38 Women Community Leaders Making a Difference in Montclair, New Jersey
It’s March and officially Women’s History Month, a period when the nation highlights women who’ve made significant achievements and contributions to their communities. In honor of this month and International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8th this year, The Montclair Girl has chosen to shed a light on local women who’ve — through their impactful contributions and hard work — become community leaders and have shaped this beloved town into what it is today. Read on for a list of over 35 women making a difference in Montclair, New Jersey.
Ahlilah Longmire | Founder of Ascot Manor Sport, Inc.
Photo Credit: Ahlilah Longmire
With over two decades of experience in sports, entertainment, and consumer goods, Ahlilah Longmire founded Ascot Manor Sport, Inc., a tennis lifestyle brand that services under-resourced junior athletes. Ahlilah started her company after seeing young players struggle to afford the opportunities they deserved. As a Montclair resident, Ahlilah has focused her efforts on growing Ascot Manor Sport to aid the local young crowd. To further better the community, she also has plans to begin a new project and open a brick-and-mortar tennis shop.
Read More: 10 Black Historical Figures From Northern New Jersey
Christina Andino | Founder of Mountains Therapy
Christina Andino, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Master of Social Work, founded Mountains Therapy to create a casual, judgment-free zone that elevates her clients’ mental well-being. Christina’s practice specializes in mental disorders like anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, OCD, PTSD, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and more. Christina told The Montclair Girl that what makes her job rewarding is “being a guide for others as they navigate life’s challenges and witnessing their personal growth along the way.”
Michelle Fleischer | Founder of Embroidery Babes
Photo Credit: Michelle Fleischer
Michelle Fleisher is the founder of Embroidery Babes, an online and pop-up specialty boutique that sells custom and hand-crafted clothing + accessories. Embroidery Babes started as a calming, creative outlet to relieve Michelle from the anxiety and depression she faced during her struggles with fertility. Today, her business serves as a creative outlet for others in the community who are facing their own hardships.
Tanya Lashley | Creator of Meet Me in Montclair
Photo Credit: Tanya Lashley
After receiving success for Meet Me In Millburn, “the first-ever town-wide sitcom starring and co-written by the residents of Millburn Short Hills,” as per the show’s website, Tanya Lashley created the second installment of the series: Meet Me In Montclair. This scripted show highlighted local businesses and represented Montclair from a local perspective. “There is so much deep artisan pride here and so much to explore,” Tanya told Montclair Local. “One does not visit Montclair, one experiences it!”
Shayna Safirstein | Founder + President of Dance for the Ages
Photo Credit: Shayna Safirstein
Shayna Safirstein is the founder and president of the non-profit + volunteer-run organization, Dance for the Ages, which provides movement classes for the elderly at various retirement homes. The main goal of Dance for the Ages is to “give senior citizens something to look forward to once a week,” Shayna told The Montclair Girl. “Even if it is just a simple wave of an arm, it is my and my colleagues’ greatest honor to spend time with the seniors in our community, who undoubtedly deserve so much,” she said.
Dr. Wenimo Okoya | Founder of Healing Schools Project
Photo Credit: Marta Skovro
Dr. Wenimo Okoya is an educator, public health professional, and founder of Healing Schools Project, which implements anti-racist, healing-centered practices and services for educators. Dr. Okoya founded the organization in 2021 during her fellowship at Blue Ridge Labs at the Robin Hood Foundation. Since then, she has worked with schools across the Tri-State area and held leadership roles at institutions like the Children’s Health Fund, The JED Foundation, and NYU Metro Center.
Brandi Kaye | Founder of Explorers Playgroup
Photo Credit: Brandi Kaye
Brandi Kaye (a.k.a Miss Bee) is a children’s educator, entertainer, musical expert, and the founder of the Explorers Playgroup, an early childhood music and movement enrichment program. In this program, students sing, dance, play instruments, and build emotional confidence and independence. Brandi also works with local schools, childcare providers, and parents to lead workshops that focus on the best practices for early childhood education and development.
Anne Mernin | Executive Director at Toni’s Kitchen
Photo Credit: Anne Mernin
As the Executive Director at Toni’s Kitchen, the food ministry of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 73 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair, Anne Mernin is working towards ending food insecurity in Essex County. Toni’s Kitchen, which has provided over 2.3 million meals to the local community, ensures that Montclair locals have access to healthy food. Those looking to get involved can volunteer and donate through various means. See here for more information.
Tanya Poteat | Executive Director of the Montclair Child Development Center, Inc
Photo Credit: Tanya Poteat
Tanya Poteat wears many hats as a community leader. She serves as the President of the Montclair Fund for Women, Vice Chair of the Montclair Democratic County Committee, member of the Montclair Art Museum’s African American Cultural Committee, and Executive Director of the Montclair Child Development Center, Inc. (MCDC) — a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive, inclusive Early Childhood Education to approximately 500 children in the local area.
Deb Looney | CEO + Founder of Loopwell
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After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Deb Looney founded Loopwell, a wellness center dedicated to holistic self-care. Loopwell, located at 80 Maple Avenue, offers classes, workshops, and educational events surrounding health and wellness. Deb has also been recognized for her work at Loopwell by various publications, such as AdAge, Adweek, Art Direction, Archive, Art Director’s Club, DA+D, and U.S. Ad Review. In addition to all that Loopwell does for Montclair locals, Deb volunteers at various organizations in Montclair and the surrounding areas.
Stefanie Murray | Director of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University
Photo Credit: Montclair State University
Stefanie Murray is the Director of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University. Before coming to Montclair State, she worked as a local journalist with publications like The Ann Arbor News and Detroit Free Press. Stefanie also served as the Vice President and Executive Editor of The Tennessean in Nashville. Her field specializations lie in collaborative journalism, local journalism, and news ecosystems. Stefanie utilizes all of her expertise in the industry to help Montclair students in the School of Media with their own journalistic pursuits.
Melissa Walker | Founder of Jazz House Kids
Photo Credit: Jazz House Kids
Melissa Walker is the founder of Jazz House Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides jazz-based education, apprenticeship, and mentoring for children. This institution, located at 347 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, was created twenty years ago and has received more than 125 awards for all that it does for the town, including the Montclair Jazz Festival. In 2024, Melissa received the “Inspiration through the Arts Award” from the 92nd Street Y, which is given to women doing amazing things in their community.
Jackie Apicella | Director of Montclair BID + Director of Experience Montclair
Serving as the Marketing Director of Montclair BID and Director of Experience Montclair, Jackie Apicella has devoted her career to supporting local businesses. During her previous job as a sales and marketing manager at BMW of Bloomfield, she connected with local shop owners and restaurant managers, which “ignited her passion for supporting small enterprises,” she told The Montclair Girl. In her roles, Jackie highlights the businesses and individuals who make Montclair everything that it is. “Sharing this awareness [for businesses] is crucial as it contributes to job creation, boosts the local economy, and sustains it. Their support means more than they may realize.”
Lori Heninger | Executive Director at Montclair Fund for Women
Photo Credit: Lori Heninger
Dr. Lori Heninger is a poet and philanthropist and has dedicated decades to working in the nonprofit sector. She has traveled across the globe to countries in Africa, Asia, and South America and throughout the United States to work with refugees and youth. She has also been published in The Bangalore Review, The Dillydoun Review, Managing As Mission: Nonprofit Managing for Sustainable Change, and released her own poetry book in honor of Women’s History Month titled Words for Women. In 2017, she was appointed as the Executive Director at Montclair Fund for Women, an organization that “[promotes] social and economic justice, educational advancement and achievement, and the strategic strengthening of historic black organizations to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” according to its website.
Elizabeth Hynes | President of the Montclair History Center
The Montclair History Center is a non-profit “that promotes the study and appreciation of local history,” as per the organization’s website. Through the various educational events and programs, this local gem fulfills its mission of “[sharing] stories of Montclair’s diverse and complex history.” As the President of the Montclair History Center, Elizabeth Hynes leads it all.
Farnoosh Torabi + Ali Privitera | Co-Hosts of The Montclair Pod
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Farnoosh Torabi and Ali Privitera are the co-hosts of The Montclair Pod, a podcast that covers all things Montclair, including news, culture, and people in the community. Farnoosh, a financial journalist and bestselling author, has lived in Montclair for five years, and Ali, a former CNBC content strategist who focuses on financial literacy, has been a resident for nearly a decade. Together, they utilize their platform to bring awareness to issues affecting the town and highlight businesses and individuals that make Montclair what it is.
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Women of the Local + State Government
While those operating in New Jersey’s local and state government may not be small business owners or the face of a nonprofit, these individuals doing the behind-the-scenes work (which often goes unnoticed) that keeps Montclair and the Garden State the place we know and love.
Montclair Township Members
- Dr. Renee Baskerville | Mayor
- Susan Shin Andersen | Deputy Mayor + Councilor-at-Large
- Carmel Loughman | Councilor-at-Large
- Dr. Eileen Birmingham | 2nd Ward Councilor
- Aminah Toler | 4th Ward Councilor
See More: 25 Hoboken + Jersey City Women to Watch in 2025
New Jersey Government Officials
- Tahesha Way | Lieutenant Governor + Secretary of State
- Elizabeth Maher Muoio | State Treasurer
- Latrecia Littles-Floyd | Acting Chair + Chief Administrator of Motor Vehicle Commission
- Christine Guhl-Sadovy | President of the Board of Public Utilities
- Annette Quijano | Speaker Pro Tempore of the New Jersey General Assembly
- Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays | Adjutant General + Commissioner of the Department of Military + Veterans Affairs
- Lisa Asare | President + CEO of the NJ Maternal + Infant Health Innovation Authority
- Allison Chris Myers | Chair + Chief Executive Officer of the NJ Civil Service Commission
- Laurie Doran | Director of the Office of Homeland Security
- Sarah Adelman | Commissioner of the Department of Human Services
- Kaitlan Baston | Commissioner of the Department of Health
- Christine Norbut Beyer | Commissioner of the Department of Children + Families
- Victoria Kuhn | Commissioner of the Department of Corrections
- Jacquelyn A. Suárez | Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs
- Rosaura "Rosy" Bagolie | Assemblywoman of District 27
- Alixon Collazos-Gill | Assemblywoman of District 27
