Remembering Carissa Decelles

‍ ‍ Carissa Kelsey Decelles - March 19, 1991 - Dec 18, 2025

Writing a piece like this has never been easy. Then again, Carissa has never been one to back down from a challenge. So, it’s with her indelible spirit in our hearts that we reflect on the sudden passing of our president, creative community leader and friend, Carissa Decelles.

As a talented creative and tenacious disabilities advocate, Carissa’s impact on the lives of people who knew her and on the broader Connecticut creative community has been profound. She’s stood before potential employers, before clients, and even the state legislature to fight for her ideas and ideals. And while you can see her work across the region, her passion for the creative industry—especially supporting and celebrating the members of our little community—was a rare gift taken from all of us too soon.

As our president, Carissa brought an infectious enthusiasm for what is possible, and as our friend, she offered compassion and advice. She was instrumental in how we navigated out of 2020 and helped redefine our mission, vision, and values. We are so proud of her accomplishments and honored to have had her as the leader of our team. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and all those that loved her; we will miss her dearly.