2019 SPEAKERS
Chip Paillex
Mr. Paillex is the President and Founder of America’s Grow-a-Row, a garden project he created in 2002 and formally converted into a farming non-profit in 2008. His responsibilities include: strategic development, organizational planning, operations, distribution logistics, volume and spend management, public relations, benefactor relationship building, volunteer recruitment, and fundraising. Mr. Paillex has received considerable recognition for his work, including the 2010 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Grand Prize Award, the 2011 Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Local Hero Award, and the 2012 Edible Jersey Non-Profit Local Hero Award. In 2010 Mr. Paillex was recognized as a New Jersey Hero at the Inaugural Swearing in Ceremony for Governor Christie and in 2011 was appointed by Governor Christie to the New Jersey Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee. In 2014, he was nationally recognized with both the CNN Hero and the Ford Motor Company Go Further Everyday Hero awards. In 2015, Chip was invited to be a TEDx Morristown Presenter and in 2016 he was a Farm Credit Fresh Perspectives honoree.
Prior to entering the non-profit arena, Mr. Paillex spent 17 years in Sales, Trade Marketing and Customer Development for the North American Unilever Foods Corporation. Mr. Paillex was presented with several top sales awards recognizing his ability to motivate and manage his sales teams.
Mr. Paillex earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Kutztown University and studied abroad at Buckinghamshire College in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Paillex is the President and Founder of America’s Grow-a-Row, a garden project he created in 2002 and formally converted into a farming non-profit in 2008. His responsibilities include: strategic development, organizational planning, operations, distribution logistics, volume and spend management, public relations, benefactor relationship building, volunteer recruitment, and fundraising. Mr. Paillex has received considerable recognition for his work, including the 2010 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Grand Prize Award, the 2011 Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Local Hero Award, and the 2012 Edible Jersey Non-Profit Local Hero Award. In 2010 Mr. Paillex was recognized as a New Jersey Hero at the Inaugural Swearing in Ceremony for Governor Christie and in 2011 was appointed by Governor Christie to the New Jersey Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee. In 2014, he was nationally recognized with both the CNN Hero and the Ford Motor Company Go Further Everyday Hero awards. In 2015, Chip was invited to be a TEDx Morristown Presenter and in 2016 he was a Farm Credit Fresh Perspectives honoree.
Prior to entering the non-profit arena, Mr. Paillex spent 17 years in Sales, Trade Marketing and Customer Development for the North American Unilever Foods Corporation. Mr. Paillex was presented with several top sales awards recognizing his ability to motivate and manage his sales teams.
Mr. Paillex earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Kutztown University and studied abroad at Buckinghamshire College in the United Kingdom.
Vicki Floyd Clark
Vicki Floyd Clark has devoted the past 30 years of her life to building capacity in organizations and inspiring community and business leaders. A noted speaker, facilitator, consultant and trainer, she has extensive experience in the nonprofit, government and private sectors. Her work includes numerous specialty areas; board development, inclusion and diversity, leadership development, strategic planning, project planning, membership engagement, volunteer resource development, and effective communication.
Each year she speaks to thousands of community and business leaders and has made presentations in 49 of the 50 United States. Her international experience includes engagements in England, Russia, Canada and Venezuela.
She works with a variety of companies and organizations including Dun & Bradstreet, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, National Association of Women Business Owners, Centers for Disease Control, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Servant Leadership Institute, Pilot International, Planned Parenthood, American Bar Association, National Center for Family Literacy, Delta Leadership Institute, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Indiana Community Action Agencies, HIPPY-Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, United Way and the Association of Junior Leagues International.
Clark was trained by Dr. Peter F. Drucker and Frances Hesselbein and was a member of Dr. Drucker’s training and consultation team. She is a Senior Governance Consultant for BoardSource. For 12 years she was a Vice President at the Points of Light Foundation, Washington, DC. She has been a guest lecturer at Auburn University, University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texarkana College, University of South Carolina, University of Houston, Texas A & M and the Memphis Theological Seminary.
Clark serves proudly as a member of the boards of the National Diaper Bank Network and the Youth Volunteer Corps. She attended the University of Missouri and lives in Memphis, TN.
Vicki Floyd Clark has devoted the past 30 years of her life to building capacity in organizations and inspiring community and business leaders. A noted speaker, facilitator, consultant and trainer, she has extensive experience in the nonprofit, government and private sectors. Her work includes numerous specialty areas; board development, inclusion and diversity, leadership development, strategic planning, project planning, membership engagement, volunteer resource development, and effective communication.
Each year she speaks to thousands of community and business leaders and has made presentations in 49 of the 50 United States. Her international experience includes engagements in England, Russia, Canada and Venezuela.
She works with a variety of companies and organizations including Dun & Bradstreet, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, National Association of Women Business Owners, Centers for Disease Control, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Servant Leadership Institute, Pilot International, Planned Parenthood, American Bar Association, National Center for Family Literacy, Delta Leadership Institute, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Indiana Community Action Agencies, HIPPY-Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, United Way and the Association of Junior Leagues International.
Clark was trained by Dr. Peter F. Drucker and Frances Hesselbein and was a member of Dr. Drucker’s training and consultation team. She is a Senior Governance Consultant for BoardSource. For 12 years she was a Vice President at the Points of Light Foundation, Washington, DC. She has been a guest lecturer at Auburn University, University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texarkana College, University of South Carolina, University of Houston, Texas A & M and the Memphis Theological Seminary.
Clark serves proudly as a member of the boards of the National Diaper Bank Network and the Youth Volunteer Corps. She attended the University of Missouri and lives in Memphis, TN.
Kristen Crouchelli
Kristen E. Crouchelli, a Senior Audit Manager in the SobelCo Nonprofit & Social Services Practice, having earned additional credentials as a Public School Accountant, brings a depth of experience in the nonprofit community to complement her role on this specialized niche team. Since she began her career in 2006, Kristen has had a passion for working with nonprofit organizations. She began by serving in a regional CPA firm’s nonprofit group and then transitioned to a role as Controller for a large, multi-program social services agency in the state where she was managed the daily accounting functions, budgets and annual audit of the financial statements as well as the employee benefit plan audit.
With dual perspectives gained from having had significant responsibilities as a CPA serving
nonprofit clients as well as from assuming the prestigious position as Controller working from within a nonprofit, Kristen has been able to apply her insights and real-world experiences, adding significant value to our team and our clients. Her current engagements primarily involve working with small clients, charter schools, schools for the disabled, and large organizations that are subject to Uniform Grant Guidance audits. Kristen’s commitment to the firm’s culture goes beyond her external client-centric philosophy to also include her internal focus on being an effective mentor and role model for her colleagues. She specifically enjoys having the opportunity to assist in strengthening the nonprofit practice by taking charge of the team’s in-house technical training program.
Kristen E. Crouchelli, a Senior Audit Manager in the SobelCo Nonprofit & Social Services Practice, having earned additional credentials as a Public School Accountant, brings a depth of experience in the nonprofit community to complement her role on this specialized niche team. Since she began her career in 2006, Kristen has had a passion for working with nonprofit organizations. She began by serving in a regional CPA firm’s nonprofit group and then transitioned to a role as Controller for a large, multi-program social services agency in the state where she was managed the daily accounting functions, budgets and annual audit of the financial statements as well as the employee benefit plan audit.
With dual perspectives gained from having had significant responsibilities as a CPA serving
nonprofit clients as well as from assuming the prestigious position as Controller working from within a nonprofit, Kristen has been able to apply her insights and real-world experiences, adding significant value to our team and our clients. Her current engagements primarily involve working with small clients, charter schools, schools for the disabled, and large organizations that are subject to Uniform Grant Guidance audits. Kristen’s commitment to the firm’s culture goes beyond her external client-centric philosophy to also include her internal focus on being an effective mentor and role model for her colleagues. She specifically enjoys having the opportunity to assist in strengthening the nonprofit practice by taking charge of the team’s in-house technical training program.
Anne Dalton
Anne Dalton joined AJLI in 1983 and has been involved in consultative services, training and senior management ever since. As AJLI’s Chief League Operations Officer, she manages the association-wide Strategic Transformation Rollout efforts, provides strategic consulting and training in governance and community impact, oversees consultative services and the affiliation process and is a member of the senior leadership team. Previously, she was Girls Club of New York’s Executive Director, Henry Street Settlement’s Director of Youth Employment Services and Senior Planner with the Vera Institute of Justice. Anne holds a BA in English from Cornell University, an MSW from Hunter College and is a graduate of the Carver Policy Governance Academy and the Institute for Civic Leadership’s Leadership Intensive. She is a Sustaining member of the Junior League of Portland, Maine, board chair of the United Way of Greater Portland and a member of the Board of the Portland Public Library where she serves as Secretary.
Anne Dalton joined AJLI in 1983 and has been involved in consultative services, training and senior management ever since. As AJLI’s Chief League Operations Officer, she manages the association-wide Strategic Transformation Rollout efforts, provides strategic consulting and training in governance and community impact, oversees consultative services and the affiliation process and is a member of the senior leadership team. Previously, she was Girls Club of New York’s Executive Director, Henry Street Settlement’s Director of Youth Employment Services and Senior Planner with the Vera Institute of Justice. Anne holds a BA in English from Cornell University, an MSW from Hunter College and is a graduate of the Carver Policy Governance Academy and the Institute for Civic Leadership’s Leadership Intensive. She is a Sustaining member of the Junior League of Portland, Maine, board chair of the United Way of Greater Portland and a member of the Board of the Portland Public Library where she serves as Secretary.
Jackie Jordan-Davis
Jackie Jordan-Davis is the owner of Workplace Coaches, a boutique coaching and training company dedicated to helping managers and emerging leaders get better performance results for their time and effort, and implement practices to improve their quality-of-life at work. Jackie has nearly three decades of experience working with staff and volunteers in purpose-driven organizations as a former nonprofit executive director, member of the Peter Drucker training and consultation team, and independent contractor for several Corporation for National and Community Service training and technical assistance providers. She has also served as an executive coach for several national and local initiatives, including NeighborWorks “Achieving Excellence” program; the Boston Public Schools “Management Institute” for administrative staff; and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “Developing Leadership in Substance Abuse” project. Jackie lives in Westampton, New Jersey.
Jackie Jordan-Davis is the owner of Workplace Coaches, a boutique coaching and training company dedicated to helping managers and emerging leaders get better performance results for their time and effort, and implement practices to improve their quality-of-life at work. Jackie has nearly three decades of experience working with staff and volunteers in purpose-driven organizations as a former nonprofit executive director, member of the Peter Drucker training and consultation team, and independent contractor for several Corporation for National and Community Service training and technical assistance providers. She has also served as an executive coach for several national and local initiatives, including NeighborWorks “Achieving Excellence” program; the Boston Public Schools “Management Institute” for administrative staff; and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “Developing Leadership in Substance Abuse” project. Jackie lives in Westampton, New Jersey.
Tara Del Gavio
Tara Del Gavio, CPA and Senior Audit Manager, has over twenty years of experience working at public accounting firms with clients in all facets of the Nonprofit arena. In addition to serving clients, Tara is active in training staff and seniors in all aspects of the practice, and serves as a technical advisor to her clients.
Prior to joining Sobel & Co. in 2017, Tara worked as a Senior Manager for a regional CPA firm in their nonprofit and employee benefit groups. In that capacity, Tara managed audit teams of between three to seven staff on clients in various areas of Nonprofit, including Social Service Organizations, Higher Education, Foundations and Trade Associations.
Tara was a Trustee, and the Treasurer of Holy Angels Academy in Demarest, NJ from 2006-2016. Tara is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. Tara graduated from Felician University in 1998 with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting.
Tara Del Gavio, CPA and Senior Audit Manager, has over twenty years of experience working at public accounting firms with clients in all facets of the Nonprofit arena. In addition to serving clients, Tara is active in training staff and seniors in all aspects of the practice, and serves as a technical advisor to her clients.
Prior to joining Sobel & Co. in 2017, Tara worked as a Senior Manager for a regional CPA firm in their nonprofit and employee benefit groups. In that capacity, Tara managed audit teams of between three to seven staff on clients in various areas of Nonprofit, including Social Service Organizations, Higher Education, Foundations and Trade Associations.
Tara was a Trustee, and the Treasurer of Holy Angels Academy in Demarest, NJ from 2006-2016. Tara is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. Tara graduated from Felician University in 1998 with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting.
Sally Glick
Sally Glick, MBA is a Principal and Chief Growth Strategist at Sobel & Co., LLC. Ms. Glick is responsible for Sobel & Co's marketing communications and its focus on business development. Ms. Glick has spent over 30 years in accounting marketing. Prior to her move to New Jersey, she was the Marketing Director at Pencor LLP and later at PKF International. She has spent her career working as a marketing consultant assisting a wide range of CPA firms across the country. She served as Chief Marketing Officer at J.H. Cohn LLP. She was named Accounting Marketer of the Year for 2003 and served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) in 2004. She has also been listed on Accounting Today’s list of Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for 2004, 2005 and 2006 and was voted into the AAM Hall of Fame in 2007. She was selected as a Women of Influence for 2005 in New Jersey.
Ms. Glick had the honor of being the first non-CPA woman to appear on the cover of Practical Accountant in August 2002. She was recently selected by NJBIZ as one of their Top 50 Women in Business for 2008. She has been active in several local AAM chapters and serves on the boards of a variety of business and community groups and is an advisor to several accounting marketing industry publications. Ms. Glick earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and in 2008 she was selected as the NU Alumni of the Year Merit Winner for the School of Continuing Studies. She earned her MBA from The Lake Forest Graduate School of Business Management in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Sally Glick, MBA is a Principal and Chief Growth Strategist at Sobel & Co., LLC. Ms. Glick is responsible for Sobel & Co's marketing communications and its focus on business development. Ms. Glick has spent over 30 years in accounting marketing. Prior to her move to New Jersey, she was the Marketing Director at Pencor LLP and later at PKF International. She has spent her career working as a marketing consultant assisting a wide range of CPA firms across the country. She served as Chief Marketing Officer at J.H. Cohn LLP. She was named Accounting Marketer of the Year for 2003 and served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) in 2004. She has also been listed on Accounting Today’s list of Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for 2004, 2005 and 2006 and was voted into the AAM Hall of Fame in 2007. She was selected as a Women of Influence for 2005 in New Jersey.
Ms. Glick had the honor of being the first non-CPA woman to appear on the cover of Practical Accountant in August 2002. She was recently selected by NJBIZ as one of their Top 50 Women in Business for 2008. She has been active in several local AAM chapters and serves on the boards of a variety of business and community groups and is an advisor to several accounting marketing industry publications. Ms. Glick earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and in 2008 she was selected as the NU Alumni of the Year Merit Winner for the School of Continuing Studies. She earned her MBA from The Lake Forest Graduate School of Business Management in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Christina Goulding
A Wall Street veteran, Christina spent the first 10 years of her career in investment banking and corporate bond trading working for Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America and Deutsche Bank. With a passion for helping others, Christina has been involved with several nonprofits over the last 15 years, receiving the President’s Volunteer Gold Service Award in 2012. Her nonprofit experience includes membership in the New York Junior League and the Summit Junior League, where she is currently a Sustainer. While an Active Member in the Summit Junior League, Christina chaired the Grants Committee and served multi-year Treasurer positions on the Board of Directors. Christina co-chaired Overlook Hospital Auxiliary’s biennial fundraiser in 2015 and is a member of the Women’s Association of Morristown Hospital. She has also served multi-year Treasurer and Finance Chair Board of Directors positions at The Connection in Summit, NJ.
Christina is a Managing Director at Seelaus Asset Management and specializes in working with nonprofit clients.
A Wall Street veteran, Christina spent the first 10 years of her career in investment banking and corporate bond trading working for Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America and Deutsche Bank. With a passion for helping others, Christina has been involved with several nonprofits over the last 15 years, receiving the President’s Volunteer Gold Service Award in 2012. Her nonprofit experience includes membership in the New York Junior League and the Summit Junior League, where she is currently a Sustainer. While an Active Member in the Summit Junior League, Christina chaired the Grants Committee and served multi-year Treasurer positions on the Board of Directors. Christina co-chaired Overlook Hospital Auxiliary’s biennial fundraiser in 2015 and is a member of the Women’s Association of Morristown Hospital. She has also served multi-year Treasurer and Finance Chair Board of Directors positions at The Connection in Summit, NJ.
Christina is a Managing Director at Seelaus Asset Management and specializes in working with nonprofit clients.
John Hicks
John W. Hicks, CFRE is Principal and Founder of DLBHICKS LLC, a consulting firm based in Vernon, New Jersey providing fundraising and grant seeking guidance and support to nonprofit organizations from grassroots to global. Over a career of nearly 30 years, John has worked with a diverse and broad group of nonprofits both in the U.S. and abroad.
John is a member of the faculty of Columbia University's Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management program here he teaches on the topic of grant writing and serves as a lecturer for the Rutgers University Institute for Ethical Leadership in best practices in fundraising and board management. John also serves as an instructor for The Foundation Center’s Proposal Writing Bootcamp. He has been awarded "Stellar Speaker" status by The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and has appeared as a featured speaker for The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Institute of Fundraising (UK). John is a contributing author to After the Grant (Foundation Center, 2010) and to The Nonprofit Handbook: Fund Raising (Wiley, 2001) and has published articles with Fund Raising Management and Advancing Philanthropy.
A Certified Fund Raising Executive, John is a former member of the Board of Directors of AFP International and the AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy. He is past president of the AFP New York City Chapter and has served as Chair of Fund Raising Day in New York, the nation's largest one- day conference on philanthropy. John holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Hartford. He has completed professional education courses with the Lake Forest School of Management and Harvard University's Program on Negotiation.
John W. Hicks, CFRE is Principal and Founder of DLBHICKS LLC, a consulting firm based in Vernon, New Jersey providing fundraising and grant seeking guidance and support to nonprofit organizations from grassroots to global. Over a career of nearly 30 years, John has worked with a diverse and broad group of nonprofits both in the U.S. and abroad.
John is a member of the faculty of Columbia University's Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management program here he teaches on the topic of grant writing and serves as a lecturer for the Rutgers University Institute for Ethical Leadership in best practices in fundraising and board management. John also serves as an instructor for The Foundation Center’s Proposal Writing Bootcamp. He has been awarded "Stellar Speaker" status by The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and has appeared as a featured speaker for The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Institute of Fundraising (UK). John is a contributing author to After the Grant (Foundation Center, 2010) and to The Nonprofit Handbook: Fund Raising (Wiley, 2001) and has published articles with Fund Raising Management and Advancing Philanthropy.
A Certified Fund Raising Executive, John is a former member of the Board of Directors of AFP International and the AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy. He is past president of the AFP New York City Chapter and has served as Chair of Fund Raising Day in New York, the nation's largest one- day conference on philanthropy. John holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Hartford. He has completed professional education courses with the Lake Forest School of Management and Harvard University's Program on Negotiation.
Laura Magedoff, Esq.
As a principal of Nissenbaum Law Group, LLC, Laura J. Magedoff, Esq., is the head of the firm's transactional practice. She manages all aspects of the representation of a variety of corporate entities through the firm's offices in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. A key component of her practice involves the representation of nonprofit organizations. In this regard, Ms. Magedoff routinely advises clients with respect to the formation and ongoing operation of nonprofit entities, including, obtaining and maintaining 501c3 and other tax exempt status; the appointment and removal of board members; the interplay between the board, the Executive Director and hired staff; employment matters; corporate governance and transactional matters; and overseeing litigation matters in which a client entity may be involved. She has been repeatedly invited to present and train constituent members (mostly nonprofit entities) of the American Association of Community Theatre at its annual meetings.
Ms. Magedoff also serves numerous nonprofit organizations as a volunteer. She is the incoming Training Chair for the State Council of New Jersey Junior Leagues; served as a board member of the Junior League of Summit, Inc., for three years; was appointed as a member of the National Leadership Team for Kappa Delta Sorority, Inc., as a Chapter Accounting Director (6 years) and now as a Chapter Housing Resource Specialist; serves on the advisory board to the local chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority at Pace University; and is working hard to build the next generation of volunteers as a Girl Scout troop leader for her daughter’s troop. Ms. Magedoff has also been actively involved in various community and philanthropic fundraisers.
Ms. Magedoff is a graduate of the University of Delaware and Fordham University School of Law.
As a principal of Nissenbaum Law Group, LLC, Laura J. Magedoff, Esq., is the head of the firm's transactional practice. She manages all aspects of the representation of a variety of corporate entities through the firm's offices in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. A key component of her practice involves the representation of nonprofit organizations. In this regard, Ms. Magedoff routinely advises clients with respect to the formation and ongoing operation of nonprofit entities, including, obtaining and maintaining 501c3 and other tax exempt status; the appointment and removal of board members; the interplay between the board, the Executive Director and hired staff; employment matters; corporate governance and transactional matters; and overseeing litigation matters in which a client entity may be involved. She has been repeatedly invited to present and train constituent members (mostly nonprofit entities) of the American Association of Community Theatre at its annual meetings.
Ms. Magedoff also serves numerous nonprofit organizations as a volunteer. She is the incoming Training Chair for the State Council of New Jersey Junior Leagues; served as a board member of the Junior League of Summit, Inc., for three years; was appointed as a member of the National Leadership Team for Kappa Delta Sorority, Inc., as a Chapter Accounting Director (6 years) and now as a Chapter Housing Resource Specialist; serves on the advisory board to the local chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority at Pace University; and is working hard to build the next generation of volunteers as a Girl Scout troop leader for her daughter’s troop. Ms. Magedoff has also been actively involved in various community and philanthropic fundraisers.
Ms. Magedoff is a graduate of the University of Delaware and Fordham University School of Law.
Colleen Markley
Colleen graduated from Boston University with a degree in Film and Television and worked at Channel 13/WNET (the New York PBS station) before becoming CEO of House and Home for her family. A resident of Chatham Borough since 2002, Colleen has embraced volunteer life and has served as President of the Chatham Newcomers Club, President of the Chatham Education Foundation, President of the Junior League of Summit, and President of the Small Leagues Big Impact national affiliation group. She is currently serving as Chair for the Junior Leagues of New Jersey, and is a founding member of the Get On Board committee.
A freelance writer, Colleen authors a blog called www.yesitreallyhappened.com, enjoys that her work has appeared in variety of publications, and is working on her second novel. Colleen is a big fan of making the world a better place, and finding a sense of humor to keep things sane in the meantime.
Colleen graduated from Boston University with a degree in Film and Television and worked at Channel 13/WNET (the New York PBS station) before becoming CEO of House and Home for her family. A resident of Chatham Borough since 2002, Colleen has embraced volunteer life and has served as President of the Chatham Newcomers Club, President of the Chatham Education Foundation, President of the Junior League of Summit, and President of the Small Leagues Big Impact national affiliation group. She is currently serving as Chair for the Junior Leagues of New Jersey, and is a founding member of the Get On Board committee.
A freelance writer, Colleen authors a blog called www.yesitreallyhappened.com, enjoys that her work has appeared in variety of publications, and is working on her second novel. Colleen is a big fan of making the world a better place, and finding a sense of humor to keep things sane in the meantime.
Karen Rezach
Dr. Karen Rezach is the Founding Director of The Ethics Institute at Kent Place School. A leader in primary and secondary school ethics education, Dr. Rezach has been teaching and facilitating ethics workshops for students, parents, faculty, administrators and private organizations for over ten years. She has developed partnerships with leading ethical institutions, including The Hastings Center and Georgetown University’s Kennedy Institute of Ethics, to develop signature programs for high school students. Her doctoral research, “Spiritual Leadership as a Model of Effective Leadership in Independent School,” explores the ways that educators can bring values and moral awareness into non-sectarian settings, and was the catalyst for the founding of the Ethics Institute at Kent Place School. She has an M.Div. from Yale University, an Ed.D. from Seton Hall University, is an ordained Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Newark and serves on numerous boards in the community. Dr. Rezach is the coach of the National Champion Kent Place High School Ethics Bowl Team. She has 23 years of experience as an independent school administrator, including Director of the Middle School at Kent Place and Assistant Head of School at St. Philip’s in Newark, New Jersey.
Dr. Karen Rezach is the Founding Director of The Ethics Institute at Kent Place School. A leader in primary and secondary school ethics education, Dr. Rezach has been teaching and facilitating ethics workshops for students, parents, faculty, administrators and private organizations for over ten years. She has developed partnerships with leading ethical institutions, including The Hastings Center and Georgetown University’s Kennedy Institute of Ethics, to develop signature programs for high school students. Her doctoral research, “Spiritual Leadership as a Model of Effective Leadership in Independent School,” explores the ways that educators can bring values and moral awareness into non-sectarian settings, and was the catalyst for the founding of the Ethics Institute at Kent Place School. She has an M.Div. from Yale University, an Ed.D. from Seton Hall University, is an ordained Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Newark and serves on numerous boards in the community. Dr. Rezach is the coach of the National Champion Kent Place High School Ethics Bowl Team. She has 23 years of experience as an independent school administrator, including Director of the Middle School at Kent Place and Assistant Head of School at St. Philip’s in Newark, New Jersey.
Paul Rozenberg, Esq.
Marissa Ruggiero
Marissa Ruggiero is an employment law attorney and a senior HR professional. She has held multiple roles at Fortune 500 companies, and is currently Human Resources Business Partner Director for a large global services organization. Marissa regularly presents HR compliance training on a variety of issues, such as the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), among others.
Marissa is active in the community and sits on multiple non-profit boards. She is the President and Co-Founder of the Springfield Unity Project (SUP), a new grassroots organization which hopes to foster a deeper and more meaningful understanding among Springfield’s diverse communities. Marissa was responsible for setting up the organization as a non-profit, as well as drafting the bylaws. Marissa is also currently a member of the Board of Trustees for Temple Sha’arey Shalom in Springfield. She is a lead organizer of Springfield’s annual Salute to Veterans 5k, the temple’s largest philanthropic fundraiser, benefiting the New Jersey Veterans Network. Marissa is also growing the next generation of female leaders, as the Troop Leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop.
Marissa is a former member of the Junior League of Summit, and was assistant chair of the FUND committe. Marissa is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, and Seton Hall School of Law in Newark. She is licensed to practice law in NJ and NY.
Marissa Ruggiero is an employment law attorney and a senior HR professional. She has held multiple roles at Fortune 500 companies, and is currently Human Resources Business Partner Director for a large global services organization. Marissa regularly presents HR compliance training on a variety of issues, such as the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), among others.
Marissa is active in the community and sits on multiple non-profit boards. She is the President and Co-Founder of the Springfield Unity Project (SUP), a new grassroots organization which hopes to foster a deeper and more meaningful understanding among Springfield’s diverse communities. Marissa was responsible for setting up the organization as a non-profit, as well as drafting the bylaws. Marissa is also currently a member of the Board of Trustees for Temple Sha’arey Shalom in Springfield. She is a lead organizer of Springfield’s annual Salute to Veterans 5k, the temple’s largest philanthropic fundraiser, benefiting the New Jersey Veterans Network. Marissa is also growing the next generation of female leaders, as the Troop Leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop.
Marissa is a former member of the Junior League of Summit, and was assistant chair of the FUND committe. Marissa is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, and Seton Hall School of Law in Newark. She is licensed to practice law in NJ and NY.
Rana Shanawani
Rana’s favorite aspect of coaching with Own The Room is watching even the grumpiest skeptic transform into an engaged participant, learning life-changing skills within a matter of minutes and having fun while doing it. Her own experience as a speaker has taken her across the world, from Hong Kong to England, Argentina, and Lebanon.
Rana spent 12 years in Syria as a micro-entrepreneurship expert. After working with several United Nations programs (including UNICEF and UNDP), she was selected to become CEO of Syria’s chapter of Youth Business International (YBI), the global micro-entrepreneurship foundation headed by Prince Charles. Her work with YBI led her to meet with global leaders, from the Prince of Wales to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. More recently, she has provided management consulting to major U.S. nonprofits such as the Global Health Equity Foundation and the Syrian American Medical Society. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
Rana holds a Master’s from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and a Bachelor’s from Cornell University. She ran the New York City Marathon in 2013. She is fluent in Arabic.
Rana’s favorite aspect of coaching with Own The Room is watching even the grumpiest skeptic transform into an engaged participant, learning life-changing skills within a matter of minutes and having fun while doing it. Her own experience as a speaker has taken her across the world, from Hong Kong to England, Argentina, and Lebanon.
Rana spent 12 years in Syria as a micro-entrepreneurship expert. After working with several United Nations programs (including UNICEF and UNDP), she was selected to become CEO of Syria’s chapter of Youth Business International (YBI), the global micro-entrepreneurship foundation headed by Prince Charles. Her work with YBI led her to meet with global leaders, from the Prince of Wales to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. More recently, she has provided management consulting to major U.S. nonprofits such as the Global Health Equity Foundation and the Syrian American Medical Society. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
Rana holds a Master’s from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and a Bachelor’s from Cornell University. She ran the New York City Marathon in 2013. She is fluent in Arabic.