A Rainy-Day Tale of Street Art + Professional + Cultural Connection
(A Story by Ms. Angel Stewart, B.A.; Managing Partner for ISG-Americas® in New York).
In early July 2025, just two months into my journey at ISG, I received a message from Martina Pretzel — a Managing Partner at ISG Austria with 22 years of experience and charm to match. She was heading to New York City and wanted to meet. Naturally, I said yes — how often do you get to mix business with a dash of international flair? And, she would be — and I think still is — the first ISG professional that I have met in person!
On Thursday, July 10, I met Martina in Midtown for a visit to the Austrian Cultural Forum — a sleek, modern architectural gem nestled among NYC’s skyscrapers. The space was beautiful, and we spent most of our time in the library, which was not only stunning but also a quiet oasis in the city. Martina, ever the cultural ambassador, gave it her stamp of approval — highly recommended if you ever need a cool, calm place to hang out or soak up Austrian history (without jet lag).
Afterward, we grabbed an early dinner and swapped stories about our families, life, and ISG adventures. I got a great crash course on how things work in Austria — spoiler: it sounds just as organized as you’d imagine.
But the fun didn’t stop there!
A few days later, Martina and her husband Otto met me in Harlem — my home neighborhood since 2021. While I’m not a Harlem native, I’ve loved calling it home since relocating from Jersey City (after losing my WTC-view apartment post-9/11). We strolled along the iconic 125th Street, also known as Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, soaking up the energy, music, and deep cultural roots of the area.
I pointed out some local sights, including a vibrant mural dedicated to women’s health — where, fun fact, my name is listed as one of the contributors! (Full disclosure: I didn’t touch a paintbrush — but I did help get political support to commission it and secure the wall. Every mural needs a behind-the-scenes champion, right?)
We ended the day with some appetizers at a cozy local spot — but just as we were getting ready to leave, NYC’s late-summer skies decided to put on a show. Cue thunder, lightning, and a dramatic downpour. I was only a few blocks from home, but my Austrian friends had a longer journey back to their downtown hotel. So, in classic New Yorker fashion, we shared an Uber — and I handed off my umbrella like a parting gift in a spy movie. (Martina, I hope it made it back to Austria!)
Rain or shine, it was a wonderful connection — part professional exchange, part cultural deep dive, and part new friendship.
Proof that when two worlds meet — even in a thunderstorm — amazing things can happen.
Contact:
Angel Stewart, B.A.
Managing Partner ISG-Americas®
Office Location: New York
Executive Search
+1 212 662 1309
angel.stewart@isg.com
—————————————————————————————————————
This is a publication of ISG-Americas®. All rights reserved.
Mail: americas@isg.com
Phone: +1 347 501 6813