How to Give Money to a Good Cause
DOUG BAUER
“How to Give Money to a good Cause”
BIO: The Clark Foundation focuses on helping people out of poverty and assisting individuals to lead independent and productive lives, and supports nonprofits and programs in New York City and Cooperstown, NY. Doug’s opinions and ideas on philanthropy have been featured in the Associated Press, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Financial Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Wall Street Journal and on CNBC, NPR and PBS. Doug is a graduate of Michigan State University and also has an M.J. from Temple University and a M.S. from Penn. He is also the father of Nate and Jebbie Bauer, both Mt. Hebron students.
MICHAEL ABDUL-QAWI
“Advertising And Your Attention”
BIO: Michael was born and raised in Maplewood NJ. He is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA (Go Owls!). He is currently a Senior Copywriter at a digital advertising agency, VaynerMedia. Television, movies, and storytelling are huge passions of his.
MEREDITH HALPERN-RANZER
“Making Media That Matters”
BIO: Meredith Halpern-Ranzer is a children’s media creative leader and Emmy-nominated Executive Producer. Meredith began her career as a documentary film editor. Next, she learned the burning question of her childhood when she found out how to get, how to get to Sesame Street, where she worked for eight years as an editor, producer, writer and director. Meredith then became one of the original brand builders of the preschool network Sprout, where she worked for ten years as VP of Creative, VP of Alternative Programming and Executive Producer. She holds a B.A. in Communications and Child Psychology from the University of Delaware and lives in Montclair, NJ with her family and a dog named Shuggie.
LAURA TORCHIO
“Meet Me Uptown After School: How Urban Planners Make Uptowns Cool!”
BIO: Laura Torchio is Principal at Laura Torchio, AICP, LLC - a woman-owned planning consulting firm specializing in active transportation, healthy communities, and place-making. With over 25 years experience in urban planning, her objective is to inspire and facilitate thoughtful, creative initiatives and coalitions that strengthen the social, physical, and economic vitality of communities. She is a resident tactical urbanist and placemaker serving on the following local boards and committees: Bike&Walk Montclair, Montclair Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee, and Montclair Arts Advisory Committee.
JOSEPH SPRUILL
“Engineering You”
BIO: Mr. Spruill was born and raised in New Jersey. He attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering. During his 2nd year of college, he completed a coop program and went to work in his field of study. As a result of the Coop program, he was offered a job prior to completing college at the same company where he gained his experience. He attended school at night to further his education and received a Master of Science degree in Engineering. Today, he works at the Becton Dickinson Company in Franklin Lakes, NJ.
PICO TURBINE
“PICO Turbine Wind Power Efficiency”
BIO: PICO Turbine is in the business of providing STEAM education materials, student programs, and training services in the areas of Sustainable Materials (Alternate Energy), Rapid Prototyping (3D printing), and Computer Engineering (robotics and electronics).
LISA DELUCA
“Do you see what you read?”
BIO: Lisa DeLuca is the Social Sciences Librarian at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. She works with faculty, undergraduate and graduate students to enhance their research process with data visualization. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration. She received a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Masters in Library Science from Rutgers University.
JENNIFER MAY
“Fancy Feet”
BIO: Ms. May is a footwear industry consultant, specializing in brand management, product development and merchandising. Experienced in all phases of directing the product development process - including strategy, market research, leading and inspiring design staff, trend research, sourcing, merchandising, and getting designs out the door. She art directs products and manages the execution of tech-packs, prototypes, working directly with overseas factories. Her specialty is children’s shoes. She worked at Stride Rite for over ten years, and was product director at Keds (children’s) and OshKoshB’gosh.
RAVI SRINIVASAN
“The supply of all of your demands”
BIO: Ravi Srinivasan has a varied background in electrical engineering, information technology, operations research and industrial engineering. He has a BSE in EE from Princeton and a MS in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford. He has worked for software companies such as Oracle - where he was involved with the development of their inventory and supply chain software tools. He also co-founded two outsourcing companies, worked with a hedge fund in CT, and now advises large companies on their data center and telecommunications infrastructure.
JESSICA HENRY
"Legal Eagle: The Right to Counsel"
BIO: Jessica S. Henry is Chair of the Department of Justice Studies, and received the University Distinguished Teacher Award in 2015. After serving as a public defender for nearly a decade, Professor Henry joined the Montclair State University faculty in 2005. She teaches a wide range of courses, including Criminal Law and Procedure, Death Penalty Perspectives, Hate Crimes, and Wrongful Convictions. Professor Henry has appeared as a frequent commentator on national television, radio, and in print media, and is a frequent blogger with the Huffington Post. Her areas of research include severe sentences (including the death penalty and life without parole), prisoner re-entry, hate crimes and the criminal justice system.
KIM BURNS
“What’s the difference between a recipe book and a recipe for a book?”
BIO: After studying history at Rutgers, Ms. Burns began working in publishing two weeks after graduation. Since then, she worked for a few very different companies, some very small, but well-known, and some very big. She currently works in marketing at Berkley, a division of Penguin Random House.
ALEKSANDRA MIHAJLOVIC
“Chinese art of acupuncture and plants remedies”
BIO: Aleksandra Mihajlovic always loved the field of science especially since Biology. Starting in 5th grade she decided that Biology was her favorite subject and it has been ever since. After many specialized courses in High School, such as Biology, Zoology, Botany, Ecology, she went to study Molecular Biology and Physiology in college. After graduate school, where she studied the damaging effects of heavy metals on living cells, she enrolled in a program to study Chinese Medicine and Herbology. Aleksandra has her own practice where she is helping adults and children feel better.
MIKE HALBERT
“Beyond Minecraft: Building New Technologies in the Real World”
BIO: Mr. Halbert leads development teams in the investment banking industry. His experience is focused around building and managing strong software development teams and delivering solid software with an intuitive and engaging user experience. He has been developing software and leading programs of change for over 15 years. He holds a BS in Meteorology from North Carolina State University.
JAMIE PAGLIARO
“Beyond Minecraft: Building New Technologies in the Real World”
BIO: Mr. Pagliaro has spent the past 20+ years working in the field of education. He started his career tutoring and managing programs for young children with autism. From there, he went on to start the first public charter school for children with autism in New York City, and then co-founded an innovative educational technology company that focuses on inclusive education in public schools. He earned his MBA from Villanova University and BA with honors in Psychology from Wesleyan University.
ADAM MARCUS
“Does Science Have A Trust Problem?”
BIO: Adam Marcus is co-founder of the blog Retraction Watch and the Center for Scientific Integrity, as well as the managing editor of Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News. His writing about research integrity has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Nature and many other publications. He teaches science writing at Johns Hopkins University. Most important, Adam is a proud parent of two MHMS students.
AVIVA SCHEIN, MD
“What’s up, Doc?”
BIO: Dr. Schein is a pediatrician practicing in Clifton. She has been a doctor for 18 years and still enjoys taking care of children and adolescents every day. In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Schein has taught medical students and pediatric residents and edited a number of books about parenting issues.
LATASCHA FOSTER
“Paper 101”
BIO: LaTascha Foster is a 25-year veteran of the Paper and Printing industry. She began her paper career with the Fortune 100 International Paper Company where she completed their competitive Sales Development Training Program and worked in the Form Bond, Springhill and Hammermill groups. She also worked for RRDonnelley & Sons where she sold commercial print before returning to paper. She is now employed by Appleton Coated LLC located in Combined Locks, WI. In her current position she is the New York Metro Regional Sales Representative.
SHUBA VASAN
“It’s All About Behavior”
BIO: Ms.Vasan has a Bachelors and Masters in Accounting and Business from the University of Madras, India. After moving to North American she seized the opportunity to enter the field of education with a Master degree in Special Education. During her student teaching in the Bronx she became very interested in helping individuals with Autism and developmental disabilities. This perusal led to a post master diploma in Applied Behavior Analysis and a certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
KAREN-ANN KAELIN-PANICO
“Threads Up!”
BIO: Ms. Kaelin-Panico is a graduate of SUNY ~ Oneonta State University & Fashion Institute of Technology NYC, holding several degrees with her Bachelor of Science directly pertaining to this presentation. She has worked over 20 years in various areas of Buying & Merchandising, Director of Marketing , Private Label & Sales, VP of Product Development design/ manufacturing and licensing. She is also a Theatrical Producing Director, which combines acting and the costume development as it pertains to theater and end use. In addition, she is also a Certified Home Economics teacher and a Certified Coach Practitioner.
ZARA PHILLIPS
“Life and music”
BIO: Singer/songwriter/author/actor. Born in England and adopted as a child, Ms. Phillips began her journey working with famous musicians and various bands in London (Bob Geldof/Live Aid). She moved to California and continued to work with well know people in the music industry. In addition to her albums, he has also written a book, a documentary and wrote and performed in her one-woman play. She continues to be outspoken for the rights of adopted children around the world. You can learn more at
TYLER SCHMITT
“Ask Questions, Stay Curious”
BIO: Mr. Schmitt is a Mt. Hebron alumnus. He grew up in a large family that is Montclair through and through. He currently lives in Manhattan and work at a leading digital/social media advertising agency as Assistant to the CEO. He first fell in love with technology in the computer labs of Mt. Hebron in 2002.
GEORGE DICK
“The Sky is NOT Your Limit. There are Footprints on the Moon to Prove It.”
BIO: Mr. Dick graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering 1964. He spent the first portion of his career in the aerospace industry, functioning as a test engineer, ensuring that assembled systems performed in the manner that they were designed. He then transferred to the telecommunications industry functioning to ensure that telecomm technicians knew the proper ways to utilize test equipment. He ended his working career ensuring that power plant technicians knew the proper ways to implement and maintain smog control equipment. He is now retired.
RON MOSS
“The Road to Becoming a Taste Master”
BIO: An architect by trade, Ronald Moss understands the value of patience, vision, and determination. These qualities are key elements of the TasteMakersNYC, a bespoke culinary group that he created with his good friend Jon Arthur. As the author of Oodles of Options cookbook, Ronald is no novice when it comes to cooking. Raised in Pittsburgh, PA by native New Yorkers, he has has honed his skills of blending cultural dishes and their spices. After studying abroad in Italy, Ron was truly inspired to create works of quality, starting with fresh ingredients. He prefers the familiar, yet, extraordinary.
JON ARTHUR
“The Road to Becoming a Taste Master”
BIO: Jonathan knows that food is a source of expression, and enjoys using culinary creations to create conversation. From Maplewood, New Jersey, Jonathan is a lifelong student of Hospitality, continuously experimenting with different tastes and working to improve his craft. Jon believes that every element of a meal is paramount. From flavors, to service, to presentation; he always aims to provide the ‘Great Guest Experience’.
ELENA PETROFF
“Brain Power, Literally”
BIO: Dr. Elena Petroff is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biology, Montclair State University. She received her PhD in Biology from York University, UK after completing her BSc/MSc in Biophysics at Kiev University, Ukraine. Dr. Petroff conducted her postdoctoral Research at Cambridge University, UK, and at the University of Iowa Medical School. Her current NIH funded research is in Neuroscience, specifically ion channels and their role in neuronal excitability and regulation of brain tumor proliferation. Dr. Petroff published numerous research articles in journals including Nature Neuroscience, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, Journal of Neuroscience, and others. Dr. Petroff is continuing to be a mentor for Weston Science Scholars Program providing research opportunities for middle and high school students.
VERNON LEE POW
“Aquanauts, the Astronauts of the Ocean”
BIO: Mr. LeePow is an alumnus of both Nishuane and Montclair High. For the past six years he has worked for a marine engineering company, requiring him to use science, mathematics, and engineering skills everyday. In addition, his career required him to take special training from a school that is very unique, where he learned how to survive and work in an environment humans are not used to living in, but by which they are constantly surrounded. His occupation requires him to inspect, repair, build, and protect bridges, piers, docks, boats, submarines and other structures in and near the rivers and ocean (i.e. Hudson River, Delaware river, Atlantic Ocean). He also inspects and repairs underground pipelines that run across the United States, carrying oil, water, natural gas, and fiber optic cables. The tools of his trade include welders, cutting torches, hydraulic drills, chainsaws and other power tools that cut and bond wood and steel.
JORDAN RYAN
“A Woman in a Man’s World”
BIO: Ms. Ryan has been in the construction industry for twelve years. She began her career at a Construction Law Firm in New Jersey and then moved to Florida and worked in the Preconstruction Department at a Building Construction Company. She relocated back to New Jersey several years ago where she has since found a passion for Heavy Highway Construction, working on the construction of new bridges, highways, drainage systems, noise walls, MSE walls, pump stations, toll plazas and toll plaza buildings for the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
CORINNA SAGER
“ The Challenges of Creating a Marketing Film
Bio: Ms. Sager is an award winning international director and producer and owns a communications agency for corporate communications, TV/video productions and live events. She has produced in many countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Singapore, Brazil, China, Russia, South Africa and Togo. She produces image films, sales videos, documentaries and training videos for clients such as Bugatti Automobiles, Pepsi, Volkswagen and MSC - the second largest container shipping company in the world. One of her short documentaries was nominated for an Academy Award. She is also an adjunct professor at Pace University teaching “Effective Speaking”, “International Communications” and “Event Design”.