Meet Impact 100 Jersey Coast Member Rose Anastasio
By Janet Mazur Cavano
Where do you live?
Manasquan
What do you do for living?
In my first career, I was an assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch. I was also an independent consultant and did design and coding work on Wall Street. Today, I don’t have a 9 to 5 job, but I do hold a certification in holistic health. I’ve coached for many years, working with individuals on how to eat well.
I’ve also battled Lyme Disease and I often get calls from people who’ve been diagnosed and don’t know what to do or how to feel better. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the disease and many doctors don’t know how to treat it. I don’t want anyone to go through what I went through, so I will help who ever I can!
You’re also involved with the Lyme disease community on a bigger level; can you tell us more about that?
I am actively involved with Global Lyme Alliance. It’s a large non-profit “dedicated to conquering Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses through research, education, awareness and patient services.”
I mostly fund-raise for them and chair a “Taste for a Cure” wine-tasting event in Monmouth County, for the last three years. I also attend seminars, meetings and sit in on research symposiums.
How did you first become involved with Impact 100 JC?
I was invited to a recruiting luncheon by a founding member, Paulette Roberts. Deirdre (Spiropoulos, president and co-founder), sat down with six of us and explained the organization. I was so inspired by the wonderful work and I knew immediately I wanted
to be a part of it and I wrote a check right there. That was three years ago.
What inspired you about the organization?
I just believed in the mission. I like the concept of women coming together and helping people in a local community. There’s nothing else out there like it!
When did it dawn on you that Impact was making a difference?
Not until I attended my first annual meeting did I realize there was so much need in our community. What an emotional and inspiring night, especially when the grant applicants were presenting their pitches!
I had no idea Impact was filling such a void!
Being able to say that I am a part of something like this, something so much bigger than myself, and that we can change the course of so many people’s lives — it’s very empowering!
What would you tell a woman who is considering joining?
If you want to be a part of something remarkable, share the experience with other like-minded women, change the lives of people in our area and have a voice in directing where the money goes — join! It’s a pretty compelling argument!
What’s the best life advice you’ve ever received?
I was recently sitting next to a doctor at a seminar and he said, “To stay healthy, you have to stay away from people who bring negativity into your life and don’t respect your friendship. It’s a pure waste of your time and energy!” I agree!
Tell us something about you that not many people know. A fun fact.
I’ve been a golfer for the last 10 years, on and off, and three years ago, I was the women’s club champion at my golf club!
What’s the most recent book you read?
“Let There be Water” by Seth M. Siegel. It’s about the creation of a water system in the desert areas of Israel and how people all take responsibility for its use. It’s an “off the beaten path” read, but it just caught my fascination!