ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Driven, is a magazine about anyone who is EMPOWERED — Men, Women, Children, Families, Celebrities etc... Mostly Fashion based, its primary goal is to serve as an "online talk show”. Dealing with issues that ultimately make differences in today's WORLD. Here are just some of the people we will feature:

Ron Contarsy is our DRIVEN photographer of the month. Ron has been a leading international fashion and commercial photographer for more than fifteen years, shooting for top magazines and working with many of the best male and female models in the industry today. After winning first place in Eastman Kodak's Annual International High School Photography Contest in his senior year, Ron studied photography at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. Ron also went on to study at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Following Ron’s schooling, he pursued his other passion, skiing, and became a member of the US Freestyle Ski Team on the World Cup Tour. While competing in major skiing events, he also shot for periodicals such as Skiing, Ski, and Powder. In the late 1980's Ron devoted himself to photography full time. First opening a studio in New York to do commercial advertising, then moving to Milan in order to study fashion. Through the 1990's, he worked for several major French and Italian magazines including: Vogue, Vogue Gioiello, Elle, Italian Bazaar, and Amica. Ron continues to shoot editorial, advertising, and celebrity photography for publications in the United States and Europe, dividing his time between New York and Paris. Look for more work from Ron Contarsy in upcoming issues and at www.roncontarsy.com

We will also feature Families who have come along way and are working hard. We want to give advice to Men, Women, and their families, and focus towards becoming physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. We want to showcase people that have met their goals— People who have overcome fatal situations and are stronger than ever.

Sabrina Isambert is an inspiring Sister, Mother, Daughter, Aunt, and friend who, through good and bad times, keeps moving forward to stay DRIVEN. Sabrina’s company is Twelve 29 Signs and Graphix and she has been in the Graphics industry for eighteen years. Besides being a mother of a six-year-old daughter and a step-mom to a sixteen year old, her company keeps her working long hours. She not only sells the signs, she designs and installs them. Sabrina is a one-woman show and LOVES IT! She is forced to deal with some pretty harsh weather year around out on the work field. From business cards to posters, and banners to window letting, and large channel letter signs — Sabrina puts it ALL together. Although it can be exhausting and stressful at times, Sabrina does what it takes to run her business. It is worth all the hard work once the job is done. Sabrina has a BIG beautiful family who really supports her. This makes Sabrina's life full of hope for the future. We Love Sabrina and we Love her work. Visit her at www.1229signs.com. Tell her you heard about her from DRIVEN Magazine.

Jenna Palomino is a photographer in the Dallas—Fort Worth area, who is very talented and is Amazing at capturing true stories. "The thought of being limited to one type of photography is unbearable. I love capturing life as it happens around me”. Jenna's work includes: weddings, portraits, and her most incredible photos of children. Jenna has a keen eye for capturing moments during family gatherings. "You may call me a fickle photographer and you would be right. In photography, I have a fickle zeal to capture moments that will speak to and inspire the willing. What can I say, I love my job…fickle and all. " Jenna and her husband Andre are parents of wonderful daughter, Lana, who has Down syndrome (DS) "It captivated us to look into familiar eyes, for our DS Appreciation Portrait Event, doing our best to capture the true beauty of each person for who they are. After we finished our long but thrilling day, we rushed home to review the photographs. Warmth filled our hearts to see how amazing these special Gifts truly are. It allowed us to reflect on how much one extra chromosome has changed our lives, entirely…for the better!

We have been so privileged to go on this exhilarating roller coaster ride of emotions and self reflections to end-up in a new world almost everyday. What an adventure she has taken us on so far!!! We know that it’s only the beginning and we can’t wait to see how else she will help us evolve in this short life that we live. Only a few are chosen to be a part of this special adventure. We are the LUCKY ones! We have never seen as much beauty in life and the pureness of a moment until our daughter “rocked our world”. She has opened our eyes and hearts to a whole new existence that is filled with more joy and love which can never be expressed in words or actions to its fullness. FickleZeal was born because of Lana and all her glory. To be honest my favorite subjects are people with Down syndrome. It’s photographing their incredible beauty and going on the journey of awe and wonder with them. Each shoot is new and each person is unique. More than that each one of them brings out an inner part of me that I didn’t know existed. They awaken a better me!" To see Jenna's work, BLOGS, and more: go to www.fzphotography.com.

DRIVEN is proud to have Smashbox as our main sponsor. Smashbox is a cosmetic company, which we believe in. Their cosmetics are flawless and are used by every make- up artist in the industry. No palette would be complete if it weren’t for Smashbox. Look for upcoming beauty editorials for new looks using the latest cosmetics from Smashbox. Thank you Smashbox! Please go to: www.smashbox.com for a closer look at the make-up line.

Driven is so proud that Alon Jibli is one of our sponsors. Alan is on the list of New York City’s top promoters, who began his successful eighteen-year long career in the early 1990’s at the renowned Club, Tatou. As Tatou’s Promotional Director, Alon started the legendary “Tuesday Baby Tuesday” party that has become the longest running party in the history of NYC nightlife. Alon has also been involved in many openings and promotions of NYC’s best nightclubs such as: Life, Kit Kat, Lotus, Cipriani Upstairs, and Marquee, many others. Throughout the years, Alon has established an incredible network of followers that include: celebrities, executives from the fashion and entertainment industries, and many of the world’s socialites.

In addition, Alon has produced hundreds of corporate and special events for many world-famous clients such as: DKNY, Magazine, Tommy Hilfiger, Hampton magazine, Heidi Klum, IMG models, MTV, Peter Beard, Ralph Lauren, Fashion TV, and Alon’s knowledge and experience within the hospitality and promotion business has contributed to his work as a consultant to such companies as: Anheuser – Busch, The Dorchester Hotels, Bacardi Group, Mauboussin, Pama, Hugo Boss, and many more. Today "The Alon Jibli Group" is focusing on consulting to the hotel, restaurant, and club industries.

In 2001, Alon has expanded his operation overseas by joining the hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris, in an effort to open up a lounge at the hotel. The lounge was named “Le quickly became the “hottest” place to be. In 2004, Alon was involved in the opening of the Cipriani Beach Club in the resort town of Punta Del Este, Uruguay. Alon is regularly invited to Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and other top cities to produce events in some of the top and most elite local establishments. At the beginning of 2009 Alon opened the new restaurant BARBOUNIA, which quickly became a great success. Today Alon and his partnership are developing 2 more restaurants and a boutique hotel in downtown New York City. Follow Alon's special events by joining his Facebook page at "Barbounia Restaurant NYC". Or visit OpenTable.com to make your reservation.

Our goal is to reach out and help create networks and bring successful energies to those that are DRIVEN. We will have editorials that will showcase the latest Fashions—From Beauty Stories, to High End Culture, and the Hottest Celebrates. This makes a combination of wonderful stories and great reasons that combine Fashion and purpose. So much to do and talk about, DRIVEN will be an ICONIC magazine that will pass the test of time, because we are DRIVEN.

Anthony Isambert
Editor-in-Chief of DRIVEN Magazine

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Kwazar Brezan for inspiring the whole idea and for pushing me to go beyond my own imagination. Ron Contarsy for being there for me through when I needed you most. Judy Fritz for being My Biggest fan and 2 nd Mama, Sabrina Isambert, Jenna Pamolino, Andre’ Pamolino, Andrea Orme, Alon Jibli, Eric Von Brook, Lori Taylor, Santa Cruz, Wendy Williams [SHOUT IT OUT] Lionel Deluy, Cameron Carpenter, Tim Francis, Aurora Crowley, Micheal Isambert, Kenneth Roman, Sara Franzese, Lilly Melgar, Jessica Jimenez, Keisha Derry, Jeff Fasano, Shannon Paula, Maryam Aubelinh for coming to my rescue & Everyone that believed in me. My life and purpose wouldn’t be anything without God and My wonderful Mother I Love you with All My Heart.