Chris began his career on Wall Street right after high school. However, he was always interested in the technical aspect of business and so it seemed logical for him to pursue a career in that area. Continuing his education at The Chubb Institute allowed him to enhance his knowledge of the technology field. Chris became involved in IT Administration for a well-known Manhattan based “Dot-com” company in 1999. By 2011, he was at InterGlobe on Staten Island. Over time, he and his manager partnered to create the business, Comserv Consulting. Chris later formed Comserv Connect, which focuses on building, managing, and securing clients’ cyber assets. Now, he is affiliated with many organizations in the NY and NJ metro area, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Bucks Business Network group.
Lorna Harris
Lorna Harris is a communicator, fundraiser, and strategist, and provides solutions that enhance performance, operational, governance, and fiscal success for individuals, and organizations. Her commitment to creating infrastructure and systems to house ideas in socially conscious facilities earned recognition at the 2016 Architecture Venice Biennale and with the 2018 Frame Award in the category of architectural social projects designed by architect Louise Braverman.
As a visionary, she held leadership roles at the Ford Foundation, and consulted with the Alliance of NY State Arts Organizations, NY State Council on the Arts, National Endowment of the Arts, National Performance Network, and others. She worked for Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the Office of Business Diversity and Civil Rights, where she was charged with creating financial opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses. Through her dedication to education and the arts she helped establish a sustainable arts-based public middle school in NYC as well as the first social-emotional curriculum K-5 charter school in Richmond County, NY. She has also launched fundraising and public relations campaigns specializing in multicultural, multidisciplinary, legacy, and cause-related projects such as the Romare Bearden Homecoming Celebration and the Green Roof at Silver Cup Studios and produced many art exhibitions, convenings, and events.
Lorna is currently developing arts-based collaborative immigration and refugee projects in NYC. She holds a professional Certificate of Leadership from Cornell University School of Labor and is an alumna of Beloit College.
Mark Giacalone
Mark currently holds the position of vice president of US Private Banking for IDB Bank, where he supports the expansion of the bank’s depository, lending, and investment portfolio.
A lifelong Staten Islander, Mark graduated from St. Peter’s Boys’ High School and attained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurial Studies from Paul Smith’s College. Mark maintains key roles in various organizations in addition to his role as a board member for Sundog Theatre. This includes the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, with his involvement in the organization’s Young Professionals Group along with serving as a committee member for their Police Officer of the Year Luncheon. He is also a board member and finance committee member for the Staten Island Broadway YMCA, member of the SIEDC Young Professionals Group along with being a Member of the Italian Club of Staten Island Foundation. A fun fact about Mark is that he also works part-time in the maritime industry as a longshoreman.
Mark resides in the Eltingville section of Staten Island with his wife, Alex and his son Luca. When he’s not working he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Amanda Straniere
Amanda Straniere is a lifelong Staten Islander who loves to support organizations and initiatives that bring culture to life in her hometown. She currently works as Regional & Community Affairs Specialist at Con Edison, where she builds relationships with elected officials, shares initiatives with the community, and supports non-profits through the company’s charitable giving program. Previously, she served as Development Manager for the Staten Island Museum and the Director of Tourism & Cultural Affairs at the Office of the Staten Island Borough President. She is a graduate of Dickinson College, the University of East Anglia, and earned an Executive MPA from Baruch College. In addition to serving on the Board of Sundog Theatre, Amanda is also a representative on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for CreateNYC.
Marjorie Hack
Marjorie has served as one of the theatre’s teaching artists for seven years. Prior to teaming up with Sundog, she worked for some 22 years at the Staten Island Advance – first as a reporter, then as an editor. She left full-time employment at the Advance in the summer of 2014, after serving for close to seven years, first as city editor, then as an assistant managing editor. For the next year and a half, she edited Q magazine, a publication of the Staten Island Media Group, handled freelance projects for the Advance, and wrote for Staten Island Parent magazine.