Jennifer Tripucka
Jen is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Local Girl Media Group. 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.
Joelle Hernandez
Joelle Hernandez is the Director of Marketing at The Local Girl Media and a 2014 honors graduate of Loyola University Maryland, where she earned a B.A. in Journalism and Advertising. Her connection to the Montclair area runs deep—both of her parents and three uncles are proud Montclair State University alumni. Joelle is passionate about sharing the stories of and supporting small businesses. In her spare time, Joelle loves baking, exploring new restaurants, and checking out different fitness classes.
Jordan Hernandez
Jordan Hernandez is a contributor to all brands under The Local Girl Media. Her love for writing and covering small businesses started upon her graduation from Loyola University Maryland where she earned a B.A. in Journalism and Advertising. Her connection to Montclair started before she was even born as both of her parents and three uncles are graduates of Montclair State University. In her spare time, Jordan loves baking, trying new restaurants, and checking out different fitness classes.
Amber Veltri
Amber is a true Jersey Girl. She is an Art Director for Broadway Dance Center in NYC, Graphic Designer, Social Media Guru, Photographer, Content Creator, 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.
Samantha Impaglia
Samantha is a Montclair State graduate, where she studied television, digital media, + sports journalism. She loves sharing her view of the world through her writing, and has covered everything from professional ice hockey and volleyball to travel destinations and new restaurants. With roots in Central Jersey and currently residing in North Jersey, she is a true NJ lover. You can find her searching for local coffee shops, places to shop for clothes and new plants, watching hockey, or planning her next Disney World trip.
Olivia Fisher
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.
Samantha Bonizzi
Samantha is a Jersey girl through and through. She studied Journalism at Rutgers University, and 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.
Lauren Rivera
Lauren is a Jersey Girl in every way — she's been a North Jersey resident her whole life. She studied English and Political Science at 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.
Christina Mastroeni
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.
Eva Grall
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.
Danielle Farina
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.
Stephanie Spear
Stephanie Spear is the Deputy Editor for The Local Girl Media Group. She is a born-and-raised Beltway insider, and life brought her to New Jersey. She started working with the team as a freelance copy editor, started writing more, and learned that New Jersey does, in fact, have the best pizza and bagels in all the land. Stephanie has a background in public policy, working for nearly 20 years in and around the federal government and is a licensed attorney. She has an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Richmond and a juris doctorate from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Vanessa Baumann
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.
Via Rutkowski
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.
Lydia Maguire
Originally from Texas, Lydia realized there was no where in the world she’d rather be than Montclair, New Jersey after living all around the world. Known for her love of Shakespeare, music, and (really) good food, Lydia loves to keep her readers informed about whats new around town, what not to miss, and of course, the local favorites of Montclair. When not writing at a cafe or performing on stage, Lydia can be found buying too many cookies at Jayce Baudry, heading to Juniper Yoga, or walking with friends around any one of Montclair’s beautiful parks.
Sarah Griesbach
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. The 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.
Ava Agostinelli
A Montclair native, Ava knows the town like the back of her hand. She studied Communications, Law, Economics, + Government at American University in Washington, DC. She has extensive journalism experience in both politics and lifestyle. In addition to her academic career, Ava is a professional ballet dancer with Moveius Contemporary Ballet and works as studio assistant at The Washington Ballet. When she’s not working or dancing, Ava enjoys cooking and baking her Italian family’s recipes, and staying up to date with all the new eateries popping up in Montclair.