Ariona Beninato is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Collective Management, formerly known as Collective Casting, a New York–based hybrid model management and casting agency recognized for redefining representation within fashion, beauty, and commercial media. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Ariona began her professional modeling career as a teenager, later studying Fashion Marketing at Parsons School of Design after completing coursework at Kent State University’s Fashion Program.

As a full-time model, she worked with global brands including L’Oréal, Nike, and ULTA Beauty, experiences that revealed both the possibilities, and the systemic inequities, within the industry. Motivated by the persistent lack of diversity across major agencies, Ariona founded Collective Casting in 2017 from her apartment in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, starting with a small roster of Black models from her hometown in Cleveland.

What began as a grassroots initiative has since expanded into a respected agency and casting powerhouse, partnering with leading beauty, fashion, and lifestyle brands while advocating for equitable opportunities and authentic representation. Under her leadership, Collective Management has become known for its strategic talent development, culturally aware storytelling, and industry-shifting emphasis on inclusive beauty.

Beyond her work as an executive and creative strategist, Ariona is a multidisciplinary artist. When she’s not building companies, she can be found painting, exploring Prospect Park, or spending time with loved ones.