Impact100 Essex DEI Action Committee proudly presents: a panel of 4 Nonprofit leaders from Essex County representing the fields of women's health, housing, the arts, and community-based/neighborhood supports/work. Before we start our Grants cycle, let's hear from the voices of these change agents and the work they are leading "on the ground" to fight inequity. Learn about barriers and challenges they face, as well as their stories of successes/accomplishments.

A guided breakout/discussion will follow the panel.

Panel Participants:

Lauren Meehan, Director of Arts Ed Newark, an alliance of 80+ arts education stakeholders, has years of experience and a deep knowledge base and love of Newark. As Program Associate at Victoria Foundation for the five years prior, her focus was on arts education and youth development. She has been an active participant in the arts, education and philanthropic communities since, having served in the past as the co-chair of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers Emerging Leaders Affinity group. She is currently on the Newark Museum Education Committee and the NJPAC Arts Education Advisory Committee. She is 2014 alumni of the Leadership Newark Fellowship Program and a member of the board of the Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee. A former youth violinist, she recognizes the need for early and engaging arts education opportunities for young people. She holds an A.B. in Art & Archaeology from Princeton University, where she works with the FLI Program for low-income, first-generation undergraduate students. and an M.A. in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University.

Liliana Pinete , Chief Operating Officer for the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, is responsible for leading all Partnership’s programs and integrating innovative new initiatives for at-risk families in northern New Jersey. She is a public health physician and maternal and child health advocate with over 25 years of experience supporting the health and wellbeing of underserved children and families in the United States and internationally. The Partnership’s mission is to improve the health of women, children, and families by providing extensive community outreach, advocacy, and educational programs for professionals and consumers. Liliana received her medical Degree in Romania and worked as a pediatrician at a Children’s Orphanage where she established a pediatric clinic, ensured medical care for children age 3-17, conducted and published research studies on attachment disorders of institutionalized children. In addition to her Medical Degree, Liliana holds a Master of Public Health from University of Minnesota and a certificate in Non-for-Profit Management from Columbia University School of Business.

Carrie Puglisi, Director of Program & Fund Development, at La Casa de Don Pedro is a community development professional who is passionate about understanding and addressing the multi-dimensional causes and symptoms of urban poverty and inequality. For two years prior to this role, she was La Casa’s real estate development manager, overseeing the development of key affordable housing projects including Dr. Martin Luther King Homes, Jr. and the agency’s move to housing counseling, foreclosure prevention counseling, and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program at the onset of the housing crisis. Most recently, Carrie has helped steer the agency’s shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic to address emerging needs by securing funding and partnerships to address food and housing insecurity. During her decade long service, she has contributed to the agency’s programmatic growth in after school enrichment, community health & wellness, lead remediation, and built a comprehensive communication strategy with a dynamic social media and special events approach to marketing. Carrie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from Wheaton College, MA, summa cum laude, and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is a member of Maplewood, New Jersey’s Affordable Housing Board.

Dani Rosen serves as the Director of Operations for Community Asset Preservation Corporation (CAPC). In this role, she oversees the day-to-day activities of the organization including grant and subsidy contracts, property disposition, organizational growth and data management. Dani joined CAPC as a Fellow in February 2013, serving in various roles including Community Outreach & Development Manager and Homeownership Manager. In these roles, she also managed the development and execution of CAPC’s marketing and communications as well as the sale of all single-family properties. Prior to joining CAPC, Dani served as a Development Associate through the AmeriCorps VISTA program. She was placed at Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates, a nonprofit organization that trains community volunteers to act as legal advocates for children in foster care. Dani holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Public Policy from Boston College and a master’s degree in Urban Planning from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.

On The Ground: Nonprofit Voices of Essex County