Name: Melissa Ragonese Title: Interior Designer Company: Amenta Emma Architects Location: Stamford, CT Place of birth: New Haven, CT Family: Parents: Karen and Vince, Two younger brothers: Matt and Vince College: Pratt Institute- Brooklyn, NY First job unrelated to your current field: Front store clerk at Towne Pharmacy First job in current field: Interior Designer at Amenta Emma Architects What your firm does now and its plans for the future? Amenta Emma's growing Stamford office focuses on modern, stream-lined corporate interiors projects. Our office plans(and has already begun) to gradually expand its portfolio of work to include some healthcare and hospitality projects, as well. Hobbies: Cooking, baking, trying new foods, taking dance classes in NYC, traveling, relaxing at the beach, spending time with friends and family Favorite novel: Here are a few favorites- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, The Hunger Games series, just finished an excellent memoir called The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson Favorite film: "Amelie" Keys to success: Smile. Do your best. Don't sweat the small stuff. Person(s) you most admire (outside of family): Ellen DeGeneres. If you had to choose a different profession, what would it be? Dancer and choreographer/teacher