned publications.

18. Jay Shetty

Jay Shetty is a popular podcaster, author, life coach, and social media personality. He is the founder of Icon Media, a digital media company that produces content on topics such as mindfulness, wellness, and spirituality. He is also the founder of Sama Tea, a social enterprise supporting education for underprivileged children in India. In his podcasts and videos, Jay interviews celebrities and influencers and explores topics such as relationships, happiness, and purpose. He hosts “On Purpose,” one of the top health podcasts in the world. Drawing upon his first-hand experiences and lessons learned from Vedic monks in India, he also wrote the New York Times best-selling book “Think Like a Monk.”

19. Adam Weitsman

Adam Weitsman is a renowned entrepreneur, restaurateur, recycler, and philanthropist who owns Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling, a scrap metal processing company in New York. He is also a passionate art collector and restaurateur supporting various charitable causes. He has won several awards for his business achievements and is renowned for his philanthropic endeavors, such as donating all the profits from Krebs restaurant to 16 regional nonprofits in 2015. He shares his personal and professional journey on his Instagram account, where he posts inspiring photos and videos of his family, friends, business, and hobbies.

20. Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as Gary Vee, is a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and internet personality. He is the chairman of VaynerX, a communications company that owns media and technology businesses, and the CEO of VaynerMedia, a digital agency that helps Fortune 500 companies with their social media strategy. Gary Vee is one of the most influential and inspiring people to follow on social media. He regularly shares his insights, advice, and opinions on topics such as entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, personal finance, crypto, and more. He also creates engaging and entertaining content across various mediums, including podcasts, YouTube and TikTok videos, and Instagram.

1. At what age did you start playing Ice Hockey?

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I started playing Ice Hockey at age 5. My friends Father, who lived down the street invited me to join one day, my Father had no clue about Hockey. He put my elbow pads on my knees, it was funny. I didn’t have a clue either obviously, but it’s worked out for the best.

2. It’s very impressive that at 15 you already had an agent. Please tell us, how you achieved this?

When I was 15, agents would come to select tournaments and talk to my Father and discuss the potential I had. I think currently it’s changed a bit, but I played a lot of tournaments in Canada with some top tier teams with a lot of talented players. So there were always agents around. They couldn’t really give anything due to NCAA losing eligibility and hush hush behind that, but once I wasn’t going NCAA they could fully advise me and that was at age 17.

3. From 1999-2001, you attended the The Cardigan Mountain School, an Elite all boys Boarding School in Canaan, New Hampshire. How much of an influence did this School have on you as a young child and growing Athlete?

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This school really shaped me into the man I am today. Discipline, Integrity, Manners, Sportsmanship. There’s just so much to be thankful for from that school. I grew up with all sisters, so to be at an all boys school was really fun as they were all brothers to me. It made me grow as an athlete as you have to play 3 sports. I never played football before, tried it, and loved it! It was just an amazing time of my life and would recommend it for anyone.

4. What advice would you give for children today, that want a Professional career in Sports. What are the steps necessary to achieve their dream?

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Don’t be a follower! Listen to what you can correct. Today with technology try and watch yourself, correct your mistakes, work on getting better but also don’t force anything. Enjoy it while it lasts, have fun. You have to love what your doing in order to be the best.

5. You currently play for Heilbronner Falken, a team in Heilbronn, Germany. What is a typical day for you? Walk us through your daily routine.

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I wake up have breakfast, head to the arena for training, after workout off ice and on ice I usually go to lunch with some friends. I’ve been in Germany for 9 years now so I really enjoy the European lifestyle. Cafes are amazing to just sit and relax, read and write. As I am getting older I have been contemplating my next phase in my life, I obviously can’t play Hockey forever so it’s exciting exploring all the possibilities next for me. Germany is a place I definelty can call home, I love the surroundings, architecture and history. I’ll always come back here no matter what, I love it here and Berlin is my favorite, this city has a place in my heart forever.

6. What are some of your favorite restaurants in Germany?

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So many favorites! Berlin has some wonderful Pan Asian Restaurants. One in particular is called Transit. It is minimalist in decor and serves delicious Thai and Indonesian dishes. As an athlete, carbs and pasta on game days!

I also enjoy cooking but as a bachelor, cooking for one isn’t as enjoyable and sometimes you eat far more than you should!

7. I know family is very important to you, as you pay homage to your family..often through social media. Please tell us about your family and how they were instrumental in your career?

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My family has the biggest meaning in my life. They are the most supportive, and the reason I am able to be where I am. I have four sisters, two older and two younger, a nephew and a niece. My Father and Mother have worked extremely hard to support not just my upbringing but their 4 other children. My Father is a painter and my Mother works in child care.

The oldest Aimee teaches in Hong Kong and has been all over the world, she’s incredible smart. Next is Lauren. She is a nanny and has been working with children for over 15 years. She’s is amazing when it comes to Children.

The one right below me, Melissa, was an outstanding hockey player growing up, she was my little side kick, followed me everywhere and always wanted to play street hockey or mini hockey with my friends. She has two beautiful children…which I often post on Social Media.

The youngest Vanessa is in the military. She has such a strong work ethic. She has worked since she was 14 and worked with my Father until she joined the Army. She really enjoys it and is a supply Sargent.

All my family members have had an impact in my life, and it’s why I have always given back to them as much as I could through my career. I love them dearly.

8. The Playoffs are coming up in March. Do you have a regimen that puts you in your best focused state?

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For many that know me as a hockey player, they know my game changes come playoffs. My mentality is a win there’s no tomorrow mentality. Like the NFL. Every game is important. I have always been confident in the fact that I’m a playoff player. Big players show up in big games. And I like to be that guy. I don’t know what exactly it is, but it’s the best time of year, it’s the most exciting, and I am just that much more focused because I want to win! Who doesn’t? I know everyone says that, but there’s just something different about certain players during playoffs. You gotta have that mentality.

During regular season, there’s so many games that I think mentally, sometimes guys take nights off. It’s why I love the NFL. Every week is important. In hockey or basketball or baseball, the mentality can be, ah there’s 40 games left we can make it up. But when it comes to hockey playoffs, you can’t think that. It’s now or never, you do whatever it takes to win. And I just love the feeling and rush of that.

9. What one word describes you?

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Selfless – there’s no other way to put it. I have many words that I could put. But I really put the needs of others first. I love helping others in any way I can. Whether it’s talking friends through difficult times, helping them with a situation, anything. I love to help.

10. What can we expect from Jimmy Sharrow in the next year?

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Wow, the next year. I would really like to get going with career after hockey. I’m 34 now, I’d love to play as long as I can, I still love it, but I know life comes at you fast, you meet someone, you don’t get a contract, you get injured…so many variables. I’d love to be a father soon, it’s something I cherish, so who knows you never know what life brings. I have a passion for the luxury concierge market. Perhaps I’ll take this direction after Hockey. I think my life experiences thus far has prepared me well, so I will explore this. However, ask me again in a year!

 

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Bill Gates, Father of three adorable children shares his love of books. Reading is crucial and the backbone to everything we do in life….here are some of his favorites.

 

~My Favorite Books~
By Bill Gates

 
Never before have I felt so empowered to learn as I do today. When I was young, there were few options to learn on my own. My parents had a set of World Book Encyclopedias, which I read through in alphabetical order. But there were no online courses, video lectures, or podcasts to introduce me to new ideas and thinkers as we have today.
Still, reading books is my favorite way to learn about a new topic. I’ve been reading about a book a week on average since I was a kid. Even when my schedule is out of control, I carve out a lot of time for reading.

 
If you’re looking for a book to enjoy, here are some of my favorites from this year. They cover an eclectic mix of topics—from tennis to tennis shoes, genomics to great leadership. They’re all very well written, and they all dropped me down a rabbit hole of unexpected insights and pleasures.

 

 

String Theory, by David Foster Wallace. This book has nothing to do with physics, but its title will make you look super smart if you’re reading it on a train or plane. String Theory is a collection of five of Wallace’s best essays on tennis, a sport I gave up in my Microsoft days and am once again pursuing with a passion. You don’t have to play or even watch tennis to love this book. The late author wielded a pen as skillfully as Roger Federer wields a tennis racket. Here, as in his other brilliant works, Wallace found mind-blowing ways of bending language like a metal spoon.

 
Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight. This memoir, by the co-founder of Nike, is a refreshingly honest reminder of what the path to business success really looks like: messy, precarious, and riddled with mistakes. I’ve met Knight a few times over the years. He’s super nice, but he’s also quiet and difficult to get to know. Here Knight opens up in a way few CEOs are willing to do. I don’t think Knight sets out to teach the reader anything. Instead, he accomplishes something better. He tells his story as honestly as he can. It’s an amazing tale.

 
The Gene, by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Doctors are deemed a “triple threat” when they take care of patients, teach medical students, and conduct research. Mukherjee, who does all of these things at Columbia University, is a “quadruple threat,” because he’s also a Pulitzer Prize– winning author. In his latest book, Mukherjee guides us through the past, present, and future of genome science, with a special focus on huge ethical questions that the latest and greatest genome technologies provoke. Mukherjee wrote this book for a lay audience, because he knows that the new genome technologies are at the cusp of affecting us all in profound ways.

 
The Myth of the Strong Leader, by Archie Brown. This year’s fierce election battle prompted me to pick up this 2014 book, by an Oxford University scholar who has studied political leadership—good, bad, and ugly—for more than 50 years. Brown shows that the leaders who make the biggest contributions to history and humanity generally are not the ones we perceive to be “strong leaders.” Instead, they tend to be the ones who collaborate, delegate, and negotiate—and recognize that no one person can or should have all the answers. Brown could not have predicted how resonant his book would become in 2016.

 
Honorable mention: The Grid, by Gretchen Bakke. This book, about our aging electrical grid, fits in one of my favorite genres: “Books About Mundane Stuff That Are Actually Fascinating.” Part of the reason I find this topic fascinating is because my first job, in high school, was writing software for the entity that controls the power grid in the Northwest. But even if you have never given a moment’s thought to how electricity reaches your outlets, I think this book would convince you that the electrical grid is one of the greatest engineering wonders of the modern world. I think you would also come to see why modernizing the grid is so complex and so critical for building our clean-energy future.

 

Old Fashioned Mom Magazine hosted a VIP Soiree at The Skylark.

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This intimate gathering included, Sabrina Baldieri, Lauren Lawrence, Alessandra Emanuel, Joy Marks, Elizabeth Washer, Laura Bounin and Michelle-Marie Heinemann.

The Septet celebrated the OFM lifestyle brand at The Skylark which provided the most fantastic views of the City.

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Set thirty stories up in the heart of Times Square South, The Skylark delivers a classically-styled cocktail lounge with expansive panoramic views of the Hudson River, Hudson Yards, Times Square, The Empire State Building, and the best of Midtown Manhattan.

With its multi-level indoor spaces, open-air rooftop terrace and warm furnishings — designed by Meyer Davis Studio — The Skylark is a truly all-season destination. In cooler months, guests can enjoy breathtaking city views from the main lounge’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Warmer days deliver an experience that flows naturally between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Drinks and food at The Skylark are as distinctive as the space itself. The exclusive mixologist’s cocktail menu is based on classic inspirations that are rendered using only the freshest ingredients. The light fare options include a variety of small plates – perfect for an after-work or evening bite.

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I throughly enjoyed several of these Harvest Cobbler’s handcrafted by master mixologist Johnny Swet. It includes; Titos Vodka, Marilde Pear Liquor, Pear and Rosemary.

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The Skylark was developed by hospitality veteran David Rabin together with Jim Kirsch and Alison Awerbuch of Abigail Kirsch.

…..until the next OFM Soirée!

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~The Skylark~

212-257-4577

200 West 39th Street

30th Floor

www.theskylarknyc.com

 

 

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Madame Tussaud pales in comparison to the Living Wax Museum, presented by the 3rd grade at the private Dutchess Day School. Students stood frozen with pride as they became one with their favorite famous American….citing “fun facts” and “historical trivia” in front of a giant paper backdrop.

 
Old Fashioned Fun was at work, as attendees had to push a button to hear the interesting information, and once pushed it was amazing to learn details of the famous Americans.

 
Hudson Cornelius Heinemann chose Duke Ellington, the composer, pianist and bandleader. In true Ellington style Hudson sported spectators by A. Testoni and a dapper Merlot wide stripped button down, for his Ellington look.

 
Ellington’s career spanned 50 years composing masterpieces like “It don’t mean anything, if it ain’t got that swing” and “Prelude to a kiss.” He was a 12 time Grammy award winner and really knew how to get the crowd moving with unique jazz melodies. The project was in true Old Fashioned Mom style as students had to pull a book out of the library and use an encyclopedia to learn about bibliographies.

 
The Head Mistress, Nancy Hathaway perused each wax figure while other notable Americans included: Amelia Earhart, Edger Allan Poe, Babe Ruth, Arthur Ashe, Betsey Ross, and Sacajawea. “This was a great project, I enjoyed making my backdrop and studying about Duke Ellington. I feel I became more connected with him, as opposed to just googling his name, definitely more interesting to go to the library.” said Hudson Heinemann.

 

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Hudson Heinemann

 

1934: American jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington (1899 - 1974) smiles as he holds a double bass on his shoulder and a flute in one hand, Hollywood, CA. He is wearing a fedora, a suit, and a scarf around his neck. Ellington and his band were in Hollywood to appear in director Mitchell Liesen's film, 'Murder at the Vanities.' (Photo by Frank Driggs/Frank Driggs Collection/Getty Images)

Duke Ellington


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Head Mistress, Nancy Hathaway and 3rd grader Hudson Heinemann

alumni notre dameAlumni Couple makes $20 million gift to establish the Notre Dame Institute for global investing.

James Parsons and Dr. Carrie Quinn of New York City have made a $20 million gift to the University of Notre Dame to endow a new Institute for Global Investing in their alma mater’s Mendoza College of Business.

“This magnanimous gift will allow a cadre of superb finance faculty members at Notre Dame to advance their teaching and research to new levels,” said Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., the University’s president. “Jim and Carrie are distinguished graduates of the University, and we are most grateful for their wonderful generosity.”

The Notre Dame Institute for Global Investing is poised to advance investment-management research and educational outreach on a worldwide scale, according to Roger D. Huang, Martin J. Gillen Dean of the Mendoza College of Business.

“The Notre Dame Institute for Global Investing provides that vital nexus for research, the classroom, our alumni and other partners so that we can leverage all of it for a greater impact than the sum of its parts,” he said. “I’m confident that the institute will enable us to expand opportunities for our stakeholders — especially for our students — and become a significant thought leader in the global investment community.”

Scott Malpass, vice president, chief investment officer and a professor in Notre Dame’s Applied Investment Management (AIM) course, added: “I have known Jim since he was a junior at Notre Dame and have watched him become one of the finest money managers in the nation today. Jim and Carrie’s tremendous generosity will allow us to train the next generation of top-tier money managers imbued with the strong business ethics and principle-centered leadership that come from a Notre Dame education.”

The institute will leverage three key strengths of Notre Dame — top-rated finance faculty, an innovative finance curriculum and extensive strategic partnerships — to form a platform for both learning and influencing the way investment managers the world over think about global finance.

The institute’s goals include expanding internship and career placement opportunities; leveraging key partnerships among the college, the Notre Dame Investment Office and the University’s extensive alumni network; furthering faculty research and thought leadership; attracting prospective finance faculty; and adding depth and breadth to Mendoza’s already strong finance curriculum.

Shane Corwin, associate professor of finance, has been named as the inaugural director of the institute. A member of the Notre Dame faculty since 2000, he teaches and researches in the areas of security market design and investment banking. He has published articles in numerous finance journals, most recently studying the role of limited attention in securities trading, the measurement of transaction costs and conflicts of interest related to maker-taker fees on U.S. stock exchanges.

Corwin has served as a member of the Nasdaq Economic Advisory Board and has been awarded research grants from the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, Morgan Stanley and the Q-Group. He earned a doctorate in finance from Ohio State University and bachelor’s and master of business administration (MBA) degrees from Mankato State University.

Parsons earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Notre Dame and an MBA from Harvard University. He is founder and portfolio manager for Junto Capital Management in New York City and previously served as a portfolio manager for Viking Global Investors in New York.

Quinn is a graduate of both Notre Dame and Tufts University Medical School. She completed her pediatric residency at Boston Children’s Hospital. After working in private practice in Queens, New York, for six years, she is now an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital. In addition to seeing patients and teaching medical students, she is the executive director of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, a not-for-profit entity created to support and educate parents in evidence-based parenting practices designed to help improve the health, resilience and well-being of children and families. The couple has three children.

“There has never been a greater need for outstanding leadership in the investment management industry,” Parsons said. “It has been a privilege to work together with the Mendoza College of Business, Scott Malpass, the Investment Office and other University leaders to form an institute that should enable the University to adequately address the need to educate the investment management leaders of tomorrow. The University is uniquely positioned to assist in the formation of leaders around the globe, and Carrie and I are delighted that our gift will help address this critical need.”

Quinn and Parsons made a $5 million gift in 2010 to endow the directorship of Notre Dame’s Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases. They also have made gifts to their alma mater for a Donor Advised Fund, scholarship, the Applied Investment Management Alumni Endowment Fund and the President’s Circle.

 

Philanthropy Story ~ By Dennis Brown

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What do we know about bilingualism? Much of what we once thought we knew — that speaking two languages is confusing for children, that it poses cognitive challenges best avoided — is now known to be inaccurate. Today, bilingualism is often seen as a brain-sharpening benefit, a condition that can protect and preserve cognitive function well into old age.

Gigi Luk Connecting research in psychology, cognitive neuroscience and education, Gigi Luk investigates how bilingual experiences influence cognition, learning, and the brain in children and adults.

Gigi Luk Connecting research in psychology, cognitive neuroscience and education, Gigi Luk investigates how bilingual experiences influence cognition, learning, and the brain in children and adults.

Indeed, the very notion of bilingualism is changing; language mastery is no longer seen as an either/or proposition, even though most schools still measure English proficiency as a binary “pass or fail” marker.

It turns out that there are many ways to be bilingual, according to HGSE Associate Professor Gigi Luk, who studies the lasting cognitive consequences of speaking multiple languages. “Bilingualism is a complex and multifaceted life experience,” she says; it’s an “interactional experience” that happens within — and in response to — a broader social context.

Usable Knowledge spoke with Luk about her research and its applications.

BILINGUALISM AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION

As bilingual children toggle between two languages, they use cognitive resources beyond those required for simple language acquisition, Luk writes in a forthcoming edition of the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Child Development. Recent research has shown that bilingual children outperform monolingual children on tasks that tap into executive function — skills having to do with attention control, reasoning, and flexible problem solving.

Their strength in those tasks likely results from coping with and overcoming the demand of managing two languages. In a bilingual environment, children learn to recognize meaningful speech sounds that belong to two different languages but share similar concepts.

In a paper published earlier this year, she and her colleagues looked at how bilingualism affects verbal fluency — efficiency at retrieving words — in various stages of childhood and adulthood. In one measure of verbal acumen called letter fluency — the ability to list words that begin with the letter F, for instance — bilinguals enjoyed an advantage over monolinguals that began at age 10 and grew robust in adulthood.

BILINGUALISM AND THE AGING BRAIN

Luk and her researchers are looking at the neuroscience of bilingualism — at how bilingualism may affect the physical structure of the brain in its different regions.

What they’ve found so far shows that older adults who are lifelong bilinguals have more white matter in their frontal lobes (important to executive function) than monolinguals, and that their temporal lobes (important to language function) are better preserved. The results support other evidence that persistent bilingual experience shapes brain functions and structures.

A growing body of evidence suggests that lifelong bilingualism is associated with the delayed diagnosis of dementia. But the impact of language experience on brain activity is not well understood, Luk says.

In a 2015 paper, she and her colleagues began to look at functional brain networks in monolingual and bilingual older adults. Their findings support the idea that a language experience begun in childhood and continued throughout adulthood influences brain networks in ways that may provide benefits far later in life.

WHO IS BILINGUAL?

Monolingualism and bilingualism are not static categories, Luk says, so the question of what it means to be bilingual, and who is bilingual, is nuanced. There are several pathways to bilingualism. A child can become bilingual when parents and caregivers speak both languages frequently, either switching between the two. A child can be bilingual when the language spoken at home differs from a community’s dominant language, which the child is exposed to in schools. Or a child can become bilingual when he or she speaks the community’s dominant language at home but attends an immersion program at school.

Bilingualism is an experience that accumulates and changes over time, in response to a child’s learning environments, says Luk.

LANGUAGE DIVERSITY IN SCHOOLS

In one of her projects, Luk works with a group of ELL directors to help them understand the diverse needs of their language learners and to find better ways to engage their parents. She’s looking at effective ways to measure bilingualism in schools; at connections between the science of bilingualism and language and literacy outcomes; and at the long-term relationship between academic outcomes and the quality and quantity of bilingual experience in young children.

Part of her goal is to help schools move beyond binary categorizations like “ELL” and “English proficient” and to recognize that language diversity brings challenges but also long-term benefits.

“If we only look at ELL or English proficient, that’s not a representation of the whole spectrum of bilingualism,” she says. “To embrace bilingualism, rather than simply recognizing this phenomenon, we need to consider both the challenges and strengths of children with diverse language backgrounds. We cannot do this by only looking at English proficiency. Other information, such as home language background, will enrich our understanding of bilingual development and learning.”