1. C L A S S O F 2 0 1 6 G R A D U A T I O N
11:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M.
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2016
MARLEY RESIDENCE
EMERGE NEW JERSEY

2. ASSEMBLYWOMAN
SHAVONDA SUMTER
“I am humbled and honored to be the commencement
speaker at Emerge’s graduation this year. The
organization’s mission to assist more Democratic
women to serve in public office is essential. I am
elated to share this great accomplishment with
these outstanding women and look forward to seeing
them in public office."
2 0 1 6 C O M M E N C E M E N T S P E A K E R

3. A Letter From Emerge New Jersey Founder:
Myra Terry
Dear Emerge New Jersey 2016 Graduating Class:
I was blown away by each and every one of you this
year! It was my privilege to participate with you and
watch your brilliance, tenacity and confidence. I have
seen your commitment and I am confident that you
will be a force to reckon with in the future. I am
depending on you to break all the glass ceilings that
my generation couldn’t.
The best advice I can give:
You are the women I would be if I had to do it all over again. I look forward to
seeing you running, winning, and making a difference for New Jersey. I encourage
you to go forth, change the world and never lose sight of the goals.
My best wishes to each and every one of you.
1.) Have extensive knowledge on issues that affect justice.
2.) Consult with the communities that are oppressed before you make
decisions affecting them.
3.) Don’t compromise your values.
4.) Keep an open mind.
5.) Don’t let the powers that be co-opt you.
Myra Terry

4. Class of 2016
Isabel Alarcon, Hudson County
Marie Battist-Celestin, Cumberland County
Aerielle Belk, Camden County
Rebecca Cain, Morris County
Heather Champagne, Morris County
Colleen Curren, Camden County
Marie Marthelle Guervil, Union County
Tomecca (Mecca) Keyes, Essex County
Emily Kullmann, Morris County
Nidhi Makhija, Somerset County
Dana Murray, Essex County
Cristina Pinzon, Union County
Lorna Phillipson, Monmouth County
Damaris Ramirez, Middlesex County
Connie Sanchez, Union County
Maisha Scudder, Atlantic County
Stephanie Smith, Essex County
Bibi Taylor, Essex County
Dahlia Vertreese, Union County
Sharronda Wheeler, Essex County

5. Isabel Alarcon, Hudson County
Isabel has been a resident of Jersey City since 1993.
Isabel graduated from Berkeley College with a Bachelor
of Science in International Business. In September of
2013, Isabel opened Quantum Dynamics Consulting,
LLC., a consultation firm located in the center of the
Jersey City Heights.
Marie Battist-Celestin, Cumberland County
Marie has been a Business Teacher with Millville Public
Schools for nine years. She has her Bachelors in Business
Administration from Northwood University and a
Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from New
Jersey City University.
Aerielle Belk, Camden County
Aerielle is a Middle School Math Teacher at Good
Shepherd Regional School in Collingswood, New Jersey.
As a teacher, Arielle strives to encourage students to be
all they can be and never give up on their dreams. Arielle
graduated from Binghamton University with a B.S. in
Integrative Neuroscience.
Rebecca Cain, Morris County
Rebecca is the Principal at Tuckerman Partners
Consulting, LLC in Florham Park, New Jersey. She is a
seasoned business leader with a demonstrated record of
achievement and advancement across 15+ years of
progressive experience in corporate, start-up and non-
profit settings. Rebecca earned her M.B.A from Cornell,
a B.A. from Dickinson College, and graduated from St.
Pius X High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

6. Heather Champagne, Morris County
Heather has 20 years of experience in the legal
profession which has honed her decision making, time
management and interpersonal skills. She currently
works as a paralegal for a senior partner at Eichen
Crutchlow Zaslow & McElroy, LLP. Heather earned her
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from
Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.
Colleen Curren, Camden County
Colleen graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with
Bachelor of the Arts degrees in Music, English, and
Education, as well as an endorsement in Special
Education. Presently, Colleen is employed as a Special
Education Language Arts teacher by the Black Horse Pike
Regional School District, where she works with students
aged 14-21 in a variety of special education settings,
including students with behavioral disabilities.
Marie Marthelle Guervil, Union County
Marie Marthelle is a political organizer focused on
education, social justice, immigration, and women’s
rights. Marie Marthelle has built her reputation doing
amazing work on the local, county, and federal level.
Currently, she works at Paranoa & Associates, a political
consulting firm and is the Executive Director of The
Haitian American Committee.
Tomecca (Mecca) Keyes, Essex County
Tomecca is a proven community organizer/political
advocate with national and local experience. She is the
President/Co-Founder of East Orange Citizens United,
an independent community-based advocacy group; and
Tomecca is also a Project Coordinator for New Jersey
Cares. Tomecca earned her B.S. in Business
Administration from Shaw University in Raleigh, North
Carolina; and an M.A. in Public Administration from
Farleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey.

7. Emily Kullmann, Morris County
Emily is a first-time Democratic candidate who
campaigned for mayor in the township of Rockaway
during the 2015 election cycle. She’s been an active
member of the Stony Brook, Copland and Morris Hills
HSA. She volunteers with JDRF and Foundation for
Diabetes Research, and drives for Meals on
Wheels. Emily is a graduate of the County College of
Morris and has an associates degree in Liberal Arts.
Nidhi Makhija, Somerset County
Nidhi is a first-time Democratic candidate who
campaigned for mayor in the township of Bridgewater
during the 2015 election cycle. Nidhi earned her
undergraduate degree in engineering from the Shri
Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology in Indore
before studying management at the Narsee Monjee
Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai.
Cristina Pinzon, Union County
Cristina is a Principal at Stateside Affairs, a public and
government affairs firm. She earned her Bachelor's
degree in Broadcast Television with a concentration in
Political Science from Montclair State University. Cristina
has worked in a variety of fields, including education,
journalism and politics. Additionally, Cristina serves as
the Chair of the Elizabeth Housing Authority.
Dana Murray, Essex County
Dana is a former Special Education Teacher in both
Newark and Elizabeth who understands the plight of
families seeking equity and quality education. Committed
to demystifying and unapologetically reclaiming the
narrative around education reform, she currently serves
as the Director of Community Relations for KIPP New
Jersey: TEAM Charter Schools where she oversees seven
campuses.

8. Lorna Phillipson, Monmouth County
Lorna is a first-time Democratic candidate who
campaigned for the New Jersey Assembly 30th
Legislative District seat during the 2015 election cycle.
She is a business leadership and strategy consultant to
technology startups, a former bank trading executive,
and was an adjunct professor in banking and finance at
New York University.
Damaris Ramirez, Middlesex County
Damaris is the Program Coordinator for the Cathedral
International Community Development Corporation. In
her role, Damaris implements and executes various
programs to fulfill organizational objectives. In addition
to her work with the CICDC, Damaris is active in many
other organizations in her local community and around
the state.
Connie Sanchez, Union County
Connie is the Executive Director at Unity Charter School.
Prior to teaching, she was a Vice President at Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney. In addition, Connie served in the
U.S. Air Force Reserve. Connie earned an EdM in
Educational School Leadership from Columbia University
Teachers College and an MBA from Texas A&M.
Maisha Scudder, Atlantic County
Maisha is a Constituent Advocate for U.S. Senator Cory
Booker. In her role, she focuses on advocating on behalf
of New Jersey constituents who are having issues with
federal agencies. Her areas of focus include: Veteran’s
Affairs, uniformed services, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, and others. She earned her
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Cheyney
University of Pennsylvania.

9. Stephanie Smith, Essex County
Stephanie is a Social Service Professional with strong
leadership qualities. She founded, The Vesta Project, a
non-profit, while pursuing her Master’s Degree in Social
Work to fill a gap in services for thousands of individuals
who are in need of quality mental health counseling and
support after the Safe and Sound Center was shut down
at UMDNJ.
Bibi Taylor, Essex County
Bibi is the Director of Finance and County Treasurer for
the County of Union, New Jersey, and provides executive
leadership and management for the County’s operating
and capital budgets. Bibi earned her Bachelor’s Degree in
Political Science from the University of West Florida and
a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers
University.
Dahlia Vertreese, Union County
Dahlia is a Labor Organizer/Labor Relations Specialist for
Local 68 International Union Operating Engineers. Dahlia
enjoys working closely with Assemblyman Thomas P.
Giblin (D-34) who has introduced her to many
experiences in both political and governmental life.
Dahlia obtained two Bachelor’s degrees in History and
Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas.
Sharronda Wheeler, Essex County
Sharronda has 15 years of experience in the Social Service
Industry. She currently works as a Resident Service
Coordinator for SHP Management Corp. Sharronda has
been a community activist for eight years. Sharronda has
an AAS in Public Policy/Urban Studies from St. Peters
College of Jersey City. Sharronda is a Newark Native.

10. Mary Knowles,
Senior Segment
Producer for HBO’s
REAL TIME WITH BILL
MAHER
Special Recognition
Thank you Chairman Kevin
McCabe, Vice Chair Beatrice
Moskowitz and the entire
MCDO organization for
allowing Emerge New Jersey
to use your space for the
duration of our 2016 Political
Training Program.
Thank you Mary for serving as
our Program Director. We
are eternally grateful for your
time, commitment and
dedication to Emerge New
Jersey's 2016 class.
Middlesex County
Democratic
Organization

11. Emerge New Jersey sincerely thanks everyone who
contributed to making its 2016 Political Training
Program a huge success. We would not be here today
without you.
Thank Yous
Brenda Brathwaite, Educator; Atlantic County Freeholder
Candidate; and Emerge New Jersey’15 Alumnae
Sabrina Browne, PR Consultant and Strategist
Liz Chadderdon, President of The Chadderdon Group
Kerry Cordero, Personal Styling and Image Consultant
Fran Ehert, Former Local 194 President and Emerge New
Jersey Board Member
Brendan Gill, Essex County Freeholder Vice President
Vin Gopal, Monmouth County Democratic Committee Chair
Deb Howlett, Award Winning Reporter and Former ACLU
Communications Director
Mila Jasey, Assemblywoman
Dr. Khyati Joshi, Renowned Researcher and Educator
Celia M. King, Leadership Newark CEO and Emerge New
Jersey Board Chair
Courtney Knapp, Co-Creative Founder
Brad Lawrence, Media and Message Founding Partner

12. Thank Yous
Joe Libutti, Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling
and Assemblywoman Joann Downey
Colleen Mahr, Fanwood Mayor
Milene Matos, NJELEC
Diane Murray, Hillside Councilwoman and Emerge New Jersey'14
Alumnae
Shante Palmer, Capital Impact Group Vice President of Business
Development and Emerge New Jersey’15 Alumnae
Arlene Quinones Perez, Hunterdon County Democratic Committee
Chairwoman
Jean Pierce, HPAE Policy Staff and Emerge New Jersey Treasurer
Lizette Delgado-Polanco, New Jersey Democratic State Committee
Chair
Carol Rizzo, Neptune Township Committeewoman and Emerge New
Jersey'14 Alumnae
Ginger Gold Schnitzer, NJEA Government Relations Director
Safanya Searcy, SEIU and Emerge New Jersey Board Member
Janice Siegel, Westfield Democratic Committee Chairwoman
Derel Stroud, New Jersey State Democratic Operative
Noemi Velazquez, Immediate Past LUPE PAC President and Emerge
New Jersey Board Member
Elizabeth Riley Williams, President of the American Conference on
Diversity
Stephanie Wohlrab, Veteran Political Fundraiser

13. Executive Committee
Founder
Myra Terry
Chair
Celia M. King
Vice Chair
Lori Price Abrams
Secretary
Donna T. Pepe
Treasurer
Jean Pierce
L I T T L E B I R D P H O T O G R A P H Y . C O M
For your life's
special moments
Program Chairs
Selection and Recruitment
Maneesha Kelkar
Board Recruitment
Shawn Laurenti
Fundraising
Marcia Marley
Program
Safanya Searcy
Governance
Syd Whalley
Advisory Board
Marie Blistan
Franceline Ehert
Rosa Farias
Carol Rizzo
Idida Rodriguez
Safanya Searcy
Milly Silva
Patricia Teffenhart
Noemi Velazquez
Emerge New Jersey Board

14. F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t E m e r g e N e w J e r s e y
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