2022 Conference Speakers

First Last

Title, Company

Bio

XXX is a member of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.

Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt, MBA

President, Suasion Communications Group

Susan manages a multi-hyphenate career as a seasoned entrepreneur, adjunct professor and corporate trainer. As president of Suasion Communications Group, Susan leads a team of creative professionals who execute award-winning branding, public relations, digital and marketing campaigns. For the past 15 years, Susan and her team have positioned Suasion as a successful omni-channel boutique agency, with offices located in Somers Point (headquarters) and Haddonfield, New Jersey. Suasion provides customized campaigns for tourism destinations, municipalities, corporations, retail, healthcare, financial and nonprofit organizations. Suasion is a certified Woman-Owned Small Business Enterprise (WBE/SBE). Currently, Susan is a Doctoral Candidate (Organizational Leadership) at Stockton University in Galloway, NJ, where she also completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and English from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA. In addition to her professional career as an entrepreneur, Susan also serves as a Stockton University School of Business Adjunct Professor, where she inspires young minds with insightful, real-world lessons on marketing and advertising. Additionally, Susan shares her business knowledge at well-received seminars and workshops that take place regularly at schools, universities, industry associations and business organizations.

Adelizzi-Schmidt is a member of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.

Michele Alonso, AICP, PP

Director of Planning and Redevelopment, City of Asbury Park

Michele Alonso has been an urban planner in New Jersey for 26 years for the state’s most dynamic and redeveloping cities. She has been a planner for Jersey City and Newark and currently is Director of Planning and Redevelopment for Asbury Park. She has specific expertise in urban redevelopment and historic preservation and how the two create economic development. She administers the Public Art Commission and helped launch a new City Mural program that highlights the work of emerging artists.

Peter Bronsnick

Executive Managing Director, Managing Principal – New Jersey, Cushman & Wakefield

Peter Bronsnick, Managing Principal & Executive Managing Director, serves as Cushman Wakefield’s Market Leader for New Jersey. Based in East Rutherford, Bronsnick’s responsibilities include leadership and executive oversight of all the firm’s market activities, engagements, operations, and growth spanning C&W’s three offices in New Jersey including Morristown and Iselin. As an integral member of the Tri-State leadership committee, Peter has oversight of more than 600 professionals state-wide with P&L responsibility. The well-regarded executive comes to C&W with more than 20 years of diverse industry experience most recently serving as SJP Properties’ President for the New Jersey region. Bronsnick’s expertise includes all facets of the real estate process from conception to development, including site selection, planning, entitlements, construction, leasing, acquisitions, project and asset management, assembling debt, equity capital partners, and comprehensive marketing programs.

Jef Buehler

Leader, Neighborhood Preservation Program

Jef is a results-oriented, collaborative, and creatively entrepreneurial professional who is an evangelist for asset-based change and the collective human capacity to make that change happen, one place at a time. Currently, he runs the annual $5 million Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP), the $2.5M NPP-Community Capital Needs program, and the soon to be launched $2.5M NPP-American Rescue Plan program, working with 40 designated mixed-use neighborhood districts in urban, suburban, and rural settings, many of which are majority low-income. In 2020, he created and ran the $6.1M+ NPP-CRF grant and technical assistance program in response to COVID-19. At the NJDCA, Jef provides technical assistance, training, and grants to municipalities, local officials, non-profit district management and community enhancement organizations and an array of local private-sector stakeholders who live in, run businesses in, and own property in each NPP district. Jef has done place-based community and economic revitalization work around the US and in Latin America since 1990. He’s lived in Camden, Trenton, and Bordentown, but currently resides with his family (and several chickens) in Frenchtown where he heads up Sustainable Frenchtown and is VP of Love Frenchtown, the business and professional association there.

Buehler is a member of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.

The Honorable Helmin J. Caba

Mayor, City of Perth Amboy

On January 8, 2021, Mayor Helmin J. Caba made history as the first elected mayor of Dominican Republic descent in the City of Perth Amboy. Since taking office, Mayor Caba has been addressing the significant challenges facing the city’s financial conditions, budget deficits, and the public health emergency of COVID-19. He has “rolled up his sleeves” with tenacious effort to balance the city’s budget while keeping in mind the highest priorities of our community’s needs that make up a large Hispanic majority population.

Mayor Caba looks to re-establish Perth Amboy as one of the leading cities in Middlesex County though effective management practices, economic development, and the need to brand the city’s major physical, economic, and historic assets. Mayor Caba priorities include to create a more equitable and prosperous city for all residents through collaborations with non-profits, businesses, and state and federal partners to move Perth Amboy forward. His vision to transform the workforce with skilled and innovative thinking for capacity development and growth.

 Before becoming Perth Amboy’s Mayor, Caba served as a City Councilman since 2016, worked as High School Paraprofessional with the Perth Amboy Board of Education, and business owner of Fine-Line Hair Studio, Healthy Choice Grill Restaurant and Forever Young School Uniforms. He also was a Board member with the City’s Arts Council, Municipal Alliance and Historic Preservation Commission.

The Honorable Sheena C. Collum

President, Township of South Orange Village

The Honorable Sheena C. Collum currently serves as the Village President (Mayor) of Township of South Orange Village and has concentrated her priorities around smart growth and economic development, citizen engagement and volunteerism, and streamlining municipal operations through consolidations, shared services and the expansion of technology. Professionally, Ms. Collum is the Executive Director of the American Planning Association – New Jersey Chapter, a statewide planning organization whose mission is to help build stronger communities and provide more choices for how people work and live while meeting the challenges of both growth and change. Ms. Collum is a proud alumnus of Seton Hall University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in public policy.

The Honorable Betsy Driver

Mayor, Borough of Flemington

Betsy Driver is the mayor of Flemington Borough. Over the past four years, she has been working to revitalize the Borough’s downtown through a combination of zoning changes and creative place-marking.

Meghan Hunscher

President and CEO, Morris County Chamber of Commerce

Meghan Hunscher currently serves as President & CEO of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, a business association in northern New Jersey. The Chamber connects, convenes, facilitates, educates, and advocates on behalf of its members. She previously served as the Director of the Chamber’s economic development division where she actively developed partnerships between the public, private and non-profit sectors. She has prior experience consulting and in municipal government. She also serves on non-profit boards and advisory councils. She received her undergraduate degree in Urban Studies and graduate degree in City and Regional Planning from University of Pennsylvania.

Al Kahwaty

Co-Chair, Passaic County Film Commission

Al Kahwaty is a Little Falls council member and an Emmy-winning television producer who has worked at broadcasts such at 60 Minutes and Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He now owns and operates his own production company, Kahwaty Media. Al has been a member of the Passaic County Film Commission for several years and is currently serving as it’s c0-chair. While there he helped to create and raise funding for an annual grant of film production equipment to local schools and he has been a member of several high school film production advisory boards. 

Robin Lapidus

Executive Director, Flemington BID

As the BID Executive Director, Robin Lapidus is a dedicated steward with a mission to foster a thriving business community in Historic Flemington NJ. She is a fierce advocate of the borough’s economic potential and has worked tirelessly to create public-private partnerships to advance growth. She has been instrumental in attracting new developers and new investments to this “opportunity zone.” A Maplewood native, Robin received a Master’s Degree from Harvard University and directed Business Associations in Harvard Square, Central Square and Provincetown Massachusetts. Robin applies her decades-long experience to provide strategic leadership for all facets of the FCP; working collaboratively with a volunteer board, business and property owners, local government officials, industry thought leaders and community organizations. Under Robin’s leadership, the borough has been awarded hundreds of thousands in grant money from the NPP / DCA and the NJEDA for strategic planning, housing studies, and visible and tangible place-making improvements. These efforts have attracted new and expanding businesses to Flemington even during the pandemic. The FCP was able to pivot during the pandemic to providing information about business grants and forgivable loans, and 288 of our 450 — mostly small – businesses received funds that totaled an approximately 21 Million Dollars. Well underway is the construction of the new Courthouse Square project on historic Main Street; and a groundbreaking for Liberty Village, which will transform the borough’s notable first Outlet Mall in America into Flemington’s newest walkable neighborhood.

Emily Manz

VP of Business Development, Invest Newark

In her role at Invest Newark, Manz is responsible for supporting businesses in starting, staying, expanding, or moving to Newark and marketing the city.  She is also co-founder of Have You Met Newark Tours, a 5-Star rated tour company focused on providing walking tours in Newark for over 10 years. Clients include hundreds of congregations, schools, organizations, and corporations. 

Previously, Manz served as Executive Director of Preservation New Jersey, and owned EMI Strategy a boutique economic development events and marketing firm for 6 years. Before that she worked for international economic development and lead generation firm OCO Global and Brick City Development Corporation.

Manz serves as on the Board of Directors of F.P. Youth Out Cry Help Us Become Better Center, the Northeast Economic Development Association, and Congregation Ahavas Sholom in Newark. Manz has a MA in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers, a MA in International Relations from Central European University in Hungary, and a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Delaware. 

Manz is a member of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.

Joseph Marra

Production Coordinator, NJ Motion Picture + TV Commission

Marra has been with the NJ Film Commission for almost 11 years, helping productions find locations in New Jersey, photographing locations to add to our Locations Database, and interfacing with towns about the experience of hosting a film production. Marra obtained an undergraduate degree from George Washington University and a Masters of Fine Arts in Film Production from Loyola Marymount University.

Wesley Mathews

President and CEO, Choose New Jersey

Wesley Mathews brings over two decades of experience in business development, diplomacy, and finance to his role as President & Chief Executive Officer of Choose New Jersey, the state’s leading nonprofit economic development organization. Prior to assuming leadership of Choose New Jersey, Mr. Mathews was a career diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service, focused on strengthening U.S. economic and commercial interests. He served at embassies and consulates in Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Germany, and Nigeria, as well as in Washington, D.C. During this time, Mr. Mathews served as a loaned executive to the New Jersey state government, establishing an international trade and investment office. He was instrumental in enhancing New Jersey’s global reach and devising successful strategies to attract greater foreign direct investment. Mr. Mathews played a critical role in opening new markets for New Jersey and launching New Jersey hubs in Europe and India. He will leverage these experiences to promote New Jersey domestically and abroad as the premier destination to build and grow a business.

CITI Medina

Founder, =SPACE

Medina is a Creative Strategist who has over 10 years of experience in Design & Strategy. Medina leads campaigns in an ever-immersive media world, driven by high-engaging multicultural millennial audiences. His passion for strategy and design led to the creation of MEDINA = CITI, a design collective, which delves into the worlds of Print Design, Web Design, Multimedia, Film Production, Photography, Ongoing/Contributing Marketing Strategies and Social Media campaigns. As an expert in entrepreneurship, design and strategy, Medina is a visiting professor at Rutgers University and has spoken at seminars and panels throughout the tri-state area. His TEDx Talk, Just a Boy From Brooklyn has been featured on numerous platforms, from SBA to Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Push Coalition. Speaking to aspiring entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses and arming them with tools for success, Medina always finds a way to surge his community forward and create success for others.

Medina has crafted strategy intensives for business associations, like the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, NJIT, and the NJLGBT Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Medina led the creative direction on campaigns for Nely Galan’s New York Times Best Selling Book Self Made. Medina was also the creative lead for the branding of BRAVA Investments.

MEDINA’s tireless passion for entrepreneurship and technology has led to his founding of a Sharespace & Incubator facility in Newark, New Jersey called = SPACE (equalspace.co), a unique co-working space for financial tech, securities tech and large media platforms, which focuses on founders of color, LGBT-led startups and women ventures. He also sits on the advisory board of several Newark businesses and startups, including Digital Undivided (powered by Prudential), Middlesex Grants and Project Reneighbor.

Ann Marie Miller

Director of Advocacy & Public Policy, ArtPride New Jersey

Ann Marie Miller is Director of Advocacy & Public Policy for the ArtPride NJ Foundation and served as its Executive Director for 20 years. Prior to joining ArtPride, Ann Marie was Director of Development at McCarter Theatre, a Tony-award winning regional theatre and performing arts center, and Grants Coordinator at the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Ann Marie is a trustee of Arts Ed New Jersey, Young Audiences of NJ & Eastern PA, and Chair of the Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission in her hometown. A recipient of the 2015 Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award from Americans for the Arts, Ann Marie is a graduate of Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia with a B.S. in Art Education.

Paul Muir

President, Guild of Clinton

Paul Muir grew up in Mountainside, moving to Harding Township during High School, where he graduated from Delbarton School. After Delbarton, Paul attended and graduated early from Bucknell University with a BSBA where he met his wife Dawn. Paul and Dawn moved to Bethlehem Township in 2000 one month after their marriage. Paul has two children, Morgan (17) and PJ (13). Paul has served eight years as Mayor of Bethlehem Township, and twelve years on the Township Committee. Paul has served on Bethlehem Land Use Boards since 2001. As Mayor Paul also serves on the Route 78/22 Economic Development Coalition and Hunterdon County Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Paul is the First Vice President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors as well as Chairing the Intra Municipal Affairs Committee of the Legislative Committee of the League of Municipalities.

Paul serves the community in many ways, especially in his position as the Executive Director of the Red Mill Museum Village as well as the Guild of Clinton President. Paul is a Board Member of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Roundtable. Paul is President of Preservation New Jersey where he implements innovative initiatives for adaptive reuse and promotes the positive community impact of Historic Preservation. Paul is a Paul Harris Fellow member of the North Hunterdon Rotary, 200 Club of Hunterdon County, and a Trustee of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hunterdon County. Paul is also a lifelong entrepreneur starting various businesses with his core operations being a metal recycling business derived from his family’s original business started in 1938 as well as automotive operations including an independent repair facility and a nationally recognized award-winning automotive restoration business.

William Noonan

Business Development Director, Choose New Jersey

William “Bill” Noonan is the Business Development Director at Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit economic development organization. 

Bill manages a team of business development officers and oversees the Technology, Financial Services, Film & Television, and Gaming sectors to identify growth opportunities, nurture client relationships and develop strategies to promote interest in New Jersey as an ideal business location. 

Bill has deep connections within New Jersey’s technology ecosystem including the Jersey City/Hoboken startup community. Prior to joining Choose New Jersey, Bill served as the Senior Director of SPHERE Technology Solutions – an IT company specializing in cybersecurity – responsible for marketing, sales and business development. 

Bill’s extensive experience in the financial services industry includes leadership roles at HSBC Bank, TASC, Gevity and NeoVision Hypersystems, Inc.  

Shoshanna M. Page

Senior Policy Advisor and Communications Strategist, Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s Office, City of Newark

Shoshanna M. Page provides guidance, policy expertise and identifies gaps that improve the quality of life for Newark residents. In addition, Ms. Page develops policies and recommendations that are aligned with Mayor Baraka’s strategic priorities and his transformation objectives for the City of Newark.

 Prior to joining the City of Newark, Ms. Page was Project Specialist/ Fellow for the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA), where she provided technical assistance, policy analysis and capacity building for 32 urban Mayors in New Jersey. Additionally, Ms. Page coordinated policy activities for the Women’s Fund of New Jersey where she leveraged partnerships among grass-roots, political and private-sector organizations in order to impact the broader social, policy and institutional landscape by increasing the number of women leaders who are involved in shaping public policy. Ms. Page received a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Delaware State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Service Leadership in Community and Economic Development at Thomas Edison State University and continues to expand her knowledge and expertise.

Elizabeth Parchment

Director of Marketing and Chief Diversity Officer, NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission

Elizabeth Parchment, an experienced chief architect of multi-channel efforts to help old-school cultures find their way in a digital and inclusive age, is Director of Marketing at the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission. She has migrated the commission’s operations to a fully integrated and business platform.

 Elizabeth guides the commission in all aspects of communications, training, D&I strategies and programmatic events to promote New Jersey as the premier filming destination and drive inclusion in film and media in the state. Given the recent influx of production activity, she launched the state’s inaugural program to certify municipalities as “film-ready”: ready and prepared to cooperate with movie and television producers.

With over 12 years of extensive legislative, operational and volunteerism experience, Elizabeth previously served as Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism, and in several capacities at the New Jersey General Assembly, including Deputy Clerk and as a policy operations manager and policy analyst.

Natalie Pineiro

Executive Director, Downtown Somerville Alliance

The Downtown Somerville Alliance is the district management corporation for downtown Somerville – one of New Jersey’s premiere downtowns. The district has become known for its colorful dining scene, flourishing retail, and up and coming arts and culture scene.

 As the executive director of this 501C3, Natalie promotes balanced and progressive economic development and leverages the art of creating experiences that continue to bring a new and diverse population to Somerville. She also oversees infrastructure and beautification projects and works with historians and environmentalists alike to maintain and promote the historic charm that is unique to the district.

 When she’s not in Somerville, Natalie serves as an adjunct instructor in the School of Communication, Media, and Journalism at Kean University where she teaches Public Relations, Public Speaking and Business and Professional Communication. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Safe + Sound Somerset, and Downtown New Jersey; is a liaison to Arts on Division – an arts advocacy organization focused on advancing arts initiatives Somerville; and is a Commissioner on the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission. She is also one of this year’s recipients of the Somerset County Business Partnership’s inaugural 40 under 40 award.

Pineiro is a member of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.

The Honorable Kathleen Miller Prunty

Mayor, Township of Cranford

Mayor Kathleen Prunty’s history of public service is extensive. Having been first elected to the Cranford Township Committee in 2019, she was elected Deputy Mayor in 2020 and Mayor in 2021 and 2022. She has been a liaison for the Emergency Management Council, the Flood Advisory Committee, and the Swim Pool Advisory Board, to name a few. She also organized Cranford’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee. She stresses the importance of slowing down drivers within our community and sharing our roads with all commuters. Prunty is part of the Cranford Equity and Inclusivity Initiative and has been a member of the Cranford Township Planning Board since 2020.

Prior to her work as an elected official, Mayor Prunty was steadfast in her commitment to improve the local community. For over 20 years from 1997-2018, she was the director of Cranford’s Office of Downtown Business and Economic Development. She has played a major role in revitalizing our downtown, understanding the need to preserve the balance between a lively business community and well-kept residential neighborhoods. During her time as director, she was named 2017 Economic Development Director of the year.

Vanessa Quijano

Director of Communication, NJ Community Capital

Vanessa Quijano, an expert in brand management and integrated marketing communications, is the Director of Communications at New Jersey Community Capital. Vanessa guides the organization in all aspects of communications from brand management to public relations, investor relations to organizational communications. She strives to consistently present the largest CDFI in New Jersey for their great work creating thriving communities and individuals through strategic investments and knowledge. Previously, Vanessa was the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Invest Newark and led the organization in serving the small businesses and entrepreneurs of the City of Newark with access to technical assistance, training and city-wide economic development programs. With Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, Vanessa directed Small Business Services counseling entrepreneurs and small business owners on every aspect of starting, owning and managing a business, including access to capital and how to open shop.

Vanessa holds a Master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from New York University; a Bachelor’s in Communications and a Certificate in Digital Marketing from Rutgers University. She is Vice Chair on the 505 Clinton Urban Renewal Corporation Board of Directors

Quijano is a Vice-President and Treasurer of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.

Leon Rainbow

Artist, aerosol illusions

Leon Rainbow has been living and creating graffiti-influenced art in Trenton, NJ since 1999. He learned classic graffiti styles from Pose 2, Joe Base, and Sew Sm in the early 2000s. He mastered characters, backgrounds and pieces then started experimenting with colors, patterns, and elements and developed his own style of murals. He recently has been designing and painting large-scale ground murals like crosswalks, playgrounds, basketball courts, and intersections. Leon has been active in the local art scene for over 20 years collaborating with various artists and organizations. He is the lead promoter for New Jersey’s annual hip-hop festival, Jersey Fresh Jam. He gives back to the community by teaching classes and workshops.

Douglas Schneider

Restaurateur and Chair, New Brunswick City Center

Doug Schneider is the owner of DHS Hospitality Group. Locations include Olive Branch Bar & Restaurant, Tavern on George gastropub, Clydz Casual Food & Drink, and all hospitality at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. Schneider has been Chairperson of the City Center Board since pre-pandemic.

Michael Shapiro

CEO, TAPinto.net

Michael Shapiro is Founder and CEO of TAPinto, a network of more than 90 franchised online local news and digital marketing platforms in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. He is a columnist for Editor & Publisher Magazine. Shapiro is a graduate of Rutgers College, Rutgers University and Stanford Law School.

Sejal Sharma

Director of Business Development, RWJUH Somerset

Sejal graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University with two bachelor’s degrees in Public Health and Women’s & Gender Studies. She also holds a Masters of Public Health from Rutgers University. Throughout her nearly 20 year healthcare journey, she has worked in the non-profit and for-profit sectors. In 2011, Sejal joined Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Over the past 11 years, she has overseen operations, business development, corporate relations and strategic planning result. Currently she is the Director for Business Development at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. Sejal is responsible for growth and development for the hospital’s service lines, physician relations, and oversees the hospital’s three ethnic navigation programs. Trained as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, she has led several successful process improvement projects for the hospital. In addition to her formal job, she is also very active in supporting the Diversity, Inclusion & Equity efforts and presently is the co-executive sponsor for the Asian Business Resource Group. Sejal is a board member for the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board, the Healthier Somerset Coalition Advisory Board, the Downtown Somerville Alliance and sits on the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association’s “Garden State Go Red.” She is regarded as a local resource on corporate health. In 2017, Sejal was recognized as the Businesswoman of the Year for Somerset County by BW Nice. Most recently, she was named as one of Somerset County’s “Top 40 under 40” for the Somerset County Business Partnership. The title she is most proud of is that of mom, to her two children, Shiv and Anaya.

Darryl Stewart

Founder & CEO, Daryl Stewart Productions
Visiting Curator of Performing Arts, Newark Museum of Art

Daryl Stewart is an artist, producer, cultural consultant and programming visionary. With over ten years’ experience as a programmer and producer, Stewarts credits include reimagining Garden State Equality’s Equality Ball, Newark’s Annual Halsey Festival, The Spotlight Gala at NJPAC, Broadway in the Bricks at Newark Museum, Showtune Sundays in Somerville, Girls Night Out and Pride in Union Township. Stewart is the co-founder of Vanguard Theater Company and the founder & CEO of Daryl Stewart Productions. Stewart made history as the first Theatre Curator in the history of the Newark Arts Festival and serves as Visiting Performing Arts Curator at the Newark Museum of Art (NMOA).

Jennifer Tripucka

Founder, The Local Girl Media Group / The Hoboken Girl / The Montclair Girl

Jennifer Casson Tripucka is a local NJ resident and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Montclair Girl and The Hoboken Girl, two of North Jersey’s top lifestyle websites. She’s also the founder of The Local Girl Media Group, a hyperlocal news and media network. Before she worked as a media entrepreneur, she was an editor at Condé Nast, and a school counselor in the Bloomfield Public Schools — and has always had the desire to give back and help others in her current and former fields through education and content creation. When she’s not working or exploring local gems with her team of local editors + writers in the North Jersey area, she works with several animal rescues as a foster and is an advocate for adults and children living with congenital heart defects — such as her own — through the Adult Congenital Heart Association

Lea Weingarten

Principal, Weingarten Art Group

Lea Weingarten began the Weingarten Art Group in 2006, after more than fifteen years’ experience of working with public and private art collections in achieving collecting and strategic planning goals. Lea has an extensive clientele and travels nationally and internationally throughout the year to art fairs, galleries, and artist studios to provide the best and most knowledgeable access for art enthusiasts. Ms. Weingarten co-founded The Menil Collection’s popular Contemporaries and has served on numerous Menil Committees, including as Chair of the Menil Society. She has served on the boards of the Prints and Drawings Acquisitions Committee of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Glassell School Core Committee, and Civic Arts Committee for the Houston Arts Alliance. She has served multiple terms on the boards of the Contemporary Art Museum Houston and the Holocaust Museum Houston. Lea holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Bob Zuckerman

Executive Director, Red Bank RiverCenter

Bob is currently the Executive Director of the Red Bank RiverCenter, a position which he has served in since June 2022. From 2020 through 2022, Bob was the Executive Director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation and prior to that he served as E.D. of the South Orange Village Center Alliance (“SOVCA”) from 2013-2019. Bob was also a member of the South Orange Board of Trustees, having been elected in May of 2019 and serving through September 2022. Bob is serving his third year as President of Downtown New Jersey.

Bob had numerous accomplishments during his tenure in Westfield, including recruiting and overseeing the opening of numerous new businesses and securing over $200,000 in grant funding.  As Executive Director of the South Orange Village Center Alliance, Bob presided over the opening of over two-dozen new businesses and personally recruited many of those businesses, including Pet Wants SOMA which he co-founded.

Prior to leading SOVCA, Bob served as Executive Director of the Lower East Side Business Improvement District in New York City, where he led that organization’s efforts to attract more shoppers, diners, businesses, and investment in one of New York’s most rapidly changing neighborhoods. Bob is a graduate of Livingston High School, received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Emory University and a law degree from American University. He recently moved to Asbury Park, where he resides with his husband Grant Neumann and their two rescue cats, Willie and Zoey.

Bob is the President of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.

First Last

Title, Company

Bio

XXX is a member of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.