The Team

Mitchell Siegel

Founder

Mitchell Siegel established Cocoon Gallery more than 20 years ago in Greenwich, Conn., and is the creative brain behind the Cocoon brand. He moved the Greenwich showroom to Naples, Fla., in 2020, followed by the move of the Greenwich woodshop to Naples in 2022, a move that is poised to allow Cocoon to expand elsewhere in Florida and beyond.

Mitchell travels the world, primarily to remote mountain villages in Southeast Asia, to source the raw materials that undergo a metamorphosis in the Cocoon woodshop. His passion for sustainability and local cultures, and deep experience with Southeast Asian exporters, led to his securing a coveted license to export exotic wood from the region.

  • He emphasizes that no live trees are harvested for Cocoon. “We may discover petrified, dead wood that has fantastic, interesting characteristics for tables or sculptures.” He explains, “Our product is 100% sustainable. We work with the most knowledgeable locals and exporters who must plant a tree for each one we remove.”

    He is hands-on in all aspects of Cocoon Gallery, from the Naples showroom to the nearby woodshop where artisans craft live edge tables, towering root sculptures, live edge mirrors, and wall art, as well as mineral-based decor (geodes, agate, jasper), mirrors, onyx, and more -- all one-of-a-kind. He especially enjoys working closely with clients to ensure that Cocoon meets, and exceeds, their desire for a unique work of functional, legacy art that is valued by generations.

    Mitchell’s experience includes decades in the textile business based in New York, a career that included extended buying trips to Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and Brazil. During his travels, he noticed the wealth of treasures of the natural world. As a result, the idea for Cocoon was born. He explains, "We use what nature gives and make a functional piece of art that can go into people's homes. It may be exotic wood, a palm leaf, a coconut. We are enhancing what nature gives."

 

Mandy Wengen

Creative Director

Mandy Wengen has been working side by side with Mitchell Siegel since Cocoon’s founding and wears many hats within the business. She directs all merchandising for the showroom and assists in curating its stunning display of natural art. In addition to creating the showroom’s displays and working one-on-one with clients, she offers her interior design expertise to help clients design their own habitats. She regularly visits the homes of clients and hand selects pieces for their environments, even offering counsel on how best to showcase a Cocoon work of art as part of private art collections. Mandy works closely with Mitchell Siegel to design custom furniture pieces for clients that result in creative, innovative, unique decor.

 

Laura Gillis

Director of Operations

Laura Gillis joined the Cocoon Gallery team upon its move from Connecticut to Florida and was instrumental in opening the Naples showroom. However, her knowledge and understanding of the Cocoon aesthetic preceded the move. Previously, she was general manager of The J House hotel in Greenwich, a modern, art-forward boutique hotel, where she developed an admiration of Cocoon’s “functional art” pieces in the lobby. Curious about the creator of the pieces, she soon became acquainted with Mitchell, the Cocoon team and Greenwich showroom. The team returned admiration to Laura for her ingrained sense of hospitality, the result of a 30-year hospitality career, and her ability to manage multiple tasks within an organization. When Cocoon readied for the move to Naples, they lured Laura to helm operations and help with the move, recognizing that her warm, friendly and professional service style complements the Cocoon service ethic. Laura is now “cocooned” in Naples, a beautiful environment with the quality of life she grew to appreciate in her native California, and former hometowns of New York City and Greenwich.

 

Ivett Slade

Naples Gallery Manager

Cocoon Gallery customers are greeted by the friendly and accommodating Yvett Slade upon their visits to Cocoon’s showroom. She joined the team as showroom manager upon its 2020 opening in Naples following more than 15 years as a dedicated retail manager well-versed in sales, customer service and high-end merchandising. Her extensive experience at Naples boutiques includes management of the Little Luxe boutique, the Escales boutique, and the Chanel boutique at Saks 5th Avenue, both located in Waterside Shops. At Chanel, she was honored as employee of the month for her strong relationships with clientele, a quality she is known for at Cocoon Gallery. In a fortunate turn of events, she managed the children’s clothing store that formerly occupied Cocoon’s showroom and was highly recommended by the store’s ownership. Ivett brings to Cocoon a passion for art, interior design and fashion. Her experience in the luxury space enables her to work with customers on their selections and installations at homes and businesses. Ivett is a native of Hungary, where she worked as a lawyer and police training, further enhancing the leadership skills and strategic thinking so essential to the Cocoon Gallery team.

 

Russell Barnhart

Palm Beach Gallery Manager

Our newest gallery in Palm Beach is now open where you will find the newest member of our team. Russell Barnhart joined Cocoon Gallery in 2023 and played an integral role in opening the Palm Beach showroom. He brings with him 20 years of design and management experience with luxury brands such as Ralph Lauren - Beverly Hills, Bloomingdales - Los Angeles and Neiman Marcus - Boca Raton. Russell also brings with him extensive knowledge of minerals and exotic gemstones having produced travel and geology programs for DirectTV and the Discovery Channel. He uses his passion for exotic, exclusive and luxurious materials to assist our production team in creating truly remarkable pieces for Cocoon. Russell will be happy to help you commission a custom piece from us, designed especially for you. 

 

BETH PREDDY

Director of Marketing | beth@preddypr.com

Beth Preddy’s entrepreneurial energy is a key resource for Cocoon Gallery’s marketing strategies. As director of marketing for Cocoon and one of South Florida’s key influencers, Beth is considered a creative, connected and trusted resource by media and businesses. Her dynamic range of expertise spans ad campaigns, promotions, events, community relations, website development, and publicity, earning her Florida Weekly's nod as a "Neapolitan marketing expert."  

She was lured to Naples in 1993 with a position as director of public relations for The Ritz-Carlton. Following her HSMAI award-winning tenure there, she opened Preddy PR in 1997, initially honing her focus on local attractions and hospitality. Among the first tapping her talent: Visit Naples and the Tourism Alliance of Collier County, where she directed Naples’ national and international campaigns prior to the establishment of the County's official Convention and Visitors Bureau. Other lifestyle businesses in the region quickly noticed the press attention her clients received. She expanded her roster to include not-for-profits, the arts and attractions.

Beth joined the Cocoon Gallery team in January 2022 and has put her stamp on the company with a new, robust marketing program. Her accomplishments include publicity and promotions that ensure that the Cocoon Gallery brand is firmly rooted in luxury markets nationwide.

Beth is a native of Miami, Fla., and also considers New York City a hometown. She resides in Naples with her family.