Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Naomi Pemberton
Welcome to NYWIFT, Naomi Pemberton! Naomi is a Bronx-born healthcare leader and storyteller whose work centers on resilience, faith, and the lived experiences of women navigating complex systems and personal transformation. An Afro-Latina with Jamaican and Dominican heritage, Naomi brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare administration into her creative work, drawing on real-world insight to shape powerful, socially conscious narratives. Her writing includes the Paradigms of Life trilogy, a series that explores sisterhood, identity, systemic challenges, and personal growth. Her books—including The Paradigms of Life: Sisterhood, Loss, and Unbreakable Bonds, Paradigms: The Experiment, and Life Paradigms: Work-Life Balance—follow women navigating betrayal, bias, ambition, and healing. Through her storytelling, Naomi blends emotional depth with broader social commentary, addressing issues such as workplace bias, faith, and the pursuit of balance in a demanding world. In addition to her writing, Naomi continues to mentor, lead, and inspire through her professional and community work. A dedicated advocate for underserved communities, she has held senior roles across healthcare systems and nonprofit organizations focused on health equity and community engagement, and serves on Bronx Community Board 11. Across healthcare, literature, and media, her mission remains the same: to create impact, amplify voices, and inspire the next generation of leaders and storytellers. In our interview, she reflects on her journey as a healthcare leader and author, the inspiration behind her book trilogy, and how storytelling can be a powerful tool for advocacy.
READ MORENYWIFT Member Spotlight: Jean Criss
Meet NYWIFT member Jean Criss, an accomplished woman in media and tech, who has founded four successful e-commerce companies, showcasing brand innovation and ability to create. With certifications in digital media, fashion, and business, Jean is a notable figure in the industry, regularly appearing on TV, podcasts, and live radio shows. She is also a philanthropist and passionate advocate for women in business, actively supporting growth and female empowerment. Jean’s commitment to emerging technologies and trends allows her to navigate these ever-changing territories with resilience and fortitude.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Mohana Rajakumar
Welcome to NYWIFT, Mohana Rajakumar! Mohana is a South Asian American scholar, novelist, screenwriter, and stand-up comic whose work regularly explores feminist themes. Some of her most notable literary accomplishments include winning the She Writes New Novelist Award in 2011 for her coming-of-age novel An Unlikely Goddess and the Best Indie Book Award for Romance in 2013 for Love Comes Later. She co-wrote and appeared in the short film Me Against the World, directed by Kali Bailey, which appeared in NYWIFT’s “Women in Film Night” at the 2022 Montauk Film Festival. Mohana has resided in Qatar since 2005. She spoke to us about working across various art forms, her writing process, and the special honor that comes with writing a banned book!
READ MORENYWIFT Member Spotlight: Arlette Thomas-Fletcher
NYWIFT member Arlette Thomas-Fletcher is a multi-talented filmmaker and production executive. She has handled every creative and technical aspect of media production during her decades-long career, writing, directing, and producing her own projects and those of others. Arlette is a published author and has several books on Amazon, including her children’s book Dreamer’s Journey, which was just released. She is currently working on an animated series called The Cat Faced Cat.
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