This Meet a Mom, Robin DuCharme Pastore, shares everything she’s learned about branding & communications, her dedication to volunteerism, non-profit marketing communications, working for Bloomberg and Hearst in Manhattan – and founding her PR and communications business (digital, print, broadcast, events + social media) in 2020.
Can you please tell us a bit about yourself personally?
It’s a privilege that my business supports companies, nonprofits and individuals in our community by creating communications programs to build awareness among their target audience: in Greenwich, NY, Boston or any geo-market. I’m also a dedicated volunteer, on the boards of several nonprofits, and have volunteered in our schools and community for decades! Moved to Greenwich from Manhattan decades ago, and LOVE Tod’s Point, Long Island Sound, and all things Greenwich – from Coffee for Good, to our outstanding libraries, art galleries and schools, to the awesome speakers, authors and artists who visit Greenwich and discuss their inspiration and perspective.
Where do you live in Greenwich?
Old Greenwich is sooooooooo positive and fun! LOVE Tod’s Point, LOVE sailing, LOVE being near the water and LOVE the village of O.G. I’ve been in Old Greenwich (OG) since 1981! In 2004, moved into my current home near the OG School. The vibe in OG is sunny, positive and athletic: even when it’s “season of the sticks,’ as Noah Kahan sings. Raised my 3 kids here: LOVE our community!
Please tell us your professional background and how did you come to found your own PR and Communications business?
Working for Hearst, 5 luxury titles (including Town + Country), ABC + Bloomberg didn’t feel like work to me: it was social, fun and rewarding! . I asked a colleague at Bloomberg, “What is my reputation in the industry?” My boss Dana replied: “You advocate for your clients. You go above and beyond. No one can figure out how you earned successful partnerships with (companies) no one else could.” Whoa! My success and awards in NYC inspired me to found my business in Greenwich. I love writing, reporting & broadcasting; organizing & attending gatherings and events has always been a pleasure: not work: but joyful! In 2020, an opportunity presented: to be editorial director and publisher of Old Greenwich + Riverside neighbors. It required my founding an LLC. So I did! Companies and entrepreneurs I met through referrals. Several folks became additional clients. I truly love writing about and helping with branding for businesses, nonprofits, individuals & organizations who are reliable, trustworthy, authentic and kind. It is a privilege.
You have a profound commitment to Philanthropy and nonprofit work? Tell us about some of your most meaningful work in the Greenwich community?
That’s tough: because I’ve supported our schools – public and private; I was President of Greenwich Newcomers Club for 8 years (4 as co-president with Kathy Ferraro!); I’ve volunteered for decades for the American Red Cross/Greenwich chapter – the first time a few days after 9/11/2001; it increased my compassion and empathy for neighbors: I brought my son, born in July 2001, to comfort and support people in our community; made lifelong friends in the process. My kids’ commitment to empathy and helping others is in our DNA. My great aunt Eloise Santee, Smith graduate 1898 (I graduated Smith too!) volunteered for the International Red Cross in Switzerland. I studied in Geneva. Had an internship with the U.N. Speak fluent French; wanted to be a translator; realized if you make a mistake between Kim Jong-Un & the U.S. President – the stakes are too high! I chose PR and communications in NYC instead!
Why do you personally feel volunteering is so important? How did you get involved and what advice do you have for others looking to get involved?
My parents and closest friends influenced me most and taught me that there is no “other” – when one suffers, we all do, and should step up to help; that some children and adults may be in circumstances that are unimaginable to folks who haven’t experienced them. A best friend founded Autism Speaks: in early 2005, some families believed “sweeping it (a diagnosis of autism) under the rug” – hiding it – was best. But she knew – as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said – that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only Light can do that.” The dedication of volunteers brings compassion, resources, “Light” & crucial support for people facing challenges: so they are respected and supported: not hidden. . My dad founded the 1st residential & day school for unique learners in the U.S. I volunteered and worked for his school (thelearningclinic.org). “Dr. DuCharme has “changed the lives of thousands of kids – for the better,” a teacher said last May at a gathering. Neighbors Kendra Farn introduced me to Pathways: pways.org – which provides residential homes, day programs & support in Greenwich for adults with mental health challenges. My volunteer work with Barbara’s House in Greenwich opened my eyes to how to help build skills that empower people to overcome educational, social and economic barriers; volunteering with and writing a cover feature article on Abilis opened my eyes to the great extent Abilis supports people with unique needs and disabilities.
You have also done a number of meaningful projects for the public schools in Greenwich. Tell us more.
There’s no tougher audience than 3rd graders! When I volunteered to teach 3rd graders about the U.S. Constitution in 2024, as part of a pilot program my friend Wynn McDaniel, DAR Regent, organized, I was so nervous! 3rd graders don’t sugar coat! But it was a lot of fun! After discussing the U.S. Constitution, students worked in groups to create their own 3rd Grade Constitution on poster boards! “More ice cream” and “longer recess” were popular values they chose! Their posters were up in Town Hall! Our First Selectman recognized the young students’ work. This volunteer project brought history to life! I’ve also taught art history to kindergartners in the OG School as a volunteer when my daughter was a student there. I have my powerpoint ready to go!
How do you balance work and being a Mom?
Being kind, balanced and healthy – for my kids and my clients – is paramount. My parents are & were outstanding role models; I aim to be an outstanding role model for my kids and community too: with my work ethic and values of respect, kindness and inclusion and justice. From age 6 on, I helped my mom make phone calls and canvass for political candidates whose platform was justice and equality. My dad dedicates his life to helping unique learners; he left being a professor at Brown U. to help kids through his school. Following my mom’s values, I volunteer with the League of Women Voters: dedicated to getting the vote out: as are my kids!
I volunteer for Equality Now, a global organization that helps underserved communities globally: as an example 12-14 year old girls escape their arranged marriages.
My parents also instilled respect and inclusion: my clients are to me, my business partners: and I include them in gatherings and events: like family! It is a privilege to work with them: some are award-winning doctors (Dr. Arthur Jenkins, MD); writers, builders, painters, remodelers, pediatric or adult dentists – who donate their time to helping kids with cleft palates (Children’s Dentistry, Riverside). The Flinn Gallery (my April cover feature!) on Greenwich library’s 2nd floor is celebrating 96 years – is an example of how joyful my work is to me. My kids and I would visit the Gallery after reading, or a gathering on the 3rd floor); now the Gallery has Sarah’s Corner: specially for children! Helping get the word out about the Flinn’s Sarah’s Corner, and its upcoming exhibits & history in my April magazine, & via broadcast interviews and social media is a pleasure! Plus, I have loads of energy. It doesn’t feel like work; it is joyful to me to help awesome organizations and individuals break through the noise and get the word out about what they do!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
My mom said: “Never take it personally if someone is treating you badly – that is how they treat people.” So true! Maya Angelou, a mom, said: “You forget what people do.. but you never forget how someone made you feel.” My goal is to always uplift people. That value – to uplift others – is on our fridge as a reminder! Praise. Lift Up Others. My college roommate, a mom, said: “Read Let Them, by Mel Robbins. We can’t control what people may do. Only how we respond.” In 2020, I got a tattoo: a lower case L: to remind me to Let Them Be: my kids; my friends who may be making choices I wouldn’t; Let people live their lives. Don’t stress about what you can’t control. And when your resources and energy can help others: pitch in and help. Live Like Luke at Tod’s is April 26. I will be there. (livelikeluke365.org; to honor the life of Luke Meyers of O.G.).
What do you like to do to relax/have fun for yourself and as a family?
I walk our dog, Samson (@sammythepup2022: First Bank of Greenwich’s dog in ads 🙂 as much as possible. Walk up to Tod’s; hike through Pomerance or visit museums in the Hudson Valley (LOVE Lyndhurst; read the story of Helen Gould (1868 – 1938) who lived there; LOVE sailing in Greenwich, Mystic, Watch Hill, Nantucket or Groton Long Point; traveling to California, France, Italy and to Maine – recharge my batteries. Love to stretch, do yoga and quietly practice gentle loving kindness: even during flight delays or in traffic jams! Cars may wonder about the mom humming Oooomm while stretching, or bellowing + hopping to Hozier’s You’re Too Sweet for Me, or Shaboozey’s Bar Song (Tipsy); but singing in the car or bath is one of the “vents” that works for me to de-stress! As does time with my family, friends, clients (who are friends!) and dog, and discussing books with my book club friends. Loved Real Americans, by Rachel Khong, our recent book, and Caste.
Anything else you’d like to share?
It is calming for me to write; I pour out words – articles for my magazine, poems, fiction, prepared reports for my WGCH broadcast interviews with University Professor PhDs about their book – the way some musicians play piano, guitar or sing to de-stress. Whatever works – walking, stretching, doing an online class, sprinting around Tod’s – is great. To each their own! Honored to have earned 14 CT Press Club awards in 2024, including 5 First Place National awards. I published an award-winning book under a pseudonym.
We love to support local businesses. What are your fave places when you are in Greenwich to:
Grab coffee: Coffee for Good (central Greenwich); Sweet Pea (Old Greenwich)
Workout: Equinox, or sprint around Tod’s, hike Pomerance or do push ups and dance around the living room to upbeat music for 15, 30 or 60 minutes: whatever time I have!
Go on a date night: Siren in Old Greenwich! Telly’s Tavern (Greek!) in Portchester!
Go out for a girl’s night: Townhouse (Central Greenwich); Siren in O.G.
Go out to dinner as a family: Social Club (my friend Diana of That’s What She Said sings there! Everyone dances and has a blast! Also the Water Club, Lugano’s and J House!
Get your hair done: Noel at Charme and Cheveux in O.G. is the BEST. He rocks! Olga, the owner, is like my mom and bestie all in one!
Get your nails done: at Olga’s Charme and Cheveux in O.G.!
Have fun as a family: J House, Telly’s Greek Taverna, Okemo, Montauk, Easthampton, Amagansett, Nantucket, Block Island, Tod’s, Laguna Beach, Carmel Cali – and Cristiano Park/Greenwich, watching our Lab sprint like a greyhound after big trucks – behind the safety of a fence (@sammythepup2022: he’s our 4th child!)
