About Lara

LaraLara J. Kisielewska founded Optimum Design & Consulting in 1992 after completing a BS in Graphic Communications Management and Technology at New York University and working toward a masters’ degree in Magazine Publication Management from NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Lara co-founded Linux Magazine in 1999 and VoIP Magazine in 2004, and her communications experience in technology spurred Lara to start a second business, Xand Marketing. Xand (www.xandmarketing.com) was launched in 2005 around a unique business model for accessing and utilizing co-op marketing funds.

Lara has been an active member of the New York Chapter of the Graphic Artists Guild since 1992. In 2000 she became President of the New York Chapter, and was re-elected to a second two-year term. Lara has held a seat on the National Board of Directors of the Guild since 1998, representing New York on a national level, and chaired the national committee of Chapter Presidents from 2000 to 2003. Lara was National Secretary and National Vice President of the Graphic Artists Guild for four years apiece, and in 2016 became National President. She was awarded New York Chapter Volunteer of the Year in 1999 and 2002, as well as National Volunteer of the Year in 2008.

Lara has also been a member of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Woman Business Owners (NAWBO-NYC) since 1992. She served on the Board of Directors as Vice Chair of Member Communications from 1996 to 1999, held the position of President-Elect and also served on the Finance and Infrastructure Committees from 2002 to 2004, and was New York City Chapter President from 2004 to 2005. Lara was elected NAWBO-NYC member of the year in 1998 and won the Spirit of NAWBO-NYC award in 2016.

Lara’s other affiliations include the Women’s Power Network, the New York City Power Group, the Professional Alliance Network Group, Power Partners, Women’s Professional Alliance, and Rainmakers. She held a seat on the advisory Board of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) from 1998 to 2003 and teaches a hands-on workshop called How to Start a Graphic Design Business for The Learning Annex, the Graphic Artists Guild, and a variety of local colleges. Lara has also spoken on the challenges of keeping a business alive in troubled times at New York University and is a frequent guest lecturer at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business.