Darlene Rose

Darlene is a Long Island native whose life-long love of documentary, foreign and independent films was inspired by her father, a devoted fan of post-war Italian cinema. She attended Fashion Institute of Technology and Empire State College in New York City. Darlene enjoyed a 35-year career as a design professional in both the apparel and home furnishing industries. Eighteen of those years were spent working with her husband Jeffrey, president and co-owner of Robert Abbey, Inc., a lighting and home accessories manufacturer after the company relocated to North Carolina. Together they transformed the business to a globally recognized brand and fashion leader with their shared passion for design. Nine months after Jeffrey's death from ALS in March 2010, Darlene left her Senior VP of Design position, returning to NY and home in East Hampton where she currently resides.

Darlene's experience as a caregiver for a loved one with ALS left an indelible imprint that forever altered her worldview; the entrepreneurial ambition that once fueled her passion to create had vanished. She put her life experience and skills to good use through volunteering for LVIS of East Hampton, Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons and Slow Food East End. Darlene currently serves on the board of Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS), a Falmouth, MA. based non-profit that provides support and services for those living with ALS. Shortly after joining CCALS's board in 2013, she met the artist Jon Imber who had been diagnosed with ALS the year prior and was determined to continue painting despite its debilitating progression. After learning a documentary about Jon was in the final editing stages, Darlene suggested the film should be submitted to the Hamptons Doc Festival, which she recently attended for the first time. The film premiered at the 2014 Festival and won The Audience Award.