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Arts Week Lunch & Leads
To celebrate St. Luke’s Annual Arts Week, the Center for Leadership held three Lunch & Leads all focused on design. Under Armour Assistant Designer and SLS alumnae Dominique Bandoo ‘09 was the first to share her experiences with the Upper School students. She noted “I was surprised how much math is part of daily work life. I still use my TI-84 calculator from school all the time!” She gave advice about being a young person in the work world and emphasized the importance of internships.
Ann Taylor’s Creative Director Lisa Axelson reiterated the value of internships during her Lunch & Lead the following day. Axelson knew early on she wanted to pursue art and attended New York’s Parsons School for Design. With a strong education and a passion for fashion, Axelson has designed for Gap, Banana Republic, Abercrombie and Fitch, Club Monaco, Ruehl and Ann Taylor. She credited her bosses (including Kay Krill, Ann Inc. CEO & President and SLS parent & trustee) for encouragement and guidance during her career. Axelson said, “I was taught as a manager, it isn’t just about producing good individual results but motivating and supporting your entire team to also produce great work.”
The design topic shifted from clothing to theatre when Projection, Lighting and Scenic Designer Jeff Sugg wrapped up the week of Lunch and Leads. Sugg always knew he wanted to do something to give back to the community and was drawn to the world of theater. His work has ranged from big Broadway productions to international projects. While his career path has had many challenges, it has also been very rewarding. Sugg said, “When you work on a live performance, it’s magical.”
All three Lunch & Leads packed the Center for Leadership’s Global Classroom and were highpoints in SLS Arts Week 2015.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
