The Montclair Girl Team
Jennifer Tripucka
View all my storiesJen 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 storiesOriginally 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 storiesJordan 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.
Samantha Impaglia
View all my storiesA 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.
Victoria Marie Moyeno
View all my storiesVictoria is MG's Associate Editor and Social Media Coordinator for the Hoboken Historical Museum + Fire Department Museum. She is also an Executive Board Member of LUPE Fund – a nonprofit by Latinas for Latinas in NJ. Victoria is a fourth-generation Hoboken native, BNR in the Mile Square, and Jersey City. Through playing softball in town for fourteen years, playing the trumpet for the Hoboken High School Redwings Band, and graduating from New Jersey City University, these two cities have a special place in her heart. When she isn’t Style Assisting or volunteering at Symposia Bookstore, she’s exploring everything the Concrete Jungle has to offer. You can catch her at art exhibitions, trying new restaurants, traveling, diving into a new book, thrifting, or indulging in some form of arts and crafts.
Ainsley Layland
View all my storiesWith two little ones at home, this North Carolina native has worked remotely for the past five years as a freelance writer. Ainsley moved to New Jersey in 2016 and fell in love with the Garden State. She is always on the lookout for what’s going on in the greater New York area, from new restaurants and businesses opening to can’t-miss events highlighting local culture. Outside of writing and being a mother, Ainsley loves to dive into a good book, practice speaking French, and dream up new ways to decorate her apartment.
Diana Cooper
View all my storiesOriginally 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.
Eva Grall
View all my storiesA 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.
Kristina Helfer
View all my storiesKristina is a real estate agent servicing Northern NJ and living right next door in Cedar Grove. In her free time, she is involved in the rescue dog community, volunteering as the Adoption/Foster Coordinator for Wise Animal Rescue. Kristina also spends time exploring businesses in Essex County and is dedicated to helping newbies to the area find their new homes, new favorite spots, and new rescue pups!
Jordan and Joelle Hernandez
View all my storiesJordan 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 in Hazlet, NJ, they are true Jersey girls at heart. Outside of their 9-5 as senior publishers in NYC, the twins can be found baking cookies, 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!
Olivia Fisher
View all my storiesOlivia 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 is currently majoring in Anthropology at The George Washington University in DC. As a taphophile or cemetery enthusiast, she is a big history nerd and especially interested in local history. When she's not studying, you can find her swimming, walking, making jewelry, or getting brunch at her favorite spot.
Lisa Batitto
View all my storiesLisa 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.
Erica Commisso
View all my storiesErica 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.
Stephanie Spear
View all my storiesStephanie Spear is a recent NJ transplant and enjoys exploring all there is to see and do. Within the area, she likes to check out local parks, historical sites, and gardens along with her husband and dog. And of course, sampling all of the best pizza NJ has to offer. She and her husband are from Washington DC and both work for the federal government. Stephanie loves to travel, ski, paddleboard, and spend time with her eight nieces and nephews.
Olivia Rizzo
View all my storiesOlivia is a Cedar Grove native who has spent many years enjoying everything Montclair offers. Olivia received her degree in Journalism and Professional Writing from The College of New Jersey in 2017. She loves writing about people who are pursuing their passions. When she is not writing, Olivia enjoys curling up with a good book, running and hiking on the Essex County trails, going out to brunch on the weekends, and searching for the best slice of pizza in the state.
Sarah Boyle
View all my storiesSarah grew up in Northern NJ and has proudly carried the “Jersey Girl” legacy throughout her national and international travels. She has fond childhood memories of frequenting Montclair with her grandfather who hailed from Clifton and loved a good shrimp scampi. After attending Emory University in Atlanta and studying abroad in Sydney, Sarah felt the tristate area calling her home and boomeranged right back. Sarah has always had a passion for writing and editing. She’s both written and edited for Tapinto, The Jane Goodall Institute, Langtons International Agency, and The Lullwater Review. Most recently, Sarah taught creative writing at Writopia Lab, an educational non-profit for kids and teens, where she was also the Editor-in-Chief of their two literary magazines. For fun, Sarah can be found searching for the most delicious meals, petting the cutest dogs, traveling (both locally in NJ and abroad), or playing around with music composition.
Danielle Farina
View all my storiesDanielle 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.
Morgan Rupinski
View all my storiesMorgan is a born and raised Montclair girl and is passionate about this slice of heaven she calls home. Morgan has a background in media production and currently works in marketing full-time. She has an immense enthusiasm for her hometown and loves to share that through her writing. When she’s not busy producing content or developing strategies, you can find her listening to true crime podcasts, checking out local restaurants, spending time down the shore, or catching a flight!
Taylor Duncan
View all my storiesTaylor is an {overly} proud, born and raised Jersey girl. Originally from a small town in Hunterdon County, Taylor received her degree in multimedia journalism from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She also spent some time in Miami, but always knew she’d find her way back to the Garden State. Taylor has a career in sports, digital, and social media strategy in the NJ/NYC area. A lover of all things New Jersey, exploring the state is Taylor’s passion {that, and watching Real Housewives reruns}. A local favorite of hers is the Corner in Montclair.
Jean Lee
View all my storiesJean is a born and raised Jersey girl, currently calling Jersey City home. After leaving for school in Washington D.C. and a quick stint in Manhattan as a news producer, she just wanted to get back to her NJ roots across the river. As a new dog mom, Jean loves exploring new parks or discovering new towns City with her pup Kona and is always on the hunt for the latest restaurant opening or the hottest new business. When she’s not meandering the streets, you can find her grilling on her roof, sipping rose, and looking out over that beautiful skyline. Follow her on Instagram at @jeanthequeeen to stay up to date on her latest adventures.
Jennifer Tripucka
View all my storiesJen 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.
Samantha Bonizzi
View all my storiesSamantha 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!
Yiwei Gu
View all my storiesYiwei 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.
Lauren Wilson-Policke
View all my storiesLauren Wilson-Policke was born and raised in Bergen County and made her way to Montclair in 2016. After years of working for fashion brands in NYC she decided to launch her own PR and Social Media company, LWP Public Relations in Montclair in 2017. When she’s not managing her robust roster of fashion and lifestyle clients, you can find her enjoying the local restaurant scene, supporting small businesses, searching for live music and happy hour and when the temperatures hit above 70°, you can catch her on the GSP heading down the shore.
Campbell Loeber
View all my storiesBorn and raised in Morris County, Campbell is a Jersey Girl through and through. Montclair has held a special place in her heart since she was first introduced to the township by good friends who lived there. When not at work in NYC, Campbell can be found sampling tacos at Tacoria, researching local real estate listings, and visiting friends.
Cristina Lombardi
View all my storiesCristina 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.
Gabrielle Buscema
View all my storiesGabrielle has been a publicist and event planner in the fashion industry and even a consultant at Kleinfeld Bridal – she loves everything weddings! When she isn’t working or scouring Zola to plan her own wedding, Gabi can be found enjoying an espresso martini or heading to a trampoline class at Jane Do.
Sydney Topf
View all my storiesIn an era of tweets and short-form thoughts, Sydney Topf still believes in the power of traditional journalism for giving the public accurate information so they can make informed decisions to improve their lives. As a Montclair native, Sydney is familiar with Montclair traditions and culture. Growing up in Montclair, she learned the importance of storytelling and journalism from teachers, friends, and neighbors. She graduated from Montclair High School in 2021 and is a sophomore at Boston University studying journalism with a minor in political science. When she’s home in Essex County, she is trying new restaurants in the North Jersey area, hanging out with childhood friends, and immersing herself in the Montclair community. Wherever Sydney goes, she will always remain a Montclair girl.
Emily Lee
View all my storiesEmily is MG's Social Media Manager. She is a New Jersey native, growing up in Bergen County, and has bopped around North Jersey in recent years. She enjoys reading and writing and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University in 2020. She enjoys hiking with her rescue dog Moose on the weekends.
Claire Tomasi
View all my storiesClaire Tomasi is a writer and cartoonist. After circling the globe writing and drawing, she returned to New Jersey to the very city where her mom named her after a woman she met in Carlo's Bakery in the 90s. When Claire isn't doodling the day away, you can find her in thrift stores, exploring coffee shops, and walking her trusty dog, Ticket.
Louise Bylicki
View all my storiesAs 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.
Bertha Solis
View all my storiesBertha was born in Brooklyn, NY but eventually moved to Jersey City, NJ where has spent her entire life in. Bertha has a B.A. in Journalism and Media Studies with a minor in Theater from Rutgers University-Newark. In her spare time, she likes creating content for her social media pages, going to Broadway shows, spending time with her golden retriever dog (Gizmo), listening to Harry Styles, and trying out new food spots in the area. You can follow her day-to-day content through her Instagram @simplyberthaxo.
Sarah Griesbach
View all my storiesSarah 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.
Michele Danna
View all my storiesMichele was born and raised in North Jersey. She can often be found running, doing yoga outside, or playing soccer in a local league. Before joining The Montclair Girl team, Michele worked as public school educator for seven years, teaching English + Theater. Michele is also a professional actor with credits across stage and screen. Currently, she is performing off-Broadway.
Carianne Hixson
View all my storiesCarianne is a Montclair native with a deep love for all things creative. When she's not searching for the best cup of coffee in the area with her wife, she enjoys cooking, listening to music, and photography. Day trips to NYC, the beach, or unexplored parts of New Jersey are what bring her joy. Carianne's photography has been featured in F-Stop Magazine and was exhibited in the Monmouth Museum Juried Photography Exhibition. She previously contributed as a writer to Elmore Magazine and Baeble Music, and has had multiple poems published. She is excited to focus her writing on New Jersey, showcasing her deep love for the state!
Sabrina Browne
View all my storiesSabrina 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.
Jillian
View all my storiesJillian is Hoboken Girl's Social Media Assistant. She's a proud Maryland transplant now feeling at home in Hoboken and soaking up all that the "Garden State" has to offer. Since she was young, she dreamt of working in the big apple, but after making the move discovered that the little square mile of Hoboken was the perfect balance of city living with a small, hometown vibe. Her days are spent completely immersed in social media, be it focusing on the latest HG meme or 'gramming pics of her cat. If anyone has a spare Shar Pei puppy, she will happily take it off your hands.
Martin Halo
View all my storiesMartin 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.
Amber Veltri
View all my storiesOriginally 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.
Danielle Lynch
View all my storiesDanielle 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.
Devin Mahon
View all my storiesOriginally 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.
Sammi Caramela
View all my storiesSammi is a Jersey girl through and through. She's lived all across the state and studied creative writing and journalism at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. Sammi currently resides in Hunterdon County, where she spends her free time hiking, exploring the art and history of her area, and writing at her local cafe. To unwind, Sammi enjoys reading or doing yoga with her little black cat, Poe. Montclair is the go-to spot for Sammi to meet up with her NYC or North-Jersey friends for dinner or drinks.
wpengine
View all my storiesThis 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.
Morgan Gertler
View all my storiesMorgan is a career copywriter and copy editor with a background in small business marketing. Her professional work has been across many business verticals such as medical, web security, health + wellness, lifestyle, and consumer goods. She also had an original play produced at the Mile Square Theatre in Hoboken in June 2019. When not writing, she can be found in Sephora buying unnecessary amounts of makeup or teaching a yoga class at the Hudson Yoga Project. She works from her home office in Hoboken with her rescue dog Bowie.
