46 Women Community Leaders Making a Difference in Hoboken + Jersey City
March ushers in Women’s History Month, a special time dedicated to women around the world making strides on global and local scales. Here in Hudson County, we are fortunate to be surrounded by hundreds of incredible women making a difference, and in honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day alike, we’ve decided to spotlight a handful of game-changing women in our community. Read on for our list of over 40 community leaders changing the game in Hoboken + Jersey City, New Jersey.
Emily Jabbour | Hoboken Councilwoman + Mayoral Candidate
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Hoboken Councilwoman Emily Jabbour has been an important part of the local community since 2017. Emily has championed local causes such as public safety, and affordable housing while advocating for The Hoboken Food Pantry, True Mentors, The Hoboken Public Education Foundation, and more. This year, she will be running for Hoboken Mayor.
Tiffanie Fisher | Hoboken Councilwoman + Mayoral Candidate
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Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher has been serving Hoboken’s 2nd Ward since 2016. Her passion for public safety in local parks, reducing taxes, and commitment to the local community have prompted her to run for Hoboken Mayor in 2025.
Dini Ajmani | Hoboken Planning Board + Mayoral Candidate
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Dini Ajmani is a longtime Hoboken resident who has worked in public service for over ten years. She is a former U.S. Treasury official who also worked closely with Senator Booker, and Governor Murphy, and even serves on the Hoboken Planning Board. Dini will also be running for Hoboken Mayor in 2025.
Read More: 25 Hoboken + Jersey City Women to Watch in 2025
Joyce Watterman | Jersey City Council President
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Council President Joyce Watterman is a dedicated community leader, serving as the first African-American woman elected to the role in Jersey City. Joyce actively dedicates her energy to affordable housing, budget planning, and diversity initiatives while also leading programs that empower women and provide safe spaces for children. Joyce’s ongoing commitment to uplift others helps to continuously create positive change in our community.
Denise Ridley | Jersey City Councilwoman
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Lifelong Jersey City Resident, Denise Ridley has served as a Ward A Jersey City Councilwoman since 2017. Her focus on the community has not gone unnoticed as she works to organize local events, increase parking, support small businesses, and create welcoming public spaces. Denise is also a board member of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation and Vice-Chair of the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency.
Mira Prinz-Arey | Jersey City Councilwoman
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Mira Prinz-Arey is Jersey City’s Ward B Councilwoman. Since 2017 Mira has devoted her time to organizing local cultural events and park-based improvements. She also helped to launch the Arts and Culture trust find which helps local artists. Her dedication to the community touches various areas.
Dileiny Baron | Influencer + Founder of The Creators Loft
Photo Credit: Dileiny Baron
Dilieny Baron is changing the game for local creatives. The Jersey City-based influencer and founder of The Creators Loft is designed to empower influencers, photographers, brands, and creators to bring their visions to life in an elevated way. Dileiny has over a decade of experience in content creation and influencer marketing and is proud to have built an action-driven, inspiring, and relatable brand that builds close, meaningful connections with locals.
Michelle Vigder | CEO of Bunny Hive
Photo Credit: @beatificvisionsphotography
Michelle Vigder is the CEO of Bunny Hive, a children’s social club that provides all kinds of enrichment classes for children, such as a sensory class for babies aged zero to 18 months, and a music class for newborns and kids up to Kindergarten. Michelle is a Hoboken mom of two and has lived in the area for over seven years. She shared with The Hoboken Girl that she created this space knowing what it’s like to be a mom of young children. With Bunny Hive, Michelle and her team are providing the community with a fun and nurturing space for little ones designed to support their development.
Rachel Sieg | Executive Director of The Historic Downtown Special Improvement District
Rachel Sieg is the Executive Director of HDSID, an organization that works with the community “to promote the area, improve the services provided, and undertake any and all activity to make Historic Downtown Jersey City a better place to live, work, and visit,” according to its website. Rachel and the team behind HDSID support the JC area by highlighting local gems and providing fun events throughout the year, including the beloved farmers’ market, the annual Groove on Grove, and more.
Nicole Rocanello | President + Treasurer of Party with Purpose
Party with Purpose has been uplifting the Hoboken community for over 20 years. According to the organization’s website, Party with Purpose was founded in 2002 by Scott Delea, who desired “to make a difference in his own local community,” following 9/11. Nicole Rocanello, the group’s president, leads Party with Purpose by hosting various social charity events. As of this writing, this organization has donated over $1,000,000 to locals in need, as per its website.
Angela McKnight | Founder of Angela Cares
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Angela McKnight is the founder of AngelaCARES Inc. Angel Cares is a nonprofit organization that serves as an advocate and support system for senior citizens, a support system for senior caregivers, and a youth mentorship program by educating and empowering them to volunteer. All contributions to Angel Cares help fund projects and programs including social activities and educational and support resources for seniors and their caregivers. Angela’s dedication to the elderly community is a much-needed form of advocacy.
Sheila Burmistrova | Founder + CEO of Narra Collective
Photo Credit: Nev Trinajstic of Nev Photography
Sheila Burmistrova is the founder and CEO of Jersey City’s first family-friendly co-working space, Narra Collective. Sheila decided to pause her career to stay home with her son during his first year of life. She shared with HG that the time at home gave her the inspiration and clarity to create Narra, a space that bridges the gap between career and family life. Now Sheila provides a meaningful space for locals to do the same.
Gianna Peraza | Owner + Director of Greatness Grows Early Learning Center
Photo Credit: Gianna Peraza
Gianna Peraza has been an educator in New Jersey for the past seven years and currently resides in Bergen County where she grew up. Education has always been an important part of her life and this year she fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening Greatness Grows Early Learning Center in Hoboken. Gianna believes every child deserves a safe, supportive space to explore, grow, and thrive. Gianna is dedicated to helping children build confidence and curiosity as they develop a foundation for lifelong success.
Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez | Owner of SW3AT Wellness + The Other Side Dispensary
Photo Credit: Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez
Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez is the true embodiment of a dedicated community member. She is a multi-talented entrepreneur, brand maven, and veteran in Jersey City. She is the founder of SW3AT Wellness and The Other Side Dispensary in Jersey City. Alyza is devoted to breaking the recurrence of generational adversity by empowering underserved communities with ownership, resources, education, and inspiration, in addition to uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.
Beverly Savage | Executive Director of Hudson County Court Approved Special Advocates
Beverly Savage has been serving the community through her work as the Director of CASA since 2005. Through her work at CASA (Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates), Beverly ensures that needed services and assistance are available to children as they help to place them in permanent homes. Beverly has been recognized locally for her work and even received the Vivian Dupree Leadership Award for her leadership.
Jennifer Manzetti | Director of Operations at Hoboken Community Center
Jennifer Manzetti is the Director of Operations at the Hoboken Community Center. Her efforts in coordinating the community center’s food and hygiene pantry are essential to locals in need. Jennifer’s work echoes the importance of helping our neighbors through all HCC has to offer including an Affordable Housing Program and newly renovated community center coming soon.
Chesleigh Meade | Director of Development at Hoboken Community Center
Chesleigh Meade is the Director of Development at the Hoboken Community Center. Her role is vital in planning and implementing development and fundraising to provide for the needs of the organization. Since 2020, Chesleigh has been an important member of the HCC helping the non-profit move forward with its goals.
Jaclyn Cherubini | Executive Director of The Hoboken Shelter
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For over 20 years, Jaclyn Cherubini has been the Executive Director of The Hoboken Shelter. Jaclyn is at the helm of the shelter’s mission is to end homelessness one person at a time. Her work at The Hoboken Shelter has touched thousands of lives over the years by providing a safe place to sleep, shower, and have a hot meal in addition to special programming such as counseling, job training, creative art workshops, and more. Jaclyn also serves in leadership roles with Hudson County’s Alliance to End Homelessness, Family Promise, and Grace Community Services.
Renee Turonis | President of St. Mary’s Advocates
Renee Turonis is the president of St. Mary’s Advocates in Hoboken. The local thrift store is more than just a place to shop, but a community hub that operates as a non-profit, making contributions to various local charities and organizations. Renee’s work with St. Mary’s Advocates ensures that the mission of the store is filled by pouring back into the community with donations, scholarships, and sustainable efforts.
Simona D. Ovanezian | President + Chief Executive Officer of Hoboken Organization Against Poverty + Economic Stress
For over 21 years, Simona D. Ovanezian has been deeply involved with HOPES. In 2018 she became the President + CEO and continues to serve individuals and families in New Jersey. HOPES is a non-profit organization that provides programs to address various community needs such as benefits and assistance, early childhood education, adult education, health and food programs, financial empowerment, transportation assistance, and more.
Neidy Gutierre + Adrienne Romero | Slice of Culture
Photo Credit: Slice of Culture
Neidy Gutierrez and Adrienne Romero are the co-founders of Slice of Culture, a local publication focusing on the underrepresented stories of the Hudson County community. The two grew up in Northern New Jersey and noticed there wasn’t enough positive coverage of their community in traditional media. Back in 2020, the friend duo started Slice of Culture to help cover the diverse community in Hudson County. In doing so, Neidy and Adrienne continue serving the community through authentic multimedia storytelling and collaboration with a longterm goal of creating generational wealth for their team.
Dr. Christine Johnson | Superintendent of Hoboken Public Schools
Christine Johnson has dedicated her life to serving through education. She was Hoboken’s first-ever woman superintendent after being appointed in 2015. Prior to her time in Hoboken, she served as an administrator in the towns of Bontoon and Mendham. Today she continues to serve students and families in the education system right here in Hoboken.
Elizabeth Coll | Vein Institute of New Jersey
Elizabeth Coll is a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner. She is an expert in all things varicose veins. Her work has transformed the lives of many, practicing in Hoboken, Clifton, Westfield, and Shrewsbury. Elizabeth has collaborated with local businesses like Ken Pilates and continues to shine a light on local businesses in between treatments.
Maria ‘Peggy’ Diaz | Hoboken Fire Department
Born and raised Hoboken resident, Maria “Peggy” Diaz is a former U.S. Navy Airman and firefighter in Hoboken. In 2002, Peggy made history as the first female and Latina firefighter in Hoboken, and in 2011 she became a fire captain. Peggy’s love for the community and direct helping hands have saved lives while making a positive impact on her hometown. Peggy is a mother, sister, daughter, and friend to many.
Kate Lombardo | YogaRenew
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Kate Lombardo is a born-and-raised Jersey girl, mother of two, and director and lead trainer of YogaRenew in Hoboken. All of Kate’s work is rooted in her number one goal: to help people live happier, healthier lives each and every day. Kate does so through online and IRL yoga courses, money mentorship, and community events.
Susan Metz | Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, + Inclusion at Stevens
Susan Metz is the Executive Director of DEI at Stevens Institute of Technology. She has also served as the Executive Director of the Lore-El Center for Women in Engineering and Science, launching WEPAN (Women in Engineering Proactive Network) in 1990 to help women in STEM fields. Over the years, Susan has helped secure close to $10 million in funds and was even the recipient of the Maria Mitchell Association’s Women in Science Award.
Raakhee Mirchandani | Author + Activist
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Raakhee Mirchandani is a journalist, author, activist, mother, and Hoboken resident. Most notably, she has written children's books celebrating the valiant efforts of Kamala Harris. She also hosts a podcast called “Brown Mom” where she discusses notable experiences about being Brown in America. Raakhee also runs races to raise money to fight pediatric cancer.
See More: 38 Women Community Leaders Making a Difference in Montclair, New Jersey
Women of the Local + State Government
Behind the scenes of our beloved communities is an entire team of people, many of whom are women, operating New Jersey’s local governmental efforts. These women help keep the Garden State and Hudson County (the place we call home) running.
Hudson County Elected Officials
- Yraida Aponte Lipski | Board of Chosen Commissioners District 4
- Fanny E. Cedeño | Board of Chosen Commissioners Pro-Tempore District 6
- Caridad Rodriguez | Board of Chosen Commissioners District 7
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
