Morning & Afternoon Speakers
Ann Leary
Ann Leary is the author of three novels, which include The New York Times bestseller, The Good House as well as An Innocent, A Broad and Outtakes From a Marriage. She also co-hosts a National Public Radio show, Hash Hags and blogs regularly.
When Ann is not on tour promoting her latest book, blogging or hosting, she volunteers as an emergency medical technician in the town she lives in and is also working on writing her fourth novel.
While attending Emerson College in the 1980’s, Ann met her future husband, Denis Leary. Today, the author and her actor/comedian/writer husband, along with their two children, reside on a small farm in northwestern Connecticut.
Susanna Salk
Susanna Salk helped launch Elle Decor magazine as their Interior Design Manager and later became a Contributing Editor before ultimately going on to become Special Projects Editor at House and Garden magazine until its closing.
Salk has authored an impressive amount of books including “A Privileged Life: Celebrating WASP Style”, “Weekend Retreats” , “Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play”, “Be Your Own Decorator: Taking Cues and Confidence from Today’s Leading Designers” and “C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon” and also collaborated on “Home Sweet Home”. Her next book, due out in April 2014 is titled, “Decorate Fearlessly: Using Whimsy, Confidence and a Dash of Surprise to Create Personal Spaces”.
Today, Salk appears regularly on NBC’s “Today Show” to discuss design style for the home. She is also a Contributing Editor to 1stdibs.com and ivillage.com.
Susanna lives in Connecticut with her husband and two boys.
Suzy Kline
Suzy Kline is the award-winning children's author of the Herbie Jones, Horrible Harry series and numerous other children's books. Prior to her retirement in 2000, she taught elementary school for 27 years, and Children's Literature at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.
Suzy was named School District Teacher of the Year by thye State of Connecticut in 1987 and Probus Educator of the Year in Torrington, Connecticut in 1988.
The California native graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. Suzy has two married daughters and 5 grandchildren and lives with her husband Rufus in Willington, CT.
Danielle Mailer
Danielle Mailer, daughter of Peruvian painter, Adele Morales and writer, Norman Mailer, is beginning her tenth year of teaching art at Indian Mountain School, Lakeville, Connecticut. Mailer received her BA from Bowdoin College and studied at the New York Studio School and School of Visual Arts.
Mailer has been featured in many publications and magazines and her work has shown in galleries and museums throughout North America. Most recently she was the “featured artist” in a New York City show titled “Womanhood Unrestricted” and honored with a retrospective at the Mattatuck Museum with over 40 works on display.
In 2012, she received two “City Canvas” grants to create two site-specific permanent public art sculptures, situated in downtown Torrington, Connecticut and through another grant, will complete a freestanding sculpture outside Salisbury, Connecticut’s Scoville Library. Danielle has also been commissioned to design two wall pieces for a Boston hospital, whose identity cannot be revealed until installation in July 2013.
Mailer lives in northwest Connecticut with her husband, Jazz Trombonist, Peter McEachern, their three grown children who visit often, and their beloved terrier Merlin. She can be reached via email at Danielle@daniellemailer.com.
Jan Mazziotti
Jan Mazziotti recently retired from a career spanning more than 30 years with cosmetics giant Mary Kay Inc. where her leadership and relational skills garnered her the top position in the company as an Independent National Sales Director.
Today she is in demand as a gifted speaker at seminars and workshops all over the US, her topics range from Leadership & Inspiration to specific sales and recruiting training as she draws on her 30 years of experience as an industry leader and mentor.
Since her retirement with Mary Kay she has a become a manager with Isagenix and has launched a new business venture with MARIGOLDS & MAGIC, a retail operation specializing in gifts and accessories.
Jan resides in Connecticut with her husband, Joe, and enjoys spending time with her daughter, son-in-law and 2 beautiful grandchildren.
Jennifer Parsons (Master of Ceremonies)
Jennifer Parsons has been General Manager for radio station WZBG (97.3 FM) since August of 1993. Prior to her current position, she served as Local Sales Manager and Account Executive at WINE-AM and WRKI-FM in Danbury for many years. Parsons is a Director of the Connecticut Broadcasters Association, which represents the interests of the State’s licensed Broadcasters. She is an active member of the Torrington Rotary Club, a Vice-Chairman of the CJR Invitational Golf Tournament and formerly a member of the Board of Directors of the Litchfield Education Foundation. She also currently represents Litchfield on the Sandy Beach Commission.
Ms. Parsons resides in Litchfield, Connecticut with her husband and three boys.