Pirate’s Eye Podcast

Seton Hall Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Seton Hall boasts more than 100,000 living alumni. In this podcast, we chat with some of those proud Pirates about their latest accomplishments and career paths. We have our Pirate’s Eye on what great alumni minds can do.

  1. FEB 13

    Pirate's Eye on Luciana (Contuzzi) Gencarelli '14 - Episode 42

    On this episode of the Pirate’s Eye Podcast, we sit down with Luciana Gencarelli (Contuzzi), founder of zest in Fairfield, NJ. A Seton Hall alumna with a degree in Finance and Information Technology Management (’14), Luciana shares how her Italian roots, entrepreneurial drive, and belief in the holistic power of food led her to build a thriving health-focused food business. What began as ideas in a notebook on a flight home from Italy evolved into an online business, countless hours in commercial kitchens and street fairs, and ultimately the opening of zest’s first storefront in Fairfield in 2017. Joined full-time by her husband TJ in 2018, zest has grown into a welcoming, family-like space rooted in energy, wellness, and community. Tune in to hear Luciana’s journey from corporate career paths to entrepreneurship, the lessons learned along the way, and how food can be a powerful tool for connection and health. Learn more at www.zesteats.com. Pirate’s Eye is hosted by alumna volunteer Viannca Vélez ’10.  www.vianncavelez.com  Linkedin.com/in/vianncav Instagram: @vianncavelez

    36 min

  2. 12/19/2025

    Pirate's Eye on Carina Castagna '21, '22 M.P.A - Episode 41

    On this episode of the Pirate’s Eye Podcast, we speak with Carina ’21, M.P.A. ’22, a first-generation Seton Hall graduate who transformed personal loss into a powerful legacy. After losing her father in 2021, she founded Pesto Joe, a pesto brand built from his cherished recipes and developed through the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s summer accelerator. Today, Pesto Joe partners with local retailers, farmers markets, and Seton Hall Athletics.

    35 min

  3. 09/05/2025

    Pirate's Eye on Viviana E. Zambrano '03 - Episode 40

    In this episode of The Pirates Eye Podcast, host Viannca Vélez ’10 chats with Viviana Zambrano ’, a two-time Seton Hall grad and Director in the Office for Student Retention & Educational Innovation. Viviana shares her journey through EOF and Upward Bound, her passion for mentoring first-generation students, and her commitment to expanding college access.

    42 min

  4. 08/14/2025

    Pirates Eye on Marcellis A. Counts '19 - Ep.39

    Host Viannca Velez talks with Newark entrepreneur and urban farmer Marcellis Alexander Counts '19 about beekeeping roots at Seton Hall, blending creativity with purpose, and driving change in his community.

    32 min

  5. 05/02/2025

    Pirate’s Eye on Linda Schaeffer ’73 - Ep.38

    In this episode of Seton Hall's Pirate Eye Podcast, we’re joined by Linda Schaeffer ’73, the first woman in Seton Hall’s accounting program, who broke barriers in forensic accounting and now mentors the next generation of business leaders and financial professionals.

    34 min

  6. 03/25/2025

    Pirate’s Eye on Dr. Naima Ricks '13 - Ep.37

    In this episode of Seton Hall's Pirate Eye Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Naima Ricks, Seton Hall’s 2024 Many Are One Alumni Impact Honoree and Executive Director of After-School All-Stars New Jersey. Dr. Ricks made history in 2013 as the youngest elected official in her hometown of Roselle, NJ, serving as Vice President of the Board of Education. She shares her inspiring journey through academia, her passion for learning, and her dedication to community impact.

    26 min

  7. 12/03/2024

    Pirate’s Eye on Dr. Enmanuel Mercedes ’02 / M.A. ’05 / Ph.D. ’13 - Episode #36

    Dr. Enmanuel Mercedes- is a Latino-American psychologist, professional speaker, and founder of Your Wellness Space™, a mental health service company with the mission to cultivate a life of hope, healing, and harmony. In addition, Dr. Mercedes serves as a consultant to organizations seeking to play an active role in meeting the mental health needs of its members. Dr. Mercedes leadership positions include being the current President of the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey, a board member of the non-profit organization Boys to Leaders and a board member of the ECHA Scholarship Foundation. Dr. Mercedes was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He lives with his wife and three sons in West Caldwell, NJ. Dr. Mercedes is the first of his family to attend college in the U.S. and is a proud alumnus of Seton Hall University, where he obtained a BA in Psychology, MA in Psychological studies, and Ph.D. in Counseling. mercedesphd.com | yourwellness.space IG- @mercedesphd | LinkedIn- www.linkedin.com/in/enmanuelmercedes

    49 min

  8. 10/04/2024

    Pirate's Eye on Brother Greg '85 - Ep.35

    In this episode of Pirate's Eye, we sit down with Brother Gregory Cellini, a Franciscan Brother from Brooklyn whose mission is to embody the Gospel and inspire others to live boldly in God’s Love.    As the Director of the Office of Mission, Ministry, and Interfaith Dialogue at St. Francis College, Brother Greg is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and purpose in the workplace through his weekly radio show, Thank God For Monday. With a 29-year career in the pharmaceutical industry before joining the Franciscan Order, he brings a unique perspective to the intersection of faith and professional life.

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Seton Hall boasts more than 100,000 living alumni. In this podcast, we chat with some of those proud Pirates about their latest accomplishments and career paths. We have our Pirate’s Eye on what great alumni minds can do.

Information

  • Creator
    Seton Hall Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Pirate’s Eye Podcast