The Untold Story of... Bella Zaccardi

1. I grew up in Greenwood Lake, NY, and our house was right on the lake! I think I took it for granted when I was little, and now I love any chance I have to visit my parents and spend some time on the water.
2. I've had the opportunity to experience 21 National Parks and counting! My parents were incredibly brave to bring my two sisters and me on two cross-country camping trips growing up. And when I say "camping," I mean a minivan packed to the brim-five bikes on the back and two tents that were set up and broken down every few days. We survived the chaos almost entirely unscathed, with the exception of one hospital visit for me: I was running around the back of the car, got a little too excited, and knocked my head straight into the bike rack.
3. I attended Quinnipiac University, where I completed a 3+1 dual degree program in Marketing and an MBA. While the program was fast-paced, I made sure to get involved on campus, which is where I truly discovered my passion for events and programming. Working as a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Campus Life became my 'aha moment '; I realized I didn't have to pursue a traditional corporate path. Instead, I found a career in higher education that truly fills my bucket and makes me excited to show up to work each day and serve our students.
4. Concert days are simultaneously my favorite and least favorite days of the year. I've probably worked over 10 shows now, and they all have varied in level of chaos. I've been able to see and work with Tiesto, Khalid, Zara Larsson, AJR, and the Plain White Tees. One artist's agent (I'll spare them and omit the name) arrived just hours before the show with a brand-new Rider (the list of specific requirements an artist needs to perform). You can imagine the scene: me in the passenger seat of a friend's car, flying down the highway, frantically sorting through Starbursts to ensure the bowl in the green room was filled with ONLY the red ones.
5. My pup is my pride and joy. I adopted Bailey on Halloween of 2020 at 6 months old from a rescue in Tennessee, and he's been my best friend ever since. He's got the heart of a golden retriever and the brain of a border collie, so he keeps me quite busy on walks, hikes, or even paddleboarding! I got to raise him on a college campus in Massachusetts for a few years, and he became my student's mascot and favorite event attendee. He's my soul dog, so his ears were actually my first tattoo.
6. I grew up obsessed with Broadway soundtracks, though it wasn't until later in life that I finally saw a live show. Now I've been to multiple shows in NYC, and my best friend Sarah and I are season subscribers at Proctors. I think I'm up to 16 shows!
7. I'm a Swiftie at heart. I've adored Taylor Swift's music since middle school and have seen her Red, 1989, and Reputation tours. I almost missed the Eras Tour, but my friend somehow won tickets on the radio! It was the best show I've ever been to and probably will ever go to.
8. My hidden talent is building IKEA furniture. My dad didn't have any sons, so I was happy to fill the role and be his second set of hands growing up. It's made me extremely handy and probably overconfident in thinking I can handle every home improvement project.
9. If we're going anywhere, you'll likely hear me asking my partner, Will, "Can we stop for a little coffee?" I will forever be on the hunt for the world's best seasonally flavored iced latte. I have to give a shoutout to a new favorite, Old Man Joe's in Westerly, RI. And a local shoutout: Stack's Espresso Bar for their fall "Sapsucker" Latte. In the fall, I am also a sucker for anything pumpkin.
10. I'm a big fan of an "adventure." I love the big milestones, studying abroad in Ireland or experiencing my first cruise around the Mediterranean this summer. But I'm just as happy with a Saturday morning trip to the Troy Farmers Market, hunting for hidden treasures on a curb or at an estate sale, or just heading out for soft-serve ice cream; I love finding the joy in those small, unexpected excursions too.

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