our team
Since 2021, the three female founders of Ripple Creative PW, LLC have shared a clear vision of revitalizing and beautifying the Port Washington community through grassroots efforts, and producing cultural events that support and connect creatives, small businesses, and local nonprofits.
Amanda Khalil, Co-Founder
Amanda Khalil has been a dedicated community advocate and culture driver on Long Island for over a decade. After a career in private banking and management consulting, Amanda left the corporate world to focus on her family. Soon after, she launched Port Washington Mama, a website and social media account highlighting insider tips, local events, and more that’s become a trusted resource for thousands of followers. She also founded the Momtrepreneur Fair, a first-of-its-kind event to promote mom-owned businesses.
A creative, out-of-the-box thinker with a deep affinity for connecting people and resources, Amanda has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local nonprofits with a focus on families, small businesses, and women. She has served as an advisor and partner to local officials and been recognized for her community leadership and service by the Town of North Hempstead, the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, and the Parent Resource Center.
Currently, Amanda serves on the board of the Growing Love Community Garden of Manorhaven, on the Advisory Board for The Ed Foundation, as a Port Soccer parent manager, and as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. A graduate of Loyola University, she lives in Port Washington with her husband and two daughters.
Erika Stehl, Co-Founder
Erika Stehl is well known within the Port Washington community for making things grow. Not only has she raised five children (and two golden retrievers!) in town, she is also the founder of the Growing Love Community Garden of Manorhaven.
Her interest in gardening started while her children were in grammar school, when she received an Organic Gardening degree through Cornell Cooperative Extension and assisted with the gardens at St Peter's School.
After a stint volunteering at Island Harvest, Erika became interested in food insecurity issues on Long Island. The 46-bed Community Garden in the Manorhaven Preserver opened in 2018 for its inaugural planting year and has since added a Memorial Garden, a Vertical Garden that is harvested for food pantry donations, and a Children’s Garden. The garden has proven to be fertile ground for connecting with like-minded businesses, nonprofits, and individuals interested in making a positive difference in their shared community – including the future founders of Ripple Creative.
Erika received her BA in Urban Studies from Queens College and a graduate degree in Social Work (CSW) from Adelphi University; her previous career was in various medical fields including psychotherapy and discharge planning.
Stephanie Alongi, Co-Founder
Stephanie moved to Port Washington in 2010 and has become more involved in the community each year. She loves the outdoors and all that Port Washington has to offer: walks, sunsets, parks, kayaking, and an engaged community. (While her outdoor interests are varied, you can find Stephanie at the dog park with her dog, Delilah, at least once a day!)
Stephanie runs her own dental consulting firm, SMA Dental Billing, with clients all over Long Island and Manhattan and employs locals in need of flexible schedules. As a “momtrepreneur,” she participated in Amanda’s Momtrepreneur Fair in 2013 long before they reunited at Ripple Creative.
Stephanie became involved with Ripple Creative as an extension of her work at the Growing Love Community Garden, where she serves as Treasurer of the Board, plans events and manages the social media account. Ripple Creative is a large part of Stephanie's life and she is grateful for the enriching friendships and experiences that have come as a result.
Stephanie received her BA in History from Adelphi University. She resides in Port Washington with her son, James and dog, Delilah.