Thanks to the hospitality of Bill Picard and his SPF Neighbors Facebook page we were able to ask neighbors and friends to suggest women in our town that inspire; whether it be as local business owners, entrepreneurs, community volunteers, titans of industry or stay at home moms. The flood gates opened and we received hundreds of comments through the group comments and direct messaging.
Vernecia Adams, “The Life Changer”
Business owner Vernecia Adams is the “beast” behind PrettyBeastMode Fitness and Nutrition located on Park Avenue in Scotch Plains. She is revered by the many clients whose lives she has touched, empowered, and changed for the better. Choosing to root her business in the hometown she loves, Vernecia has one mission: Turn Struggles into Strength. Over the span of ten years, she has transformed lives, doing just that.
“She’s not just a coach she’s a true inspiration” says local resident Sara Moudiab. “She’s built her business from the ground up, creating a space where people transform their health, build confidence, and push past limits. She has inspired me and helped me become the person I am today”.
Vernecia’s approach spares clients the judgment they often cast on themselves. Rather, she provides highly personalized support that extends beyond diet and exercise to break detrimental habits and adopt healthy ones.
Vernecia’s commitment to wellbeing extends beyond the clients at her gym into the community. She works with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts teaching them about exercise to earn their fitness badges and volunteers her time to the Mayor’s Wellness Committee, to educate and improve the overall health of community residents.
Dana Califano, The Confidence Builder
Take one step into The Blowout Lab on South Avenue in Fanwood and you will feel immediately like joining an all-girl band. The space is vibrant and colorful with neon lights sharing messages of empowerment. Yes, I am magical! Business owner and mom of five daughters, Dana Califano, opened Blowout Lab three years ago to help women feel beautiful and more confident. Achieving financial independence is an example she wants to set for her daughters. “I tell them you are just as good as anyone, just as smart, just as tough. But you have to work for it.”
Dana has a generous spirit and a kind heart. She loves her family beyond measure and works every minute of every day to provide for them and to spend time with them. In addition to business ownership, Dana works as the Athletic Director at St. Bart’s in Scotch Plains where three of her daughters attend school. She also volunteers as a coach to multiple boys’ and girls’ teams there.
Dana’s friends will tell you she gives the shirt off her back to anyone in need. She uplifts those around her, finding joy in their success and happiness.
Tiffany Gallagher, The Powerhouse
Admittedly one of my best friends, I have a front row seat to Tiffany Gallagher’s awesomeness. As a Partner and Principal at one of the largest professional services organizations in the world, Tiffany puts in long hours. Like an obscene amount. Having started as an intern in 2000, she rose quickly through the ranks to become one of the youngest partners in the firm’s history. Now, she pays it forward mentoring other women in her firm to achieve the same level of success. Tiffany is also a mom to three beautiful babies and somehow manages to be at every game and event. Tiffany says she is most proud of the balance she has achieved to be a present parent and work at the pace required to be effective in her job.
An appreciation for our community’s teachers is what inspired Tiffany to join the “small but mighty” group of parents that volunteer their time for the SPF Education Enrichment Foundation. She can be found leading community events to raise money for innovative projects that supply podcast equipment, a music studio, robots and sewing machines to community students and teachers.
Chrissann Gasparro: The Woman Whisperer
Chrissann Gasparro rocks a full-time job in a big deal role for a major media company five days a week. When the weekend rolls around, she is ready to share her disco-ball goodness to help other women show up for themselves.
It started two years ago when Chrissann invited a circle of friends over to her backyard to do “woo-woo stuff” which incorporates self-awareness, light yoga, and the star of the show, breathwork. A sense of calm, peace and moments of clarity can be achieved through breathwork, as your brain quiets long enough to allow that freedom. Turns out women REALLY need that space, as friends started asking Chrissann to host their own friend circles, in their own yards.
To reach as many women as possible, Chrissann became achieved the necessary certifications and has since launched “Feel Good Field Party,” available in both event and workshop formats. “These gatherings give us the gift of our own precious and powerful attention, they reconnect us to ourselves, and they create a space where we get to be real and feel good. And we all deserve more of ALL of that.
Dr. Nicole Salge, The Healer
Dr. Salge is a PT, DPT and IADN Certified Specialist. Her passion for health fitness and the human body is what led her to a career in physical therapy. She specializes in women’s pelvic health rehabilitation using a holistic approach to treat the whole person and not just symptoms. Through her work Dr Salge treats women suffering from a variety of ailments found in pregnancy, or postpartum, prolapses, urinary control, bowels, pelvic and lower extremity pain. As women, we often experience pain and “just deal with it” as we’ve been programmed to believe is ok. Well it’s not. And Dr. Salge’s mission is to raise awareness for women to take control of their pelvic health and seek treatment that can improve the quality of their lives. She loves what she does.
Lisa Mohn, The Giver
If you want to meet the most selfless person in Scotch Plains, look no further than Apple Blossom Flowers located on Park Avenue in Scotch Pains. Lisa Mohn, Owner and Operator for over thirty years, is a well-respected business owner but it is her contributions to our town that make her a true super-hero.
Lisa has always believed in giving back and fostering connections to make a positive impact on our community. Over 30 years ago she was one of the founders of the Scotch Plains Business and Professional Association that is responsible for the incredible Farmer’s Market we enjoy on Saturdays between May and November. This has become a second full-time job for Lisa as she takes on the lion’s share of work needed to make it happen. Permits and licenses, vendor selection and logistics, musical performances, tents and garbage cans. She gets up every Saturday before 6AM to make this happen for all of us. She does not go on vacation, she does not sleep in. Why do you do all this Lisa? “Scotch Plains is my Family” she says without hesitation.