Barbara Konish, Executive Director

Barbara Konish has more than 35 years of management and business development experience. For ten years, she served as Executive Director of Sales for an international cosmetic company, where she was among the top recruiters in the company.

In the late 1980’s, Barbara left the corporate world and became an entrepreneur, starting one of the first metaphysical shops in Rochester, NY. She began promoting events the following year. It was also during that time in which she established her now thriving private practice.

In 2002, Barbara founded New Moon. What began as a small metaphysical event has since grown into an altruistic organization dedicated to helping people around the world who are on the path of self-discovery.

• Strengths: Visionary, intuitive, inspirational, big-picture thinker, honorable, respectful, compassionate, joyful, funny, passionate, and has an infectious laugh.
• Weaknesses: Harley Davidsons
• Favorite Thing About New Moon: Its life force and dynamic energy

Vicki Preston, Financial Director

Vicki Preston has more than 30 years of experience serving in both financial and project management roles in the automotive industry, and is currently an accounting manager for a local manufacturing firm. She is also a Level II Reiki practitioner, as well as a reflexologist.

On behalf of New Moon, Vicki is in charge of the financial health of the organization, and also oversees contracting for New Moon’s events exhibitors.

• Strengths: Financial management and business operations expertise, highly organized, good at prioritizing and meeting deadlines, strategic thinker, enjoys sharing love & laughter with others (and has a beautiful smile!), compassionate healer.
• Weaknesses: Seeing as she’s a 4^th degree Black Belt in Goshin Jitsu Karate, a 4^th Degree Black Belt in Aiki Jujitsu, 1^st Degree Black Belt in Iaido (Japanese Sword), and a woman’s self-defense instructor, every indication is that Vicki does not have a weakness (although she claims it’s chocolate).
• Favorite Thing About New Moon: Working with Barbara Konish and other incredible people on a regular basis, being part of a healing organization whose mission is to help raise the vibration of the world, and being able to use the skills she’s acquired throughout her lifetime to assist in this effort.

Karen Kurchyne, Communications Administration & Social Media

Karen Kurchyne has more than 22 years of experience working for a Fortune 500 company in various customer service positions. Currently, she serves as a purchasing agent for marketing & telecommunications services.

On behalf of New Moon, Karen serves in an overall organizational, technical, and administrative role. She is in charge of social media, communication dissemination, and also assists with business development efforts.

• Strengths: Detail oriented, organized, technically savvy, creative thinker, eager to help, easy to be around, sparkly eyes, and loves to laugh!
• Weaknesses: Peanut butter cups (oh yeah!)
• Favorite Thing About New Moon: Getting to work with some really giving, warm and caring people, who are all focused on expanding New Moon’s reach. “I love being a part of organizing this year’s expo after getting so much out of last year’s! It’s also nice to, in a small way, give something back.”

Cookie Stringfellow, Event Logistics Coordinator

Cookie Stringfellow is an entrepreneur and master networker who quite possibly knows everyone in the Greater Rochester Area (and at this point, well beyond, thanks to the Internet!).

On behalf of the New Moon Expo, Cookie puts her networking expertise to work and assists with business development efforts. She is also responsible for coordinating many of the finer details of the show, ensuring its success.

• Strengths: Outgoing, curious, enterprising, well-connected, interesting, organized, fun to be around, and a great story teller.
• Weaknesses: Puppies, star gazing, always saying “yes!”
• Favorite Thing About New Moon: The opportunity to network within a growing spiritual community she holds so dear to her heart, and of course, working with, “…the best Advisory Board in the whole wide world! Thanks to Barbara, Megan, Vicki and Karen.”

George Corbett, Events Manager

George Corbett is a career machinist with more than 25 years of experience, including serving in various supervisory and lead-man roles. He is currently a building mechanic & locksmith for a local school district, not to mention an all-around great guy.

On behalf of New Moon, George serves as Events Manager, ensuring that all of New Moon’s productions are executed seamlessly, and to the high standards exhibitors have come to expect.

• Strengths: Dependable, tenacious, helpful, focused, patient, intelligent, practical, compassionate, great smile, and fun to be around.
• Weaknesses: If it’s mechanical, he wants “in!”
• Favorite Thing About New Moon: Executive Director, Barbara Konish