Professional Background Highlights

Richard Grodeck is a Partner at Piro Zinna Cifelli Paris & Genitempo. He is a certified civil trial attorney with decades of experience representing clients in complex personal injury, medical malpractice, and business litigation. He joined Piro Zinna Cifelli Paris & Genitempo as a partner in 2009 after serving as a partner at Feldman Grodeck. He has earned an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Professional Background Highlights

William Michael Barbee is a dedicated mental health advocate and entrepreneur with over 38 years of business experience. He founded eight businesses, creating nearly 1,000 job opportunities in Essex County. He is also a published author of four books and an award-winning filmmaker whose movie “Beyond The Silence” is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.  That film addresses mental health challenges in families and communities. William Michael has spoken on local and national platforms on business development and management, mental health dynamics within the person, family, and community, and issues on national platforms, including the Congress and Mental Health Hill Day events.

Professional Background Highlights

R. Greg Ward is a Chief Financial Officer, Financial Consultant, Tax Accountant. He is a skilled Certified Public Accountant with expertise in financial analysis, auditing, government contracts, and pension/benefits review. He has a strong track record of driving operational improvements in both corporate and nonprofit sectors.

As CFO at Programs for Parents and Urban League of Essex, Greg managed accounting operations for a $50 million regional agency, improving systems and expanding operations. Previously, as Comptroller/CMFO for the City of Newark and the Newark Public Library, he enhanced operational controls for a $16 million public library system. Greg also led systems integration at Sungard Collegis, improving accounting operations for government and higher education clients.

Additional Professional Experience
Greg started his career as a Tax Accountant at NYNEX, where he provided tax preparation and auditing
services for both individual and corporate clients, specializing in nonprofit organizations and multi-year
returns.

Professional Background Highlights

Debbie McRae is a  Family Consultant, CEO/Consultant, Care Manager Supervisor, and Program Administrator.  She is a compassionate Licensed Social Worker with extensive experience in counseling, crisis management, and program administration. She most currently served as a Family Consultant for the Capacity Building Center for States, focusing on child welfare, racial equity, and policy development. As CEO/Consultant at HigherGround Concepts & Consultants LLC, she develops life management programs and organizes community workshops.

Currently, Debbie is a Care Manager Supervisor at Circle of Care, CMO of Passaic County, where she oversees teams and coordinating services for youth and families. She has also held leadership roles at Youth/Consultation Services (YCS), improving program compliance and outcomes. Debbie is also a Licensed Minister and serves at the New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange NJ.

Professional Background Highlights

Amir H. Hashemi is an entrepreneur and real estate developer. He began his career with AIRCOA, a Denver-based real estate and hospitality firm, while attending college. He later launched his entrepreneurial journey, founding ventures in import/export, retail department stores, and real estate development. Since 1989, Amir has owned and operated multiple department and furniture store locations in Northern New Jersey, as well as a UFC gyms. His real estate achievements include development of mid rise residential and  multiple office buildings.
 

In addition to his business ventures, Amir has served as President of the East Orange Chamber of Commerce (2011–2020), ensuring the Chamber's mission, financial stability, and compliance with nonprofit governance laws. He also led Cross Counter Inc. (2007– Present), a nonprofit agency providing critical services for youth with behavioral health issues and homeless college-bound LGBTQ+ students.

Professional Background Highlights

Tammy Williams is a Former Councilwoman in the Township of West Orange. She is a Broker, at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach.  Tammy Williams is a seasoned business development executive and public servant with a proven track record of success in sales, leadership, and community engagement. As a successful Real Estate broker with 20+ years, Tammy has consistently achieved Top Producer status, placing in the top 10% of sales managers nationwide. Beyond her real estate career, Tammy has implemented programming for diverse communities and served as a commissioner and president on various boards and nonprofit organizations.

Professional Background Highlights

President and CEO, Hope Edge International, Board of Trustees. Dr. Aluya is a highly experienced physician with clinical expertise spanning three continents. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer of Newark Community Health Center, Medical Director of Sinai Acute Rehabilitation Center, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Rutgers University. As a leader in healthcare, he has spearheaded numerous medical missions to serve underserved and displaced communities and is a recipient of numerous humanitarian awards, including the Global Humanitarian Award and the Ambassador for Peace Award.

Professional Background Highlights

Craig Stanley is a  Program Manager at the Essex County Department of Economic Development, Training & Employment. He is a dedicated public servant and educator with a lifelong commitment to improving education, empowering communities, and nurturing young leaders. A former New Jersey Assemblyman representing the 28th Legislative District for 12 years, he chaired the Assembly Education Committee and co-chaired the Joint Committee on Public Schools. He championed legislative initiatives like the Quality Single Accountability Continuum Act (QSAC) and New Jersey's first-in-the-nation school junk-food ban.

Craig has held leadership roles in educational and community organizations, including serving as Director of Consortium Pre-College Education at NJIT and Executive Director of the Community Improvement Association of the Oranges (C.I.A.O.), Inc. He currently administers work-based learning programs and business grants to improve employment opportunities in Essex County.

Professional Background Highlights

Justina Schmacher is a retired professional from the Montclair Public Schools. Justina had a remarkable career spanning several decades, with extensive experience in education, legislative affairs, and community involvement. Her tenure at Montclair Public Schools from 1987 until her retirement in 2024 encompassed human resources responsibilities such as teacher certification, district staff attendance management, negotiations review, and onboarding processes.

Prior to her role in education, Justina served as Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Mildred Barry Garvin in the New Jersey Legislature, where she provided legislative and administrative support from 1980 to 1987. Her career also includes experience as a secretary for East Orange Public Schools and roles in the private sector with Dunn & Bradstreet and AT&T Long Lines.

Professional Background Highlights

Dr. Elaine Sanders is a Director of Workforce Development, Community Food Bank of New Jersey. Elaine is a visionary thought leader with over 20 years of experience in community engagement, education, and organizational development. She excels in building programs through diversified methodologies that emphasize inclusivity, equity, and experiential learning.

At the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Dr. Sanders has transformed the Workforce Development department into a mission-driven educational training program. Under her leadership, the program achieved a 40% increase in student retention and graduation rates and a 95% student employment rate. She oversees a $1.4 million budget, implements DEI strategies, and fosters relationships with donors, government officials, and local employers to maximize program impact.

Her previous roles include serving as Dean and Department Chair of General Education at Pillar College, where she expanded student enrollment by 30%, created satellite campuses, and developed strategic academic initiatives impacting over 200 students annually. Additionally, Dr. Sanders has extensive experience in professional development training, including her role as a Certified Emotional Intelligence Trainer with Teacher’s College, Columbia University, where she designed and delivered impactful workshops for Fortune 500 companies and other organizations.

Professional Background Highlights

Kenneth Bryant is a Financial Advisor, Investment and Insurance Specialist. Kenny has been providing financial workshops and seminars since 1998, helping a diverse range of clients, including small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, churches, and nonprofit organizations. With a degree from Rutgers University and several investment licenses, including series 6, 63, 26, and 65,

Mr. Bryant is well-equipped to offer comprehensive financial guidance. He is licensed to offer life and
health insurance products in 15 states and serves investment clients across all 50 U.S. states.

In addition to his financial advisory work, Mr. Bryant is responsible for supervising and training other financial representatives nationwide, ensuring the delivery of high-quality financial education and services. He is dedicated to helping clients achieve financial independence by offering strategies for insurance protection, debt reduction, and wealth accumulation.

Professional Contributions

• Providing financial workshops and seminars for a wide range of organizations

• Supervising and training financial representatives across the U.S.

• Helping individuals and organizations achieve financial protection, independence, and debt-free status

Certifications and Affiliations

Christopher A. Coke has received several prestigious honors, including being named ASCE NJ YoungEngineer of the Year (2002–2003), earning a Congressional Recognition Award from the NJ 8th District, and receiving the City of Paterson City Council Award for Merit and Service. His technical proficiency includes expertise in AutoCAD, Land Desktop, MicroStation, and GIS, as well as Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). He is also skilled in 3D technologies and publishing software, such as 3D Studio Max, Adobe

Professional Background Highlights

Richard is Director, Community Engagement and External Affairs, New Community Corporation. Richard Cammarieri led community outreach and public policy advocacy efforts at New Community Corporation (NCC), focusing on local issues that affected Newark residents. He developed and executed strategies to raise awareness and foster community action on public policies that directly impacted the quality of life in the area. He also represented NCC at various forums and chaired the NCC Community Organizing Partnership Committee. 

At Newark Fighting Back Partnership, Richard designed and implemented workforce development programs targeting individuals in recovery from substance abuse. His work involved creating strategic linkages between the employment sector, training programs, and treatment providers, helping to open pathways for this underserved population to access employment opportunities and engage in the workforce.

As Executive Director at Newark Coalition for Neighborhoods, Richard directed several key community
development initiatives, including the Neighborhood Training and Assistance Center and the Fair Banking
Project. His leadership in these projects focused on improving financial literacy, fostering economic
development, and empowering local communities through targeted outreach and education.

Professional Background Highlights

Dr. Roxanne Barnes is the  Commissioner of Berkeley Township, Senior Pastor, Founder of New Life Church, and Founder of Unified International Association.  Roxanne is highly motivated and compassionate leader dedicated to supporting communities affected by HIV, substance abuse, and mental health issues. She serves as a County Commissioner for Berkeley Township, NJ, where she contributes to economic development initiatives and serves on various advisory boards. Dr. Barnes is also the founder of the Unified International Association (UIA), an international community-based membership organization with members in 3 countries and 9 states, focused on grassroots sustainable development. In her pastoral role, Dr. Barnes is the Senior Pastor and Founder of New Life Church, where she also serves as a keynote speaker, using "Pentecostal Pedagogy" to bridge education, business, and ministry.

Her extensive experience includes working with the Council for Union Municipal Judges, where she helped implement mandated anger management, substance abuse, and family counseling programs. She
is also a member of the Episcopal African College of Bishops and the Global Council of Bishops, where she participates in seminars and conferences focused on Episcopal training.

Professional Background Highlights

Rochelle D. Evans brings decades of leadership experience in public health and nursing administration. She served as the Health Officer for the Irvington Department of Health, successfully securing $320,000 in grants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, she directed the East Orange Department of Health & Human Services, overseeing 13 divisions and driving legislative compliance, fiscal management, and community health improvements. Her career spans numerous high-level roles, including Vice President of Patient Care Services at multiple medical centers, where she managed large-scale operations and nursing teams.