The Montclair Girl Team - Montclair Girl

by Jennifer Tripucka September 25, 2014

Jennifer Tripucka

View all my stories

Jen is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of both The Montclair Girl and The Hoboken Girl. Before her media career started at Conde Nast and then full-time at HG + MG, she worked as a public school educator in the Bloomfield Public Schools for 5 years. Jen started the sites to discover the amazing things happening in the North Jersey area and to highlight local businesses. When not shopping small or eating her way through North Jersey, she can usually be found walking her two pups, watching Bravo TV, and ordering takeout with her husband, an Essex County native.

Devin Mahon

View all my stories

Originally from Holmdel, NJ, Devin made the amazing decision to put down permanent roots in Northern Jersey after years of renting in NYC. With a professional background in finance and public relations, Devin left the corporate world and opened her own franchise business in 2016. A true lover of all things pop culture, she has been known to binge-watch all of her favorite TV shows over and over. When not working, Devin can be found hiking some local NJ trails with her family and pup, enjoying a meal with her closest friends, devouring a delicious piece of cake at home, or dragging her husband shopping at the local HomeGoods.

Jordan and Joelle

View all my stories

Jordan and Joelle are twins, contributors, and the Volunteer Coordinators of Hoboken Girl — but most of all — true Jersey Girls. The girls moved to Hoboken a few short years after graduating with degrees in Communications from Loyola University. Outside of their 9-5 as senior publishers in NYC, the twins can be found baking cookies (sometimes on TV!), reading the latest books, or walking their Yorkie-Poo, Chica. Like many 20-somethings, Jordan and Joelle are balling on a budget and know how to score the best deals around town.

Amber Veltri

View all my stories

Originally from Hamilton, and now a Hoboken resident, Amber is a true Jersey Girl. She is an Art Director for Broadway Dance Center in NYC, Graphic Designer, Social Media Guru, Photographer, Influencer {@Hoboken_Love), and a mom to her favorite muse, Brooks. When she’s not working you can find her at concerts, visiting restaurants and galleries, drinking coffee, and supporting local businesses.

The Montclair Girl Team

View all my stories

Samantha Impaglia

View all my stories

A recent Montclair State journalism graduate, Samantha loves sharing her view of the world through her writing. With roots in Woodbridge Township, she is a true Jersey Girl. You can find her looking for local coffee shops and places to shop for clothes and new plants. Samantha is an avid hockey fan and experienced in sports media, newspapers, and editing. Aside from her writing, she loves to travel, especially to Disney and beach locales.

Olivia Fisher

View all my stories

Olivia grew up just next door in Verona and used to call Montclair “The Big Apple” as a child because she thought it resembled NYC. She has a B.A. and M.A. from The George Washington University in DC. As a history nerd, she is interested in local history, especially in North Jersey. When she's not writing, you can find Olivia exploring all the food, museums, and spots North Jersey and the DMV have to offer.

Diana Cooper

View all my stories

Originally from South Jersey, Diana has made her way up the turnpike and has found North Jersey to be her permanent fixture these past seven years. Montclair happens to be the perfect place to meet long-distance friends and family, especially with all the various restaurant offerings and adorable boutique shops. Diana writes in her spare time and works as a reporter for a national celebrity magazine. After a long day, what Diana enjoys the most is working out, playing with her kitten Chloe and catching up on the latest Bachelor or Real Housewives episode.

Jordan and Joelle Hernandez

View all my stories

Jordan and Joelle have ties to Montclair starting even before they were born. Both of their parents are graduates of Montclair State University and they knew they would be back at some point in life. Originally hailing from down the shore, they are true Jersey girls at heart. Outside of their 9-5 as marketing professionals in NYC, the twins can be found baking cookies (sometimes on TV!), reading the latest books, or walking their yorkie-poo Chica.

Eva Grall

View all my stories

A Montclair girl born and bred, Eva Grall is a writer, blogger, and artist. When she’s not writing romance novels or short stories, Eva is planning creative projects for her blog and photographing flowers around town. She’s more than halfway through a gardening degree from New York Botanical Garden, loves rainy days reading with her cats, and is learning French at FIAF to earn her citizenship. Follow her adventures on her Instagram page @evagrall.

Samantha Bonizzi

View all my stories

Samantha is a Jersey girl through and through. She grew up in Bergen County, studied Journalism at Rutgers University, and spent her first few post-college years in Hoboken. After a short stint in NYC, she’s now settled right outside of Montclair in Cedar Grove with her husband. Samantha has spent her professional career in public relations and communications, and writing has always been a passion – whether done professionally or as a hobby. When she’s not writing, you can catch her working out or doing yoga, hiking and enjoying the outdoors, traveling, and dining out (especially in the Montclair area!). She loves living in Essex County and is in it for the long haul!

Danielle Farina

View all my stories

Danielle is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied English and philosophy. Originally hailing from Roseland, NJ, spending four years in the midwest confirmed what she already knew to be true: there’s no place like home. Danielle is excited to use her love for writing to explore Jersey’s many local legends, both old and new. When she’s not writing, you can find her listening to Taylor Swift, quoting New Girl, or continuing her hunt for the best iced latte.

Lisa Batitto

View all my stories

Lisa Batitto is a resident of Montclair with roots throughout New Jersey. She is a Reiki master who owns her own wellness company and is co-owner of a branding agency that helps small businesses find their voices. She loves telling the stories of people who make a difference in their community and world. In her spare time, she likes uncovering hidden gems (and then texting everyone about them), drinking bubble tea with extra pearls, and supporting the arts.

Stephanie Spear

View all my stories

Stephanie Spear is a freelance writer who enjoys exploring the North Jersey + NYC area with her husband and dog. Her favorite stories to write are ones that feature creative local business owners, how public policy impacts residents, and topics that explore New Jersey's deep historical roots.

Erica Commisso

View all my stories

Erica calls New Jersey her adopted home, after moving from Toronto, Canada. She completed her graduate degree from NYU's journalism school and now spends her days writing and reading. Her interests include everything from sports to books to fashion, and she falls more and more in love with her new home with each passing day.

Christina Mastroeni

View all my stories

Christina Mastroeni Veloso is born and bred in North Jersey. So much so, that if she's giving you directions, it'll likely be based on the nearest parkway exit. Also, her love for Jersey and Taylor Ham knows no bounds. In addition to writing for The Montclair Girl, Christina is currently a Business Writing Professor at Kean University. Prior to this experience, she held marketing positions for other medium-sized companies/institutions in North Jersey. Christina has experience running her own blog, performing stand-up comedy, and co-hosting a weekly podcast (Two Girls Watch TV) and Youtube Channel (Two Girls Drink Beer). When she's not wearing all these hats, Christina loves a good cup of coffee, enjoys working out, and practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu when she can.

Jennifer Tripucka

View all my stories

Jen is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of both The Montclair Girl and The Hoboken Girl. Before her media career started at Conde Nast and then full-time at HG + MG, she worked as a public school educator in the Bloomfield Public Schools for 5 years. Jen started the sites to discover the amazing things happening in the North Jersey area and to highlight local businesses. When not shopping small or eating her way through North Jersey, she can usually be found walking her two pups, watching Bravo TV, and ordering takeout with her husband, an Essex County native.

Yiwei Gu

View all my stories

Yiwei was born and raised in China. She has lived extensively in Beijing and Hong Kong, before finally settling down in New York. She moved to North Jersey after a few years in Westchester and immediately fell in love with the lively communities. A financial analyst in her previous life, she is now an education consultant, a writing enthusiast, and an avid traveler who strives to think like an economist. When she is not wandering wildly in the streets of Europe, Asia, or Latin America, she can be found trying new dishes in local restaurants.

Francesca DiPisa

View all my stories

Born and raised in Northern New Jersey, Francesca is a true "Jersey girl" at heart. She has loved exploring her home state since her family has always taken trips to new local shops and Italian restaurants all over North Jersey as well as vacations to Wildwood Crest every summer. When she's not eating brunch at Toast with her best friends or visiting her alma mater at Montclair State University, she can be found reading a romance novel, reviewing the latest films on Letterboxd, or performing at open-mics in the area. You can follow her adventures and music-making on her Instagram @francesca.dipisa

Hoboken Girl Team

View all my stories

Cristina Lombardi

View all my stories

Cristina is a Jersey girl through and through. She grew up in Essex County, just a few short miles away from Montclair and currently resides in Northern NJ. She has a degree in Food Marketing from Saint Joes in Philly, and has since been pursuing a career in the world of digital marketing and advertising. Outside of work, she loves traveling, cooking, interior design, photography and staying active. You can find her wandering around Church Street, taking yoga classes or hitting up the local coffee shops and restaurants around Bloomfield Ave.

Sarah Griesbach

View all my stories

Sarah Hermes Griesbach lives in Northern New Jersey. She’s a long-time museum educator and culture writer using her location at a crossroads of ferries, trains, subway, light rail, bike, and walking paths to explore this creative hub. Montclair Girl gives Griesbach an excellent excuse to ask questions and seek answers from the countless creative movers, shakers, and thinkers who populate our vibrant region. She’s ever on the lookout for stories about nature, city-living, and people pushing up toward a better world.

Stephanie Brown

View all my stories

Stephanie recently relocated to Jersey City and immediately felt at home. Since moving, she's been checking out all of the local coffee shops and trivia nights with her husband. Stephanie has a background in nutrition and works as a cooking instructor and freelance writer with a focus on health and lifestyle content. Her ideal Saturday includes a run along the waterfront, doughnuts, a museum visit, and a cocktail to cap it off.

Jodi Cirincione

View all my stories

Jodi is a New Jersey native, and lives in Cedar Grove. She fell in love with the area after living in Montclair and attending graduate school at Montclair State University. Jodi has been a school counselor for fifteen years. In her free time, Jodi loves spending time with her family, including her daughter and lovable yellow lab. Local coffee shops, psychological thrillers, and chicken sandwiches are among her favorite things. As a new mom, Jodi has been enjoying all the parks and activities that Montclair has to offer.

Louise Bylicki

View all my stories

As a freelance writer, Louise covers topics such as health to local happenings to insurance to pets. Though she once called Hoboken home, she has since moved to the Montclair area. Passions include traveling, working out, reading, and finding captivating streaming series. She is also a playwright and screenwriter and has directed theatre and short films. She loves spending time with her family, which includes three fur babies that were all rescued as kittens.

The Hoboken Girl Team

View all my stories

Erin Lanahan

View all my stories

Erin is a North Jersey girl, born in Mendham and now a resident of Jersey City. She’s back in the Garden State after graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a journalism degree. Formerly a news producer, she now works in social media. When she’s not writing, she loves running along the water at Liberty State Park, eating at different restaurants with friends, and checking out local bands performing around the Tri-state area. Three things Erin’s always ready to chat about: where to get the best Taylor Ham, the Yankees, and finding the perfect pint of Guinness.

Carli Clesmere

View all my stories

Carli is an English major graduate who is currently spending her days sculpting the minds of our future in the classroom teaching English Language Arts. She loves exploring and experiencing new concepts all around New Jersey. After realizing how much delight she earned from writing, she decided to put her craft into motion and freelance write lifestyle segments. When she’s not grading your papers, you can often find her on a jog, looking for the finest coffee stands, re-watching New Girl, or delving into local boutiques — a true shopaholic.

Via Rutkowski

View all my stories

After years of bustling through NYC and working in the fashion industry, Via pivoted her career when the pandemic had other plans. From copywriting and social media to PR and TV hosting, Via wore many hats that ultimately helped her identify her passion for storytelling. Now, she gets to admire the NYC skyline from her home in North Jersey where she runs a business of her own. When she’s not writing in a coffee shop or tending to her clients you can find her experimenting with photography and snapping outfit videos outside of some of your favorite local spots.

Editor

View all my stories

Elena Gergis

View all my stories

Elena has lived in North Jersey her whole life. She is a writer and content creator with a focus on food. Elena enjoys sharing the Latin recipes she grew up eating on social media. She also loves music and fashion, playing with her two babies and dropping them off at grandma’s house so she can have romantic date nights with her husband.

Briana Carril

View all my stories

Briana is a New Jersey resident that loves all things local. You can find her having brunch at the latest hotspot, catching the ferry to see a Broadway show, reading fantasy, watching movies, and baking — especially chocolate chip cookies.

Jacqueline Kirby Zonkowski

View all my stories

Jacqueline has been in NJ for a decade, and enjoying all of the opportunities and activities in the area ever since. She is a children's book author and runs a marketing and food company with her husband, and lives in Jersey City with their daughter. Jacqueline loves exploring the Montclair area and takes every advantage she can to dine at Mesob for a little taste of the world.

Sabrina Browne

View all my stories

Sabrina N. Browne is an award-winning PR Executive, women’s advocate, and lifestyle influencer residing in the Mile Square. In 2016, she moved to Hoboken after accepting her position at a global communications agency in Manhattan. By day, she counsels clients in the beauty, finance, and travel sectors. When she’s not in the office, you can find Sabrina brunching or rooftop hopping across Hudson County. The Belgian-West African beauty believes we should all “see, sip and savor more life” and she exudes this mindset in everything that she does. Follow her on Instagram at @TheTasteofS.

Danielle Lynch

View all my stories

Danielle moved back to the Jersey burbs to start a family after being a Hoboken girl for nearly 10 years. She loves the Garden State and enjoys keeping up with all of the happenings and supporting local businesses in her new and old communities. Danielle loves spending time with her boys, trying her hand in the kitchen, and traveling the world.

James Schade

View all my stories

Lydia Maguire

View all my stories

wpengine

View all my stories

This is the "wpengine" admin user that our staff uses to gain access to your admin area to provide support and troubleshooting. It can only be accessed by a button in our secure log that auto generates a password and dumps that password after the staff member has logged in. We have taken extreme measures to ensure that our own user is not going to be misused to harm any of our clients sites.

Amber Veltri

View all my stories

Originally from Hamilton, and now a Hoboken resident, Amber is a true Jersey Girl. She is an Art Director for Broadway Dance Center in NYC, Graphic Designer, Social Media Guru, Photographer, Influencer {@Hoboken_Love), and a mom to her favorite muse, Brooks. When she's not working you can find her at concerts, visiting restaurants and galleries, drinking coffee, and supporting local businesses.

htmlpro

View all my stories

Martin Halo

View all my stories

Martin heads a creative agency developing websites for small businesses and touring musicians based in New York, Nashville, San Francisco and Los Angeles. While not in Hoboken, Martin can be found at a watering hole somewhere on the tiny island of Key West.

Lauren Rivera

View all my stories

Lauren is a Jersey Girl in every way — she's been a North Jersey resident her whole life. She is currently pursing a degree in English and Political Science from Montclair State University. Aside from her journalistic pursuits, Lauren is a fiction author and a photographer. When she’s not writing, you can find her visiting various North Jersey local businesses, scouting through local thrift stores, and reading her book of the month.

Vanessa Baumann

View all my stories

Vanessa is a third generation Montclairian. She and her husband moved back to Montclair from New York to start a family, and they are now enjoying her hometown through a different lens. After owning her own business as a medical esthetician working with top plastic surgeons in New York, she made a transition to a Beauty Editor and now is a freelance writer — covering beauty, skincare and lifestyle. Vanessa is always on the hunt for the newest spa and beauty trends, which she features on her instagram page. In her spare time, you can find her shopping in her favorite vintage stores throughout Northern New Jersey, and discovering eclectic food experiences in Montclair with her husband and their reluctant teenager.

Devin Mahon

View all my stories

Originally from Holmdel, NJ, Devin made the amazing decision to put down permanent roots in Northern Jersey after years of renting in NYC. With a professional background in finance and public relations, Devin left the corporate world and opened her own franchise business in 2016. A true lover of all things pop culture, she has been known to binge-watch all of her favorite TV shows over and over. When not working, Devin can be found hiking some local NJ trails with her family and pup, enjoying a meal with her closest friends, devouring a delicious piece of cake at home, or dragging her husband shopping at the local HomeGoods.

Liam Abbott

View all my stories

Originally hailing from Toronto, Canada, Liam relocated to the Mile Square after graduating from university in California, Liam loves telling stories that help entertain and educate people at the same time, whether that is in the form of written pieces, on social media, or in film. He is always up to finding and trying something new in Northern New Jersey and beyond, whether it’s a new restaurant, activity, attraction, or place to visit.