Board of Trustees – 2023

 

 

 

 

Stephen Schoch, Principal, Director of Housing, Thriven Design
Chairperson

Gia Gore, Director of Real Estate, Eden Autism Services
Vice Chairperson

Samantha Hoyte, CPA, MBA, CFE Manager at WithumSmith+Brown
Treasurer

Jacqueline Ross, Advancement Director, Garden State Community Development Corporation
Secretary

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Kenneth D. Bland Jr., Vice President of Business Banking, Valley National Bank

Adriana Chizan, LPC, Director of Support Services, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ)

Barbara Coppens, Community Advocate

Gia Gore, Director of Real Estate, Eden Autism Services

Samantha Hennessey, Senior Development Associate, The Alpert Group

Maria Maio-Messano, Community Advocate

James R. Marhold, DHA/DBA, President/CEO, Declarations, Inc.

Asish Patel, Chief Operating Officer, Monarch Housing Associates

Peter Rosky, Senior Vice President, NJ Market Leader, Risk Strategies Company

Nancy Schneeloch, Senior Program Director, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services

Monica Vir, Esq., Partner at law firm of Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C.

In accordance with our by-laws the SHA trustees are elected each year by the membership at the Annual Meeting. The trustees elect the SHA officers at the trustees meeting following the Annual Meeting. The full list of Trustees Bios can be viewed here. 

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Diane Riley, Executive Director

Diane joined SHA as Executive Director in 2017 bringing her many years of experience as a leading voice for the economically disadvantaged in New Jersey. Joining the Community Food Bank in 2011, Diane led a coalition of stakeholders to raise awareness about hunger, engage in public dialogue, and influence policies that address underlying causes such as housing. In March 2016, Diane was recognized by the NJ General Assembly for her service leadership and commitment to improve the quality of life for citizens throughout the state of New Jersey. Prior to the joining the food bank, Diane worked at The Apostles House, a non-profit agency providing emergency shelter, transitional housing and other services to homeless and at-risk families in the Newark area. Diane is currently a member of the board of trustees of the Anti-Poverty Network of NJ (APN). As an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, the Rev. Diane Riley serves as Archdeacon for Mission and Service a resource to congregations and other faith communities.

Joseph Christensen, Membership and Communication Manager

Joseph builds connections toward collaborative community success as part of New Jersey’s supportive housing community. Joining SHA-NJ in 2018, Joseph’s experience assisting the non-profit world includes work with housing, food accessibility, workers’ rights, access to the arts, and supportive services. Committed to the mission of SHA-NJ, Joseph brought updates to the weekly newsletter, “The SHAre:” and seeks additional opportunities to grow and support the SHA member community. Joseph earned a Master’s Degree in Public and Organizational Relations from Montclair State University.

Kate Kelly, MSW – Integrated Community Project Manager

Kate Kelly joined the staff of SHA in 2021 to spearhead our Integrated Community Project. The projects goal is to increase the capacity of people with disabilities to become completely engaged in their communities. Kate has worked at the intersection of heath and housing for almost twenty years in several states. Most recently at the Housing Alliance of PA to increase voter engagement and early on with Partnerships for Strong Communities in Connecticut to increase supportive housing. Her nine years as public policy associate at Monarch Housing included directing public policy, advocacy and public relations dedicated to ending homelessness, building racial diversity and expanding the supply and accessibility of affordable housing. Throughout her career she has brought people together, increased the engagement of people with lived experience and strengthened engagement among all sectors, individual, civic, and service organizations in communities. She is currently on the Board of Trustees on the Partners in Health Foundation in Montclair.

Kate Leahy – Housing Navigator Project Manager

Kate Leahy joined the staff of SHA in 2021 to guide the development and growth of SHA’s Housing Navigator Project. Kate brings over 15 years of experience working in New York and New Jersey with advocacy and efforts to end homelessness. Her recent experience also includes six years with the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness. Kate helped to develop an advocacy and leadership program with the NJCEH for people with lived experience. That program, the Garden State Leaders Program (GSL) is now in its 7th year. Kate holds a Master’s in Public Administration from New York University.