Elinor Cohen helps heart-centered entrepreneurs break down their thoughts into small digestible steps so that they can start taking action towards their goal–according to their own ‘rule’ book–by eliminating the ‘shoulds’ and without feeling overwhelmed.
Find out about her mission at: justmecompany.com
Elinor is an Intuitive Life & Business Strategist who helps non-traditional thinkers and non-conformists infuse their uniqueness into their life and business and take the smallest action steps to embody their version of success. She is a spiritual mama, a yogi, an entrepreneur and a runner. In her spare time she collects recipes and cooks her own versions of them, acts as an activist on behalf of women who don’t see the possibility of leading a happy life, always deepening her spiritual practices and is constantly looking to build connections with other inspirational, resourceful humans.
Practically raised in her grandfather’s ice cream store in Jersey City NJ, Renee Faris was hooked on sugar confections at a very young age. Growing up as a first generation American, Renee was fortunate enough to be exposed to the passion that went into baking and the love that was put into creating food at a young age from a variety of family members. As intrigued with the art of cooking as she was, she still decided to further her academic studies in English Literature and Writing. After completing her BA, Renee knew it was time to take baking more seriously. It became clear her favorite hobby would become her life’s profession. She began her career baking at Carlos Bakery in Hoboken, NJ and enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC. While working at Carlos under Buddy Valastro and appearing on ‘Cake Boss’ seasons 1 and 2, Renee also took an internship at ‘Anthos’ restaurant in NYC.
Between her bakery training and restaurant training, Renee was soon ready to take on the West Coast. After spending a couple years in LA employed by The Glendon Bar and Kitchen, Fig and Olive Melrose Place and The Tasting Kitchen, Renee decided to head back East. Gramercy Tavern is where she decided to make her next home. It was working for Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality group that inspired her and surrounded her with amazing chefs that had so much respect for cooking, each other, and hospitality. After Gramercy Tavern, Renee went on to open Maysville NYC as the Pastry Chef. After Maysville, she took on catering for USHG, Union Square Events. Erie Coffeeshop and Bakery was a lifelong dream for Renee, and is now becoming a reality.
Allison Friedman is a digital communications specialist; actively immersed in social media since 2004, with over 7 years’ professional experience in multi-media marketing and communications. Working in the private and non-profit sector, Allison has developed the skills she uses in her current position of Communications Associate at YWCA Bergen County.
Allison develops and implements marketing strategies in Web Design, Search Engine Optimization, Online Marketing Campaigns, Social Media Marketing and Public Relations. Allison strives to stay current on new technologies, trends and applications to drive visibility and promotion of YWCA initiatives. In 2015, she was awarded recognition for her dedication at the YWCA Bergen County Annual Meeting.
Allison also consults in the area of digital marketing as Managing Partner of Village Marketing Co. and is chairperson of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce’s Ridgewood Young Professionals Exchange; connecting local young professionals through monthly meetings and quarterly social events.
Allison holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts Degree from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School for the Arts with a concentration in painting and drawing.
With nearly a decade of publishing experience under her belt, Stephanie quit her full-time job in 2014 to launch Chocolate Chip Print Media Co.
For eight years, she worked at Professional Sports Publications in New York City, and loved every second of it. She worked her way up from freelance copy editor to senior editor, ultimately managing a nine-person design staff and juggling more books than she could possibly count. During her time at PSP, she had the opportunity to utilize her writing, editing and design expertise every single day, and took full advantage – honing and sharpening her skills until she was ready to go out on her own.
Before all that, Stephanie graduated cum laude and with honors from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in Magazine.
Her greatest accomplishment, however, is her family. Together with her husband Mike, they are raising a son and two cats in their home in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey.
As a little girl, Andrea Lurski looked up to her kind and strong elementary school teachers. She quietly dreamed of following in their footsteps. Throughout the rest of her schooling, Andrea toyed with the idea of becoming other things: a lawyer, or perhaps an architect. However, she chose to completely dedicate herself to teaching, and graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2015 with a dual degree in Elementary Education and English. Andrea is now starting her second year of teaching at the Anna L. Klein School in Guttenberg, NJ. She teaches 6th Grade Writing and loves coming up with creative writing prompts and helping her students find their writing voices.
When Andrea is not in the classroom, she enjoys reading, swimming, and hiking. She is also an avid runner and recently completed her first half-marathon.
At 24 years old, Alexa Marques has had a short but successful career. She is the Executive Director of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and reclamation of the Teaneck Creek Watershed.
Alexa has created curriculum, leading classrooms as an environmental educator, and mentoring high school students. During her undergraduate studies, she worked to develop the first avian species list for the Paterson Great Fall National Historical Park and lead a team of 24 consultants in an environmental justice related environmental impact statement.
Alexa is currently pursuing her certification in non-profit management from Molloy College, as well as two master’s degrees in Sustainability Science and Environmental Studies, Environmental Management Track from Montclair State University.
Shaunna is the Foundation Associate of The Provident Bank Foundation located in Morristown, NJ. Shaunna’s professional career in the non-profit sector spans more than six years and she has a strong passion for community engagement and volunteering. As the foundation associate, she supports the management of the Foundation’s grant program and initiatives. She works directly with the executive director to assist in the implementation of goals, operations and activities of the Foundation on a day-to-day basis.
She has her Bachelors in Communication Studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Rutgers’s University, School of Public Affairs and Administration.
To date, her biggest personal accomplishment was fundraising over $6,500 for Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research/ The Michael J. Fox Foundation by hiking 50 miles at Mohonk Preserves 2016 Rock the Ridge Endurance Challenge in April.
Shaunna lives in Blairstown with her husband and during her free time she enjoys hiking, camping, photography, traveling and spending time with her family.
Peggy W. Norris is a retired reference librarian, with a specialty in local history and genealogy. In retirement she volunteers at the library and with historical and genealogical organizations. She is writing a biography of William Lewis Bulkley, 1861-1933, the first African American principal of a predominately white school in New York City and a founder of the National Urban League and the NAACP. She has a BA degree from the College of Wooster and two master’s degrees from Rutgers University.
Christina Novicki is a registered Architect at HLW International in NYC and is currently managing a large commons space within a larger office fit-out project under construction at a high profile technology company’s NYC campus. Her previous work includes new construction boutique hotels, a New York public school addition, and various high end residential projects.
Wanting to be an architect since she was 9 years old and wanting to go to Duke University since she was 7, Christina created her own major in architectural studies at Duke, which does not have an architecture program, and subsequently received her Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis.
Currently, she lives in Bloomfield, New Jersey, with her husband, dog, and two cats.
Ms. Lynette Pinckney, who hails from Jamaica, NY, is an entrepreneur, educator, speaker, youth and empowerment advocate with over 20 years of experience in the classroom, marketplace and atmospheres of service. Since 2010, she has been an accomplished member of Mary Kay, Inc., whose corporate mission is to “enrich women’s lives” through powerhouse skin care, trendsetting cosmetics and its life-changing career opportunity and coupled the humanitarian efforts of the Mary Kay Foundation.
Ms. Pinckney is a product of Brooklyn Technical High School and Phillips Exeter Academy. She utilizes keen listening skills, critical thinking and impassioned communication to challenge her clients, students and business associates to employ creative, out of the box problem solving strategies. Her consulting firm, Efficacy, Inc., offers a perspective and directives that yield “Inspired, Innovative Interventions (I³)”.
Ms. Pinckney holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Hofstra University. As a lifelong learner, she has obtained numerous certifications from various organizations including: I Can Institute, Mary Kay, Inc; National Retail Federation, and the YMCA of the USA. Embracing the belief that purpose is revealed where gifting and human need intersect, Ms. Pinckney serves on the Community Coalition for Student Success at Bergen Community College, as Minister-In-Training at Rhema Worship Center International of Saddle Brook, NJ, and as Instructor and Program Development Consultant at the High School Equivalency Program at Hackensack High School in Hackensack, NJ.
Impacting and encouraging others to reach for their dreams has always been Ms. Pinckney’s objective. Among her many interests, she enjoys, cooking, gardening, various forms of aesthetic design and the art of conversation. Ms. Pinckney is a mother of three highly gifted children, and currently resides in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Gina M. Plotino is the founder and president of GMP Consulting, Inc., a consulting firm formed in 2000 to support government and non-profit initiatives. Her portfolio of services includes organizational development, fundraising, and training.
In addition to her private practice, Gina is VP of Programs and Operations for Bergen County’s United Way. She leverages her extensive experience in the public sector to advance the United Way’s goals and secure much-needed grants for such diverse programs as affordable housing, homelessness and military families.
Throughout her career, Gina has made significant contributions in the health and human services arena. Serving as director of the Bergen County Department of Human Services, Gina led a 300-member department and managed a $22 million budget which funded programs for senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, children and adolescents, and veterans. Her appointment was the culmination of an outstanding 10 year record of accomplishments as the director of Alternatives to Domestic Violence.
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Gina also studied at the Midwest academy in Chicago while serving as a VISTA volunteer for Citizens Action Coalition and 9to5, National Association of Working Women. She is a founding member of Women United in Philanthropy, New Jersey’s first women’s given circle; serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Non-Profits in New Jersey and the NJ 211 Partnership; and is an adjunct professor for the Masters in Administrative Science program at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Samantha Plotino joined the YWCA Bergen County team in July 2014. She is responsible for coordinating mission-based programming focused on women’s empowerment, youth leadership development, and racial justice and civil rights.
Samantha is an alumna of AmeriCorps, having served for two years in communications and development for a non-profit organization that provides programming for children and young adults with developmental disabilities.
Samantha earned her Master’s degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and her Bachelor’s degree from the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia. Samantha has also obtained executive certificates in Non-Profit Executive Leadership, Non-Profit Essentials, and Strategic Frameworks for Nonprofit Organizations from Rutgers University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and the Harvard Kennedy School, respectively.
Maria Rini has been a realtor since 1994. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and later attended the Realtor Institute. She is a licensed real estate broker in the State of New Jersey, and is a Certified Residential Specialist; Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist; Certified Distressed Property Expert; Accredited Staging Professional; and Certified DRS Agent, specializing in real estate for physicians.
Previously, Maria was the Director of the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, Chair of the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service Technical committee, Chair of the RealSource Board of Realtors MLS Users Committee, and member of the Metro Realtor Group.
Maria is married to her business partner, Richard Gneiding, and currently resides in Oradell. She is actively involved in the community, as a member of multiple organizations including the South Bergen Rotary Club and Women United in Philanthropy. She is also a member of the Million Dollar Guild of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, Greater New Jersey Estate Planning Council, Real Estate Staging Association, New Jersey Association of Realtors Distinguished Sales Club, and the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, and is the recipient of the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award.
Anna Sandbank, LCSW is an integrative health and wellness coach with expertise that also includes over fifteen years as a licensed clinical social worker. She decided to become a health coach to fulfill her passion for serving others as they reach their highest potential and as a way to “be the change”. Health and wellness from a holistic, integrative perspective looks beyond our physical selves and beyond our biology to “whole-person-centered wellbeing,”and on the inter-relatedness of mind, body, spirit, and emotions.
Anna received her health coach training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Anna combines her knowledge in health coaching, emotional wellbeing, preventive wellness, mindfulness and holistic nutrition. Areas of particular focus include stress management, nutrition and diet, physical activity, personal relationships, workplace wellness, spirituality, self-care and work-life balance. She is the owner and founder of Well Within Coaching, and is an Integrative Practitioner in Specialty Programs at the Chambers Center for Well Being.
Anna offers individual and group coaching to support clients in living their healthiest life and reaching their goals and dreams. In addition to her work with clients, Anna leads creative, dynamic workshops in healthy living, often collaborating with other practitioners in the community, believing in the power of partnership. She has presented at the Chambers Center for Well Being, Vista Natural Wellness Center, Children’s Aid and Family Services, Live Free Yoga Studio, Pleasantville Community Synagogue, and the Bergen County Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council. Anna also enjoys providing clinical supervision, training and professional development for social service and mental health professionals.
Angelae Wilkerson has been a tireless activist and volunteer in Teaneck and in New Jersey for many years. She has worked on behalf of and advocated for her children, her community, and numerous nonprofit organizations. Her love for her kids, family and community is unquestionable, and her dedication to helping those in need serves as an inspiration to everyone she works with.
In Teaneck, Angelae’s list of volunteer activities is long and distinguished. She is a life member of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, serving as President, Vice-President, and Treasurer, while also working on the Social, Probationary Member Training, and Recruitment Committees. She has been rewarded for her dedication to the corps with commendations and awards. Angelae served as coordinator for Teaneck Unity Day— a community-wide event the celebrates and embraces Teaneck’s vibrant diversity; volunteered with the Teaneck Helping Hands Food Pantry; and co-chaired Teaneck High School Project Graduation, serving as a chaperone even though her children were not part of all the graduating classes. Angelae has received two Teaneck Chamber of Commerce Awards, the Matthew Feldman Award in recognition of her tireless dedication to community service in her hometown. Due to health issues, it prevented her attending the initial ceremony, leading a friend and committee member to state, “You know Angelae must be special because she’s the only person it takes two meetings to celebrate!” Ms. Wilkerson’s efforts are not limited to Teaneck’s organizations, however. When a friend mentioned that a little boy needed a special bed due to his medical challenges, she sprang into action, organizing a drive to raise money for the purchase of a bed with the generous support of friends and the Giants of Generosity, another wonderful nonprofit organization she supports.
On the county level, She has volunteered at the Center of Hope & Safety, formerly known as Shelter Our Sisters, a residence for battered women and their children, and the Joan’s Joy Foundation, an organization founded in memory of Joan D’Alessandro that supports child safety efforts. She has dedicated many hours to the encourage Kids Foundation, where she received the Volunteer Spirit Award, Volunteer of the Month and Volunteer of the Year, for her efforts in chairing fundraising committees and organizing volunteers to provide Great Escape Events for pediatric patients and their families. She also works per diem as a Confidential Sexual Violence Advocate supervisor at Bergen County’s YWCA healingSPACE, a sexual violence resource center.
On the state level, Angelae spearheaded the movement to bring Denim Day to New Jersey. Denim Day is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness and urging citizens to take a stand against sexual violence. She worked tirelessly for 18 months with the Assembly and Senate to make sure the initiative was passed and signed by the Governor. One of her proudest moments was speaking on the Superior Court House steps and the State House steps on the inaugural Denim Day in New Jersey. As past president of the board of trustees at the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, she continues to work with survivors of sexual violence as a confidential sexual violence advocate. She also supports efforts to prevent sexual violence and help family survivors through her work with the Ryan United Foundation and the Kelsey Smith Foundation, both of which are named in memory of abducted and murdered children. Her dream job is to one day work for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Angelae is a loving mother of three wonderful children, by far her greatest accomplishments. Her daughter Samantha graduated with honors from university and has been the project coordinator for a nonprofit private school in Central America for the last few years since graduating. She also served as interim principal and is a natural with the kids. Victoria graduated from high school and is on her college experience, majoring in Public Relations and minor in Communications. She is working for a NY PR Firm and has left her special mark on NY Fashion week, with more to come. Victoria has served as a mentor and volunteered for numerous non profits. Nicholas, her heart’s joy, is in high school and looking forward excitedly to the beginning of his college years and next journey. Nicholas has been a volunteer since he can remember for the food pantry, church, youth group as well as spearheading valentines for veterans/smiles for soldiers with his mom.
Her commitment to raising socially-conscious and caring children, and her willingness to provide assistance to those in need of support is commendable. When asked what she hoped her legacy would be, Angelae responded “I want to inspire people, I want someone to look at me and say, ‘because of you, I didn’t give up’.”
“Be kind always, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
