Jill Edelman Barberie – Next Chapter Book Club Co-Lead
Jill is a licensed clinical social worker (Jill Edelman L.C.S.W.) in private psychotherapy practice for over five decades, first in NYC and then in Connecticut. She graduated with a BA from NYU and an MSW from Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work and received her psychoanalytic training from the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP) in New York City. Jill served on the board of the Mark Twain Library for eight years and was a founding member and chairman of the Allen and Helen Hermes Arts Series, which provides free cultural events at the Mark Twain Library in Redding, CT. Jill is the author of two blogs: www.thecouplestoolkit.com and www.parentingadultspecialneeds.com, as well as a print and e-book, This Crazy Quilt: Parenting Adult Special Needs One Day At A Time, with illustrations by her daughter, Juliette Barberie. Jill and her husband, Michael, live in Redding, and in addition to their daughter, Juliette, a SPHERE member who resides in Ridgefield, they have a son, Samuel, who lives and works in Manhattan.
Michele Barricelli – Cooking Class Co-Lead
Michele Barricelli has been in the food business since graduating from Plattsburgh State (NY) University in 1982 with a Food Science/Nutrition degree. Having the opportunity to volunteer for the National Charity League for the SPHERE cooking classes got her involved and excited to help weekly, along with her daughter Nola. Along with co-lead Lauren Radigan, she has been able to share her love of food and cooking with the members who inspire her every week.
Working at Baldor Specialty Foods, a specialty food and produce company in New York City, Michele has the opportunity to bring interesting gourmet items for all of the members to share and incorporate them into the weekly menus. Michele is encouraged and enlightened by the members and their growth as “chefs” with their weekly participation and their suggestions for future menus!
Arlene Litt – SPHERE In Action Co-Lead, SPHERE Bingo Lead
Arlene has resided in Ridgefield for over 20 years and is an employee of Ridgefield Public Schools, where she was recently honored with an award as Paraeducator of the Year. Arlene currently volunteers as a program lead for both Bingo and Walking Club. In addition, she occasionally hosts programs where SPHERE members can give back to the community. Arlene is both a volunteer and a parent of a SPHERE member. Rachel, her daughter, participates in many SPHERE programs. Arlene and her husband Mike contribute to SPHERE and also volunteer for Ridgefield Special Olympics.
Arlene has a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Connecticut and has many years of experience working with underserved populations, including individuals returning to community life after living in state institutions, dually diagnosed individuals in a group home setting, women completing life skills programming in a halfway house, and families in transition.
In her free time, Arlene enjoys time spent with family and friends. She loves swimming, walking, bowling, theatre, baking, and crafting. Arlene is grateful to SPHERE for providing meaningful programming that enriches the lives of individuals and provides for a welcoming community in which members are made to feel important and valued.
Caitlin Granucci – SPHERE Talks
A secondary special education teacher with a decade of service to SPHERE, Caitlin first joined the organization as a Gala volunteer alongside her family. She now plays a vital role in event planning and the leadership of SPHERE Talks, an educational workshop series designed for member enrichment. Caitlin’s work is fueled by her close connection to the members and her appreciation for the joyful, creative environment they cultivate together.
Caitlin and her husband, Dan, have three children who keep them busy when they aren’t working or volunteering!
Wendy Gannon Lionetti – SPHERE It Creations Lead
Wendy is a native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and works for the Town of Ridgefield. She created the SPHERE-It Creations program in 2011 to share her love of beading and creating jewelry with SPHERE members. The program has evolved to include working with clay, allowing SPHERE members to realize their creative potential in making unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry and clay art.
Wendy is active in volunteer work as a member of the Town of Ridgefield Emergency Preparedness PIO (Public Information Office) Team, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), and the Ridgefield Military Pride Committee, and was formerly on the Ridgefield Emmaus Board of Directors. Wendy is also involved in her church community at St. Elizabeth Seton.
A graduate of the Katharine Gibbs School, Wendy’s career began at a boutique advertising and PR firm in Ridgefield. After taking a break to spend several years at home raising her children, she returned to work and, inspired by her love for the town, sought employment with the Town of Ridgefield. Wendy has received several awards, including the Town of Ridgefield Employee of the Year, the SPHERE Volunteer of the Year, and the Town of Ridgefield Recycling Awareness Award.
Megan Marden – Art Program Lead
Artist and arts educator Megan Marden received an M.F.A. in painting from Western Connecticut State University in 2012. She exhibits her paintings regularly, including recent solo exhibitions in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and recent group exhibitions in New York and Pennsylvania.
She teaches courses in drawing, painting, and art history at Naugatuck Valley Community College and Post University. When she’s not painting, she enjoys working in her vegetable garden and playing with her dog, Foghorn.
Emily G. Pambianchi – Performing Arts Lead
Emily is the Founder of Social Graces Communications, a strategic communications company that works for small businesses and nonprofits with unique stories and strong core values. Her work also extends into the Arts and Education sectors, as she serves as the Middle School Theater Teacher and Director at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, CT.
In 2007, she started teaching theater at Ridgefield Academy and also began to volunteer for SPHERE! That passion to work and advocate for adults with disabilities led to an exciting new career at The Prospector Theater. In 2018, she decided to take a chance and risk opening her own business, centered around digital storytelling.
Emily’s aunt, Grace, has been a member of SPHERE since 2007, and her mother, Betsy, joined that year as a volunteer. Emily received the Ridgefield Arts Council “Behind the Scenes” Award in 2010. Emily is proud to live in Ridgefield, where she and her wife are raising their three young boys.
Lauren Radigan – Cooking Class Co-Lead
Lauren Radigan has a passion for people and food! After moving to Ridgefield with her family in 2014 after twenty years in New York City, she found the adjustment from city to country life to be a bit challenging, to say the least. She and her daughter, who was in the fourth grade at the time, were invited to SPHERE’s Thursday night music class. That changed everything!
Lauren brings her skills from her culinary background from the Institute of Culinary Education (2002) and her Communications Degree from Fordham University to SPHERE’s Cooking Class every week!