Mitchell Siegel

Founder

A native New Yorker with a global perspective, Mitchell Siegel, founder and owner of Cocoon Gallery, brings a distinctive point of view to the world of functional art. His early career in the textile industry took him throughout Southeast Asia, Brazil, and the Philippines, where he encountered a deep-rooted tradition of repurposing natural materials into everyday objects. What began as observation became inspiration—an idea to elevate nature’s raw forms into refined, enduring works for the home.

Siegel founded Cocoon Gallery with that vision in mind, establishing the first location in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1998. Today, with a presence also in Naples and Palm Beach, Cocoon reflects his belief that nature itself is the artist, and that design should honor rather than impose upon it.

Working closely with licensed local experts in remote regions, Siegel sources trees that have been naturally uprooted or responsibly removed. Each piece is selected for its inherent character: the irregularities, twists, and imperfections that give it presence. In Cocoon’s Naples workshop, these raw forms undergo a meticulous, multi-step process, from custom kiln drying to shaping, finishing, and preservation, transforming them into functional works of art designed to last for generations.

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 Managing Director

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.

Missy Stubbs

Palm Beach Gallery Managing Director

Missy Stubbs brings a wealth of experience in exceptional customer relations to Cocoon Gallery, honed from her career in the mortgage sector of the financial industry. Her client-focused skills are complemented by her deep appreciation for Cocoon’s art. Missy’s introduction to Cocoon began with the opening of the Palm Beach gallery, where her brother Russell serves as manager. “I was captivated by the stunning pieces and immediately recognized the passion behind their creation,” she remarks. She joined the Cocoon team shortly after the Palm Beach launch. Her immersion into Cocoon’s distinctive aesthetic has been enlightening, leading her to appreciate that “Cocoon stands apart from the mainstream.” As an enthusiast of home design and fashion, Missy is well-versed in the provenance of exquisite items.

Diana Cannon

Greenwich Gallery Managing Director

Diana Cannon has enjoyed a career as a designer and stylist in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, the Hamptons, and New York City. She brings deep roots to Cocoon Gallery in Greenwich. She was a frequent customer of Cocoon’s Greenwich gallery during 2015-2020, often bringing her designer, architect and developer clients to the store to source Cocoon’s unique pieces. By joining the Cocoon team for its 2025 return to Greenwich, she introduces its new collections of museum-quality furnishings and décor to locals and visitors in the region. She says she is “mesmerized by the beauty of Cocoon’s products” and notes that they have evolved over the years under Mitchell Siegel’s visionary leadership. “Each statement piece is more intriguing than the next,” she says. “Everything is one of a kind and created with the craftsmanship and technique that ensures a lifetime of enjoyment.” As the manager of Cocoon Gallery in Greenwich, Diana’s expertise and finely-honed talent as a designer and stylist support collectors who appreciate incomparable quality for their residential and commercial environments.

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."