Contributors

Smitha Sadanandan is an accomplished journalist, who writes on travel, lifestyle, design, jewelry and watches for several publications including Upscale Living Magazine.

Over the years, Rahim Kanani has published hundreds of interviews with the world’s leading innovators, executives and philanthropists. His writing has been featured in a number of national and international publications including Forbes, CNN, the Ottawa Citizen, San Francisco Chronicle, International Herald Tribune/New York Times, Stanford Social Innovation Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, Huffington Post, Al Arabiya, Reuters, and many others.

Influenced by her international upbringing and travels, the importance of being culturally aware resonated with Deve at an early age and continues to lead her down her career path. After receiving her degree from Southern Methodist University in Fine Art, Foreign Language and Business, Deve has worked in various career sectors and is currently a partner in a thriving international distribution company and actively curates art exhibitions worldwide. Creating a solid career reputation and building on her success she began incorporating more of her personal aspirations into her life and now dedicates her free time in supporting organizations that transforms the lives of women and children in developing countries and continually participates in the encouragement of cultural art exchange platforms that give artists the opportunity to exhibit internationally.

Heléne Ramackers is a freelance journalist who enjoys interviewing local and international celebrities but thinks she has found her calling amongst the travel writing fraternity. A creature comfort girl at heart, she loves all things opulent. Her first taste of the bushveld was all it took to get bitten by the ‘bush-bug’, an absolute life-altering experience. She now longs for the expanse of wide open spaces, a pollution-free sky and the roar of a lion lulling her to sleep. When she’s not fantasising about her next leopard sighting, she thrives on taking photographs of her family and loves capturing the beauty of sunrises, sunsets, rainbows and the magnificence of the full moon. Born and bred in Cape Town, this wife and doting mother loves visiting the beauty that is right on her doorstep – the splendour Table Mountain, the crashing waves at Bloubergstrand and the alluring scenery of the winelands. To add Upscale Living to her portfolio is a dream come true!

Dubai-based journalist and Upscale Living contributor, Dellvin Roshon Williams, is a luxury lifestyle content writer and brand messaging, strategist. The rakish raconteur has penned world-class editorial features for US and Middle Eastern titles such as Haute Time, Luxury Hoteliers, Debonair, and Watch 1010. He specializes in Haute Horlogerie, elite travel: super yachts and luxury private aviation, and has a penchant for all things cognac.

A freelance writer and editor who travels the world covering the luxury jewelry and watch industries. Anthony currently works as a lifestyle correspondent and “resident jewelry expert” for Forbes.com, covering the U.S. jewelry market for JewelryNetAsia, a Hong Kong-based Web publication; and also contributes to the Financial Times Watches & Jewellery special reports. For nine years prior, I was a senior editor for JCK magazine, a leading U.S. jewelry industry trade publication.

Karen Holly Berliner is a seasoned freelance journalist with a true love and flare for luxury food, wine and travel writing. Her passion for journalism coupled with her appreciation and driving interest in food and luxury travel, coupled with an insatiable wanderlust to boot, inspires her to explore this big world and bring back her finds to the local reader. Her work has been featured prior in English Magazine, Simply The Best Magazine, Downtown NYC Magazine, Singular Magazine, Los Angeles, Westchester Magazine, Bergen County Magazine, New Jersey Life, Edible East End (The Hampton’s), Social Life (The Hampton’s), No. 3 Magazine, NYC, Ocean Style, Gladys national glossy magazine, Haute Living and the NY Journal News among other publications.

Following being published on Fast Company as well as Wired Innovations Insights, Jarone expanded his writing portfolio to cover luxury travel, goods, unique experiences along with restaurants and lifestyle articles for numerous websites. From luxury hotels, all-inclusive resorts and VIP experiences, Jarone has written about exclusive properties only offered to the discerning traveler and consumer. Jarone is a native to Los Angeles and spends his free time traveling, playing sports and is always up for an adventure.

Tim Cotroneo is a travel writer specializing in island hotels, villas, and golf. My passion for writing was sparked by an article covering the Turks and Caicos Islands. A series of golf articles blossomed into travel destination pieces and business profiles. Nothing gets me jazzed like the anticipation of a trip to a destination I’ve never visited before. At each new stop, I find fascinating people with a story to tell. I love hearing and writing about how a particular setting makes a difference in one’s life. I enjoy describing what is unique about each place and how this location made someone’s dream come alive. Since 2008, I’ve been the Travel Writer for American Business Magazine. I write entrepreneurial profiles wrapped in destination pieces. My goal is to share how these individuals have found career success on their own little piece of paradise

As a freelance writer and photographer, Tracy Ellen Beard’s work has been published in Northwest Travel & Life, Luxe Beat Magazine, Communities Digital News, Wander With Wonder, and other magazines. Her stories focus on luxury and adventure travel, spas, fine dining, and wine. Tracy shares a unique perspective on the world from both her personal travels and her excursions as the founder and past president of an international children’s nonprofit. She attended culinary school in San Francisco, California, and owned a catering company giving her an authoritative understanding of food. Her fifteen years of experience writing in various genres strengthens her storytelling.

Leslie E. Royal is a global travel journalist, international freelance writer, product review expert, and social media influencer. In addition to Upscale Living, her articles have appeared in numerous publications including ESSENCE, Black Enterprise, FORTUNE.com, Upscale, The Ashro Blog, and the Travel Bags with Annita Blog. Leslie has authored two books: Leslie Lane The Book!: Your One Stop Internet Resource Guide to Links for Jobs, Inspiration, Discounts, FREE Stuff, Scholarships, Travel & More (Amazon $14.95) and How to Write and Self-Publish Your Book for FREE with Amazon’s KDP: An Easy Way to Complete Your Manuscript in Seven Stress-Free Steps (Leslie’s Lane Inc.) (Amazon $9.95) Follow Leslie @LesliesLane on Instagram and other social media sites as well as her Amazon Author page.

Adam Jacot de Boinod is a freelance international journalist covering the world's languages, cultural comparisons and travel destinations. He worked on the first series of the BBC programme QI for Stephen Fry and is an author on languages. He has written three books for Penguin Books, the first two (The Meaning of Tingo and Toujours Tingo) looking at words that have no equivalent in the English language, and his third book (The Wonder of Whiffling) looking at unusual words in English and has the daily column "On This Day" in the Daily Mail.

writer and award winning author in NY focused on biz/tech. Do occasional features on outdoor and motorsports

Raj Gill is a Journalist. She worked at The Sunday Times, London for three years. She is currently a Freelance Journalist, and has had work published in Suitcase, Elite Traveler Magazine, Haute Living, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Sunday Herald, The Herald’s Saturday Magazine, Scotland on Sunday, The Daily Record, The Sunday Mail Magazine, The Evening Times, High 50, The Scots Magazine, Pro Hair & Beauty Magazine, Thomson, The Jewish Telegraph, Yours Magazine, Scotland Now, The Good Spa Guide, Inspire Magazine and many others. Online Ms. Gill’s work has been published in Family Fun Guide, Travel Mood, IFashion Magazine, Where and Now magazine, Huffington Post UK and the Luxury Travelers Guide.com.

Ava Roxanne Stritt is a travel writer and blogger with more than 23,000 Twitter followers plus many more for her other platforms and freelance work. Fox News, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Spa Week and the Atlanta Journal Constitution have recently quoted her concerning spa, travel, skin care, fashion, technology, environmental, and various women’s topics. As a travel writer and the editor of Spa Travel Gal, her articles have appeared with Spa Week, H Magazine, Destinations Travel Magazine, CBS News, Upscale Living Magazine, Examiner and various other media outlets. Ava Roxanne is a writer, a financial analyst, and a wife and mother from Atlanta. For her writings on the joys of travel, spas, skincare, and ways to refresh your life follow her blog SpaTravelGal

Cy Davison is a published photographer who specializes in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. His cinematic eye has given him the ability to work with top designers, artist and models from all over. Aside from photography, Cy is an accomplished composer, film maker and graphic artist. He loves spending time with his wife and two kids and creating beautiful works of art through Hebraic calligraphy.

Having worked in various music & entertainment, news & current affairs, along with language departments at the BBC in London, freelance journalist Angela Sara West has since been prolifically published in print/digital travel & lifestyle, property & interiors and trade & business magazines around the world.With her finger on the celebrity pulse, she has interviewed everyone from Michael Douglas, Sir Richard Branson and Ivana Trump, to Suzi Quatro, Claudia Schiffer and Sir Cliff Richard! www.angelasarawest.com

Colette’s wealth of experience in the superyacht industry and keen interest in lifestyle, travel and gastronomy make her the perfect fit for Upscale Living Magazine. She has joined recently Relevance’s UK team as Content Editor, having previously worked at Superyacht Technology magazine reporting on a range of luxury technologies.

With 10 years of experience working in the yachting industry on the French Riviera, Chrissie McClatchie knows how to write about luxury. She has recently joined the team at Relevance in Monaco as Content Editor, after a year spent back home in Australia profiling leading business executives for global publication, The CEO Magazine.

Merilee A. Kern is a good life connoisseur who keeps her finger on the pulse of the luxury marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves. In addition to her Luxe List endeavors, Merilee owns and operates a highly successful boutique Public Relations agency, Kern Communications (https://www.KernCommunications.com), where she serves as a senior-level publicist and spokesperson for various products, services and brands proffered by the clients she represents.

Shaun Melady is a native-Floridian now residing in New York City with a background in Marketing Communications. In his Mass Communications career, he managed Public Relations, Marketing and Communications for companies such as SeaWorld, the NASCAR company, Jaguar Land Rover and various other corporations. Shaun transitioned his focus to Fashion, Lifestyle and Luxury Journalism. He edits and writes for not only Upscale Living Magazine, but is also Fashion and Lifestyle Editor for USA TODAY Action Sports, as well as a regular contributor to Chilled Magazine, Millennium Magazine, Dolce Magazine, Bartender Magazine and various other publications. Outside of his profession in Communications, Shaun is also an international actor and model. He has performed on-screen for major TV networks and on-stage in Off-Broadway productions. Shaun has also walked in multiple runways for the esteemed New York Fashion Week, as well as various high-fashion designers. Follow Shaun Melady on Instagram at @ShaunMelady.

With a passion for travel and fitness, as well as foreign languages and cultures, Lavinia has always been an adventurer. She loves discovering new places as often as possible, whether it's luxury resorts around the world or cozy little bungalows full of charm and local flair, eating in Michelin star restaurants or sampling the local street food. You can read more about her endeavors at www.lavinialumezanu.com.

Natasha Bazika is a globetrotting, freelance journalist specializing in all things lifestyle, and calls New York her second home; her first will always be Australia. She has contributed to various publications including Malibu Times Magazine, Upscale Living Magazine, Haute Living Magazine, Millennium Magazine and many more. Natasha has a diverse portfolio including features, news, profiles and travel essays. She brings her stories further to life with her photography. When she’s not on the go, she enjoys reading a good book and editing her photos.

Pamela and Gary Baker are freelance food, wine and travel writers based in Northern California. They’ve written for regional, national and international magazines and websites including Via Magazine, Washington Tasting Room, Porthole Cruise, Northwest Travel and Life, A Luxury Travel Blog, International Living, and Australia and New Zealand Magazine. Read more of their stories at PamandGaryBaker.com.

Barbara Palumbo is an editorial writer, journalist, and podcaster who primarily covers the jewelry and watch industries. With a career spanning twenty-three years and a background in wholesale and retail sales, manufacturing, and marketing, her extensive knowledge along with her unique style of writing paved the way for her to becoming one of the industry’s most well-known voices.

Priscilla Pilon travels the world, but is an admitted Paris addict. She began her career as a food and travel writer through her own personal trips and her time spent living and working abroad. A true travel chameleon, she can find herself skiing in the French Alps one day and snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands the next.A wife and mother of two grown boys, Priscilla sees travel as art – a blank canvas where unique hotels and experiences paint priceless pictures. Her 20-year passion for Paris led to the creation of the hugely successful site, TheWeekendInParis.com. Priscilla is also the Senior Travel Editor for LuxeGetaways magazine.Born and raised on the South Shore of Boston, she now splits her time between Newport, Rhode Island and Boston’s North End. She is an avid photographer, sailor (Oyster 54), tennis player, skier, foodie and amateur sommelier.Priscilla is living the dream, one vacation at a time.

Jodie Ramackers is a budding writer and photographer following in her mother’s footsteps. She loves the open expanses of the bush and the sound of birds singing. She is a really keen birder and enjoys seeing the Big 5 and other animals. She loves to marvel in the beauty of Cape Town and Table Mountain. She gets really excited at the prospect of writing an article for Upscale Living and is glad to .