Board
The CNJG board is comprised of 20 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.
Photo taken after CNJG Annual Meeting on December 14, 2022
Front Row: Justin Kiczek, Christine Healey, Atiya Weiss, Theresa Jacks, Melissa Litwin, Marcy Felsenfeld, Maria Spina
Back Row: Jeffrey Vega, Paul Stierhoff, Margarethe Laurenzi, Marianna Schaffer, Priti Mehta, Lucy Vandenberg, Maisha Simmons, René Deida, Andy Fraizer, Craig Drinkard, Jeremy Grunin
Not Pictured: Kate Barrett, Patricia Hartpence, Kortney Swanson Davis, Catherine Wilson
CNJG Board Members
CNJG Board of Trustees Portal
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Jeffrey Vega, Chair, Princeton Area Community Foundation
Craig Drinkard, 1st Vice Chair, Victoria Foundation
Christine Healey, 2nd Vice Chair, The Healey Education Foundation, Inc.
Maisha Simmons, Secretary, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Catherine Wilson, Treasurer, United Way of Greater Newark
Kate Barrett, Campbell Soup Foundation
Kortney Swanson Davis, Forman S. Acton Educational Foundation
René Deida, The Prudential Foundation
Marcy Felsenfeld, Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey
Andy Fraizer, Community Foundation of South Jersey
Jeremy Grunin, Grunin Foundation
Patricia Hartpence, NJM Insurance Group
Justin Kiczek, F. M. Kirby Foundation
Margarethe Laurenzi, Maher Charitable Foundation
Melissa Litwin, The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation
Priti Mehta, Investors Foundation
Marianna Schaffer, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
Maria Spina, PSEG Foundation
Paul Stierhoff, The Henry S. and Agnes M. Truzack Foundation
Lucy Vandenberg, The Schumann Fund for New Jersey
Atiya Weiss, The Burke Foundation
Theresa Jacks, President & CEO, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers – ex officio
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 Committee
The Governance Committee acts as a nominating committee for vacant board seats and board officers, develops a board slate each year, recommends by-law changes, develops board membership criteria on an annual basis, and undertakes any other board governance-related issues.
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.