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Spark Hamptons’ Spark Makers of 2025: Meet The People Lighting Up the East End
Meet the Spark Makers of 2025: The People Making Sparks in the Hamptons
Time flies. Make sparks. That’s our motto at Spark Hamptons.
Our mission is to inform and entertain—to bring you the best stories and events, share the brightest voices in the community, and highlight the people making sparks.
As the year comes to a close, we present our Spark Makers of 2025.
What is a ‘Spark Maker’?
But what does it really mean to “make sparks”?
Much like the spark of a great idea, our Spark Makers light up a room. They are dynamic, effective, creative, successful achievers in their fields—often leaders, innovators, visionaries, trendsetters, and tastemakers.
Who are our 2025 Spark Makers?
Our Spark Makers of 2025 are passionate about what they do. Their work and presence spark conversation. They make sparks—for good.
Do you agree with this year’s list? Write to us with your thoughts and suggestions. We’re just getting started at Spark Hamptons and welcome your input.
Angela LaGreca, Editor
Spark Hamptons
angela@sparkhamptons.com
Max Alexander & Fern Mallis — fashion
When fashion icon Fern Mallis—creator of New York Fashion Week—teamed up with 9-year-old Max Alexander, often cited as the youngest fashion designer in the world, creative sparks flew at Five Story in Southampton. Their designs launched in August under @ferntothemax, and the collaboration is one to watch. Alexander’s designs are set to debut on the runways of Paris.
fermallis.com
maxalexandershop.com
Christie Brinkley — author, entrepreneur, actress
Lines wrapped around the tent at the 2025 Authors Night as fans waited to meet Christie Brinkley and have her New York Times best-selling memoir signed. Uptown Girl: A Memoir—The Inspiring Journey of Christie Brinkley, Beloved Supermodel and All-American Icon (April 2025, HarperCollins) drew enormous interest. Known worldwide as one of the most successful fashion models of all time, Brinkley is also an accomplished entrepreneur, actress, and environmental advocate. She continues to inspire—and make sparks.
Toni DeMauro & Michael Catalano — The Hub
Michael Catalano and Toni DeMauro, owners of The HUB made sparks fly with their events and curating in 2025. Photo courtesy of The HUB
There didn’t seem to be a quiet weekend at The Hub this season. Fashion events, creative makers, entrepreneurs, authors, beauty and wellness brands, celebrity fitness trainer Isaac Boots, art showcases, Marc Jacobs designer bags, and a screening of Show Me the Money—a documentary about the importance of venture capital support for women-owned businesses—were just some of the highlights. DeMauro and Catalano transformed the space into a true center for networking and creative energy. It was no accident that SparkHamptons.com hosted its launch party and creative salon there in September.
Rick Freeman — Hamptons Fine Art Fair
More than 130 galleries from 15 countries and over 600 artists participated in the 15th annual Hamptons Fine Art Fair, drawing a diverse crowd of seasoned collectors, new buyers, and the art-curious. Veteran producer and executive director Rick Freeman’s passion for art continues to spark the East End’s cultural scene. Along with partner and consultant Cindy Lou Wakefield and their team, he delivered a successful fair despite a challenging art market year. Featured artists included Hunt Slonem, Yigal Ozeri, Ron Agam, Gerald Byrne, and works by Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Pollock Pavilion.
Larry Gagosian — art dealer/book store owner
When mega art dealer, gallery owner, and longtime Amagansett resident Larry Gagosian purchased the beloved BookHampton from Carolyn Brody, the local literary community held its collective breath. Gagosian not only preserved the bookstore but expanded its offerings into art and design. His love of books and belief in the importance of browsing and independent bookstores bodes well for the cultural life of the East End—and proves that sparks in the art world can ignite the book world, too.
Don Lemon — media
After departing CNN in 2023, Don Lemon reinvented himself by launching The Don Lemon Show in 2024. By November 2025, the show surpassed one million YouTube subscribers—a major milestone celebrated by his devoted “Lemon Nation.” Reaching audiences across social media platforms, Lemon has embraced independent media with boldness and authenticity. The Don Lemon Media Network is making sparks with his live broadcasts,. And this year he gets to do a New Year’s Eve show his own way in New Orleans,
Jill Martin — media, entrepreneur, advocate
Emmy Award–winning television personality and Southampton resident Jill Martin has inspired millions through her work on NBC’s TODAY. This year, she continued that impact by sharing her breast cancer journey and launching her clothing line, The Warrior Effect, in October. Turning pain into purpose, Martin advocates for early detection and genetic testing while offering comfortable, stylish apparel with a powerful message. She continues to make sparks as a journalist, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate.
Minerva Perez — Executive Director, OLA
Minerva Perez has been a steadfast advocate for the Latino community on the East End since 2006. After beginning as a volunteer with OLA (Organización Latino Americana of Eastern Long Island), she became executive director in 2014. This year, her work has felt more urgent than ever amid heightened immigration enforcement and ICE raids in the community. Perez has called on officials to address procedures and questioned legalities while protecting those she serves. Her determination creates sparks—and real impact.
Ryan Serhant — CEO, SERHANT.
Ryan Serhant’s charisma, brand power, and massive social media following are undeniable. His drive to make SERHANT. the world’s No. 1 brokerage remains front and center, while his Netflix series Owning Manhattan has further cemented his household-name status. The firm surpassed $1 billion in sales this year, and relocating the Hamptons office to Main Street in Bridgehampton positions Serhant for continued success. Adventurous, driven, and relentlessly energetic, Serhant makes sparks wherever he goes.
Jean Shafiroff — philanthropist, author, television host
If Jean Shafiroff is hosting or chairing an event, you can expect elegance—and purpose. At a time when charitable giving has slowed for some, Shafiroff continues to lead with generosity, supporting causes including women’s rights, health care, underserved communities, animal welfare, the arts, LGBTQ+ rights, and global human rights. Known as the “First Lady of Philanthropy,” she serves on numerous nonprofit boards and has helped raise millions of dollars following a successful Wall Street career. Her unwavering commitment to supporting charitable causes makes her a true Spark Maker of 2025.
