Page 16 - Rising Stars 40 Under 40

40UNDER40 | RISING STARS OF WESTCHESTER
DWAYNE NORRIS, 34
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Soulful Synergy LLC
What do you enjoy most about your
chosen profession/industry?
The thing I enjoy most about my profession is the ability to be creative in my approach to problem solving and working collaboratively with others to make a sustainable impact.
What is your definition of success?
My simple definition of success would be ‘living a life of your own design, on your own terms, in a way that adds value to others.’
What is your most cherished hobby?
My favorite hobby is training martial arts. I have trained in Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do for over 13 years with about half of that time as an instructor. I love the physical expression and process of training for personal development and liberation of the mind, body and spirit.
ELMER OLIVEROS, 31
Owner & Chef
Brother's Fish & Chips
What is your definition of success?
My definition of success is waking up every morning and do what I love.
What do you enjoy most about your
chosen profession/industry?
What I enjoy the most of my industry is being able to create and experience with people.
If you could have lunch with one historic
figure, who would it be?
If I could have lunch with one historic figure it would be Chef Anthony Bourdain because I feel he understood cooks and food like no other.
Chef Anthony was an extraordinary person who understood and knew how to communicate the struggles chefs face in the kitchen and the amount of love and care we put in each dish before it goes to the tables.
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN, 37
Senior Vice President for Enrollment & Student Affairs
Iona College
Name one habit of a highly successful
person.
Highly successful people have tremendous work ethic and are unwilling to accept mediocrity. They trade acceptable for excellence.
What do you enjoy most about your
chosen profession/industry?
What I enjoy most about my profession is the transformative impact a college education can provide to a student’s future upward mobility. One of the things I love about my job is the direct interaction working with students and helping to support their academic success with a comprehensive and transformative student experience outside of the classroom.
Provide one networking tip.
Join relevant professional associations to provide access to the opportunity to network. Next, be proactive in introducing yourself at networking events and then follow up with a contact after meeting them.
TAYLOR PALMER, 35
Partner
Cuddy & Feder LLP
Name one of your ‘unusual’ talents.
While it’s hardly an unusual talent, I can certainly grill up a mean steak.
Provide one networking tip.
My one networking tip is to know that networking can happen anywhere and at any time. Whether it’s at the coffee shop or at a BCW event – have that 30-second elevator speech ready to go.
What do you enjoy most about your
chosen profession/industry?
What I enjoy most about being a land-use attorney is the opportunity to be a positive change agent and advocate for our clients’ exciting visions that become realities in our local communities.
S16 | WESTCHESTER COUNTY 40UNDER40 | 2021