Board
The CNJG board is comprised of 21 leaders who come from CNJG member organizations and are elected by the CNJG membership. Each board member provides guidance and leadership to CNJG by serving up to two 3-year terms.
Back Row: William V. Engel, Board Chair; Jonathan Pearson; Ari Kramer; Diane Hagerman; Paul Stierhoff; Maria Vizcarrondo,President & CEO (ex-officio); Jeffrey Vega, Vice Chair; Melissa Litwin; Kim Boller; Andy Fraizer; Craig Drinkard
Front Row: Jeremy Grunin; Michael Unger, Treasurer; Patricia Hartpence; Marion O’Neill; René Deida; Lucy Vandenberg
Not pictured: Christine Healey; Jane Kurek; Deborah Smith; Annette Strickland, Secretary; Atiya Weiss
CNJG Board Members
William V. Engel, Chair, The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Jeffrey Vega, 1st Vice Chair, Princeton Area Community Foundation
Annette Strickland, Secretary, Schumann Fund for New Jersey
Michael Unger, Treasurer, The Atlantic Foundation
Kimberly Boller, The Nicholson Foundation
René Déida, The Prudential Foundation
Craig Drinkard, Victoria Foundation
Andy Fraizer, Community Foundation of South Jersey
Jeremy Grunin, Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation
Diane Hagerman, New Jersey Health Initiatives
Patricia Hartpence, NJM Insurance Group
Christine Healey, The Healey Education Foundation, Inc.
Ari Kramer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Jane Kurek, The Provident Bank Foundation
Melissa Litwin, The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation
Marion O’Neill, PSEG Foundation
Jonathan Pearson, Horizon BCBSNJ
Deborah Smith, Wells Fargo Foundation
Paul Stierhoff, The Henry S. and Agnes M. Truzack Foundation
Lucy Vandenberg, The Fund for New Jersey
Atiya Weiss, The Burke Foundation
Maria Vizcarrondo, President and CEO, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
Board Committees
Membership in the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers offers grantmakers the opportunity to deepen their experience with the organization by serving on a Board committee. Committee members lead, recommend and develop policies that help us shape our organization. The commitment level for each committee varies, and includes an expectation that members will participate in regularly scheduled meetings and/or conference calls, as well as be willing to participate in independent projects as they arise. Members usually join those committees best suited to their professional strengths.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee assists the Board of Trustees in overseeing the selection and performance of the Council’s independent auditors, the quality and integrity of the Council’s financial reporting, its fiscal controls and tax and regulatory compliance and compliance with its code of conduct. An audit or finance background/experience is most desirable for members of this Committee.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee assists the Board of Trustees with all financial policies and strategies, including but not limited to: consultation and review of the annual budget(s), reviewing and monitoring financial reporting, approving and monitoring investments and approving significant financial policies. A background in finance and financial operations is most desirable for members of this Committee.
Governance & Strategic Direction Committee
The Governance/Strategic Direction Committee serves a dual purpose, its members guide the annual process of selecting a slate of candidates for the Board of Directors and they participate in planning work to further the Council’s mission, vision and strategic direction. This Committee also proposes which Board members will become officers including Chairman, two Vice Chairmen, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Member Engagement Committee
The Member Engagement Committee works with the staff to recruit and retain members. Committee members assist in identifying new prospects, setting up and participating in introductory meetings, and keeping prospective members informed of upcoming CNJG programs. It also collaborates with staff members to develop the structure and strategy of both membership recruitment and retention activities.
Program Committee
The Program Committee helps plan and evaluate CNJG's Signature Events including the Annual Meeting & Holiday Luncheon, Spring Colloquium or Spring Conference, and Investment Forum. Its members also assist with other (non Affinity Group) meetings throughout the year such as Funder Briefings and special opportunities.
Public Policy & Leadership Committee
Our Policy & Leadership Committee advises the Council on public policy matters as appropriate and develops recommendations on specific legislation or proposed regulatory activity.
