May is a month of renewal and promise. Mother Earth is sloughing off the cold damp of her winter months and we're all awakened to fresh, hopeful beginnings. And that's exactly why May is the perfect month to celebrate the vibrant, dynamic women leading so much change, progress, and growth in our local communities. Women have long known that wellness and wisdom go hand in hand and this month we are shining a light on four strong, resilient women as they lead the charge for change, locally.
Elisa D'Amelio and Sabrina Cosentino
Elisa D'Amelio is a mental health advocate and author of From Broken, to Beautifully Broken, published in 2023. According to Elisa, "your traumas don't have to define you. You can turn grief into growth and use that as a catalyst for transformation into your best self." Her book and its remarkable impact in and beyond our community inspired her to create a more far-reaching platform.
She and her partner, Sabrina Cosentino, established the Wellness Gala to raise funds for programs in the mental health space but also to create a place of healing that attendees can return to. In Elisa's words: "It's a night of fun and connection. Part of healing is knowing you're not alone. This is about sparking conversations that are often shrouded in shame. We want to dismantle that stigma and bring people together in hope and in health."
Sabrina is a powerhouse in her own right; founder of Within by Sabrina, an integrative coaching organization with an emphasis on holistic health, she told me: "Having started out my professional career in pharmaceutical sales, I worked closely with physicians, and the primary means of treating patients in pain and in need was treating the symptoms; most often, with medication. I just knew there was a better, more natural way to approach wellness by breaking issues down to their root causes." Sabrina followed that instinct and her passion and enrolled at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition where she was certified and now practices as an integrative health coach.
These two extraordinary women serve as co-hosts and committee members of the Annual Wellness Gala, an event dedicated to celebrating resilience, raising awareness, and demystifying the stigma surrounding mental health. This year's festivities take place on May 15, 2026. Proceeds will directly support The JED Foundation's mental health initiatives.
When I asked Sabrina what sets this gala apart, she said: "This year, we're intent on creating a space for support – not just on the night of the Gala – but beyond that. Our gala is a meeting place where you'll see familiar faces year after year, creating a shared community of hope and resilience." Elisa agreed, "It's a positive, collaborative opportunity to network with individuals who have lived through a similar experience or who genuinely care about the cause. This network spurs a conversation about what we've endured, what has worked, what hasn't worked, how some of us pivoted. THAT lived experience lends a credibility that resonates with so many people."
When I asked Sabrina what success looks like to her, she described the change she sees in her clients: they feel better in their bodies, are more mentally focused, and spiritually grounded. "And when it comes to the gala, success is when people leave but take along with them a deep sense of belonging." Elisa agreed. "Personally, when I get emails from strangers telling me that I've made a difference for them in recovery – that's some level of success in this work. As far as the Gala, it's exactly what Sabrina said – the ongoing forward-reaching conversation coming out of the gala – that's our success."
Both women are mothers who view their future initiatives through the lens of their roles as caregivers. Elisa envisions creating an online platform that meets monthly so that those in the community have a sense of continuity and shared space to heal, vent, support, and grow together.
Alexandra Miles
Alexandra Miles is a filmmaker, mental health advocate, business strategy consultant, and college tour and Fortune 500 corporate event speaker making a huge impact in our area and beyond. Her film, Project Blackbird, was really just the launching pad, she told me. "The film tour doesn't just aim to de-stigmatize mental health conversations. It's about using that platform to make an impact for real change, so I shaped the success of the film into a program that offers actual concrete resources that weren't necessarily available to me in my time of need." Alexandra's mission is all about the power of storytelling. Her program features a 45-minute panel with professional athletes, actors, artists, and other role models sharing their lived experience, after which students are invited to share their own stories. Project Blackbird provides journal prompts so that everyone is invited to share a message of hope to be left behind for a stranger — and they are encouraged to take one written by a stranger among them. Every student in the audience is offered a full year of therapy at no cost, coupled with a resource fair curated for that specific audience — local partnerships with gyms, community spaces, banks assisting with financial literacy, and campus life resources for attendees combating loneliness, homelessness, and other issues that can worsen without immediate support.
When I asked Alexandra what sets Project Blackbird apart, she didn't hesitate. "We are intent on reaching more people by collaborating on the local level." One such collaboration led to her working closely with Elisa D'Amelio to create an awareness event here in New Jersey. "It is Project Blackbird's goal to amplify the resources within each school and each community — to take what they're already doing and enhance it so that it's not just about awareness — it's about follow-up and actual support that impacts those living there. Our efforts are locally based, but they're also universally relatable."
When we talked about success, Alexandra shared a story about an early event at the University of Texas, Austin, where two girls told her their roommate hadn't gotten out of bed in weeks — but she was there that day. "We showed up for someone and she saw herself in us. And she left knowing that she was not alone." Project Blackbird recently began working with the Department of Education on an HBCU tour, with plans to reach 74 colleges and universities within the next two years. "We want students to recognize that their heroes aren't perfect; they struggle, too. We want them to know they are not alone."
Stefanie Shore
Stefanie Shore is a strategic healthcare leader, a board-certified nurse practitioner, adjunct graduate nursing professor at William Paterson University, and health and wellness speaker. Whatever hat she's wearing, she delivers with an expertise that honors collaboration, accountability, and integrity. Mentorship has always been incredibly important to Stefanie. "As an alumna of William Paterson, it means a lot to remain close to the university and to mentor the next generation of clinicians. I've also had the privilege of working with the Pesce Foundation, which focuses on supporting and empowering young women through education and leadership. Programs like that remind me how powerful guidance and encouragement can be early in someone's life."
Stefanie is also founder and owner of The Reset Consulting, LLC, whose mission centers around health and wellness coaching, mindset and self-worth enhancement, and life transitions support. "It's not about changing who you are. It's about bringing out the unique qualities that already exist within you — accepting who you are, showing up for yourself, and growing into the next version of your life. I'm honored to be an incoming board member at JBWS (Jersey Battered Women's Shelter); I'm a strong ambassador for their mission. My goal has always been to be a voice for people who feel like they don't have one. I truly believe that when you live generously and help others, abundance follows."
A NJ resident for nearly 20 years, Stefanie is proud to call Wayne her home. "It's where I've raised my family and built my career. Being able to care for people in my own community makes the work even more meaningful. Where I hope to make a difference is helping make our community healthier and creating spaces where people feel comfortable talking about hard things. When people feel seen, supported, and connected to each other, that's when a community really becomes stronger." When I asked Stefanie how she views her various roles in the context of her community, she told me: "For me, it's less about changing the community and more about recognizing the good that's already here. There are so many incredible people doing meaningful things, and sometimes the most important thing is simply shining a light on them."
We at Wayne Lifestyle couldn't agree more! We are delighted to honor these four remarkable women who are changing the landscape of our shared community — leading with health, healing, and hope.