Get to know Taryn
Taryn Lagonigro was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from Marist College with a BA in Communications. After building a career in corporate communications and technology, she shifted her focus toward work rooted in community, storytelling, and wellbeing.
In 2016, Taryn transformed her love of yoga into a mission-driven venture by co-founding Iris Yoga, an inclusive studio offering in-person and online classes along with facilitator education. She holds multiple certifications, including yoga, meditation, prenatal yoga, and yoga for mental health.
Taryn is a mom to four daughters, including her youngest, Rhea, who was born with Down syndrome in 2020. Rhea’s diagnosis sparked Taryn’s passion for advocacy, leading her to partner with disability organizations and create platforms that highlight caregiving experiences and diverse family stories.
She is the co-founder of Extra Lucky Moms and the founder of Four Clovers Publishing, where she writes, publishes, and uplifts inclusive books for children and families. Taryn is the author of several titles, including Ups, Downs & Silver Linings and Strong, Beautiful, Brave & Smart as well as contributor for Dear Mama: Stories of an Extra Lucky Life and The Adaptive Toolkit for Potty Training Children With Disabilities.
Her work has been featured in national media, on podcasts, and at community events celebrating wellness, motherhood, and disability inclusion. Taryn, her husband Raffaele, and their girls live in Northern New Jersey, where they love staying active, getting outside, and embracing the joyful chaos of family life. She continues to blend advocacy, storytelling, and community support through Extra Lucky Moms and Four Clovers Publishing.
Read more from Taryn HERE!
Get to know Jess
Jess was born in Sweden but raised in North Carolina. She started singing at the age of 5 years old and pursued a career in music, modeling and performance. She received her BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University and after graduation moved to NYC to continue her career. She had some great successes which included national commercials, a beauty campaign printed in Vogue Magazine, a recording contract and even working with Timbaland and Snoop Dog. She decided to switch gears in her career and pivoted to the other side of the modeling industry, fashion! Jess worked as a lead stylist for a style-subscription company, moved into marketing for an international branding agency and most recently works for an agency that provides 1:1 care of adults with disabilities as their brand Communications Manager. In 2020 she gave birth to Adeline, who at birth was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. What started as a traumatic and scary diagnosis has propelled her into a life of advocacy and passion for her daughter and the Down Syndrome Community. She currently resides in Millburn, NJ with her 8 year old daughter Charlee, and 5 year old Extra Lucky Addie. She hopes to inspire others facing a Down Syndrome diagnosis to not fear the future but to embrace a new beautiful perspective.
@jessquarello on instagram
@extraluckyjess on tik tok (162.5K followers!)
Read more from Jess HERE!