Our Board of Trustees
Executive Board
President: Nick Lawrence
Nick loves Washington Park! He and his family moved to Jersey City Heights ten years ago and have never looked back. Before being elected president in 2019, Nick served on the WPA board for four years, the last three serving as treasurer on the executive board. He has collaborated with other community leaders to organize annual community forums for the Jersey City Board of Education elections, worked to revive the Washington Park Summer Series (Washington Park Wednesdays!), and facilitated the reorganization of the WPA board under new leadership in the winter of 2019.
By day Nick works as an assistant principal in the Bronx, NY.
Nick loves Washington Park! He and his family moved to Jersey City Heights ten years ago and have never looked back. Before being elected president in 2019, Nick served on the WPA board for four years, the last three serving as treasurer on the executive board. He has collaborated with other community leaders to organize annual community forums for the Jersey City Board of Education elections, worked to revive the Washington Park Summer Series (Washington Park Wednesdays!), and facilitated the reorganization of the WPA board under new leadership in the winter of 2019.
By day Nick works as an assistant principal in the Bronx, NY.
Vice President: Laura Healy-Santo
Laura was born and raised down the shore but has called Jersey City her home for many years now. She was drawn to volunteering with Washington Park as she admires the work that the WPA does to foster community as well as its efforts towards beautifully maintaining several gardens throughout the park. Laura earned her Bachelor’s Degrees from Fordham University and her MBA from Saint Peter’s University. With her passionate interest in horticulture, she is currently pursuing a garden certificate with The New York Botanical Garden. Professionally, Laura has a diverse background holding positions in publishing, entertainment and pharma. She, her husband and son reside nearby the park and couldn’t be happier about being a part of the WPA community.
Laura was born and raised down the shore but has called Jersey City her home for many years now. She was drawn to volunteering with Washington Park as she admires the work that the WPA does to foster community as well as its efforts towards beautifully maintaining several gardens throughout the park. Laura earned her Bachelor’s Degrees from Fordham University and her MBA from Saint Peter’s University. With her passionate interest in horticulture, she is currently pursuing a garden certificate with The New York Botanical Garden. Professionally, Laura has a diverse background holding positions in publishing, entertainment and pharma. She, her husband and son reside nearby the park and couldn’t be happier about being a part of the WPA community.
Treasurer: Mike Sihksnel
Originally from Long Island, New York, Mike moved to Jersey City in 2014. He currently serves as a Vice President of Regulatory Change at a major Japanese financial institution. In 2019, he moved to North Street just bordering the Park and began serving on the board in 2020. In his free time you will most likely find him tinkering with some piece of technology or lamenting his regrettably poor choices of fandom for sports teams.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Mike moved to Jersey City in 2014. He currently serves as a Vice President of Regulatory Change at a major Japanese financial institution. In 2019, he moved to North Street just bordering the Park and began serving on the board in 2020. In his free time you will most likely find him tinkering with some piece of technology or lamenting his regrettably poor choices of fandom for sports teams.
Secretary: Jennifer Birge
After growing up in Southern Indiana, Jennifer moved to New Jersey in 1995 to attend graduate school at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. After graduating, she moved to Orlando to work for Walt Disney World, but moved back to New Jersey...specifically Jersey City Heights...in 2001. Jennifer is a theatrical stage manager by trade, and worked many years on Broadway, off-Broadway, national and international tours for such esteemed companies as Walt Disney Entertainment, Lincoln Center Theatre, Tribeca Film Festival, the American Theatre Wing, and Cirque du Soleil. In 2013, Jennifer moved from the southern edge to the northern edge of the Jersey City Heights...just a couple of blocks from Washington Square Park.
Jennifer has worked for New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study as the Director of Production since 2008.
After growing up in Southern Indiana, Jennifer moved to New Jersey in 1995 to attend graduate school at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. After graduating, she moved to Orlando to work for Walt Disney World, but moved back to New Jersey...specifically Jersey City Heights...in 2001. Jennifer is a theatrical stage manager by trade, and worked many years on Broadway, off-Broadway, national and international tours for such esteemed companies as Walt Disney Entertainment, Lincoln Center Theatre, Tribeca Film Festival, the American Theatre Wing, and Cirque du Soleil. In 2013, Jennifer moved from the southern edge to the northern edge of the Jersey City Heights...just a couple of blocks from Washington Square Park.
Jennifer has worked for New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study as the Director of Production since 2008.
Our Trustees
We are always searching for other like-minded community leaders. If you're interested in being on the Board of Trustees, please visit the Get Involved page on our website.
John Hu
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, John moved to New Jersey to study Chemical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. He’s stuck around the area ever since and works at a chemical plant for perfume/fragrance ingredients. Walks and jogs around Washington Park were part of his survival routine in 2020 and he happened to stumble upon a WPA garden maintenance session during one of his laps around the park. He still enjoys the occasional jog around Washington Park and finds garden maintenance quite therapeutic.
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, John moved to New Jersey to study Chemical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. He’s stuck around the area ever since and works at a chemical plant for perfume/fragrance ingredients. Walks and jogs around Washington Park were part of his survival routine in 2020 and he happened to stumble upon a WPA garden maintenance session during one of his laps around the park. He still enjoys the occasional jog around Washington Park and finds garden maintenance quite therapeutic.
Matthew Kaplan
Matthew Kaplan moved from NYC to Jersey City in 2017 with his now-wife Rebecca,
after they both completed their MBA degree at the New York University Stern School of
Business. Matthew is originally from Highland Park, NJ, but moved to Hoboken (and
then NYC) after graduating from Rutgers College and the Edward J. Bloustein School,
where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Planning & Public Policy. After
a few years in downtown Jersey City, Matthew and Rebecca got married and then
moved to The Heights to start their family. They have two young daughters, which has
only increased their love and appreciation of Washington Park and inspired Matthew to
join the WPA.
By day, Matthew runs a green building consulting company that he founded and
volunteers his time to various organizations and efforts focused on combating climate
change and social justice. He was a key member of the Energy Working Group that
created the Jersey City Climate Action Plan. Matthew is an avid snowboarder and
general outdoor enthusiast. He also enjoys scuba diving, surfing, gardening, cooking,
and traveling.
Matthew Kaplan moved from NYC to Jersey City in 2017 with his now-wife Rebecca,
after they both completed their MBA degree at the New York University Stern School of
Business. Matthew is originally from Highland Park, NJ, but moved to Hoboken (and
then NYC) after graduating from Rutgers College and the Edward J. Bloustein School,
where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Planning & Public Policy. After
a few years in downtown Jersey City, Matthew and Rebecca got married and then
moved to The Heights to start their family. They have two young daughters, which has
only increased their love and appreciation of Washington Park and inspired Matthew to
join the WPA.
By day, Matthew runs a green building consulting company that he founded and
volunteers his time to various organizations and efforts focused on combating climate
change and social justice. He was a key member of the Energy Working Group that
created the Jersey City Climate Action Plan. Matthew is an avid snowboarder and
general outdoor enthusiast. He also enjoys scuba diving, surfing, gardening, cooking,
and traveling.
Kat Parker
Kat Parker is an upstanding community member, active in various ways in and around Washington Park and Jersey City Heights. Joining the board in 2018, Kat has contributed to gardening, community programming in the park and community advocacy for seven years with the Washington Park Association.
By day Kat keeps bankers in check at a major national bank, working in compliance and ensuring our community members finance health is in order. By night, Kat supports WPA efforts and she recently helped to found the non-profit Feral Fixers, an organization that specializes in TNR for feral cats in the Heights Community. That's correct, she's a real life Katwoman.
Kat Parker is an upstanding community member, active in various ways in and around Washington Park and Jersey City Heights. Joining the board in 2018, Kat has contributed to gardening, community programming in the park and community advocacy for seven years with the Washington Park Association.
By day Kat keeps bankers in check at a major national bank, working in compliance and ensuring our community members finance health is in order. By night, Kat supports WPA efforts and she recently helped to found the non-profit Feral Fixers, an organization that specializes in TNR for feral cats in the Heights Community. That's correct, she's a real life Katwoman.
Eric Fleming
Eric is the acting director of the Office of Innovation and an Assistant Business Administrator for the Department of Administration for the City of Jersey City. Some of his projects include the construction of Pop Up Jackson Hill, where shipping containers were repurposed as retail storefronts for aspiring local entrepreneurs, the renovation of Oak Street Park, and the beautification of the #29 Schoolyard.
When he isn't drafting an ordinance or building a retail site out of shipping containers, it's about lacrosse. Eric joined Jersey City Lacrosse, an all-volunteer 501c3 organization with a mission to grow the game of lacrosse for all children regardless of means, in 2012. Two years later, he took over the program when the founder moved away and left the program in limbo. Eric now serves as its President, overseeing a program for boys and girls ages kindergarten through eighth grade. The program now has more than 200 participants across 6 teams, from 30 in 2012. And with its partner BelovED Charter School, Fleming will help to field the first lacrosse team at a public high school in city history as early as next year.
Fleming is active in local politics, serving as the Treasurer for the Steve Fulop campaign. He has been elected to two consecutive terms as a Committee person of the Democratic party and was most recently elected Secretary of the Jersey City Democratic Committee.
As a volunteer, he has served his city on the Planning Board of Jersey City, and on the board of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation. Eric also was elected as Treasurer of the Harsimus Cove Association and served 3 terms as its President.
Eric and his wife Jessica Isaacs opened Cocoa Bakery in downtown Jersey City in 2014 and opened a second location in the Heights in 2019. In his spare time, Eric enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and woodworking.
Eric graduated SUNY Buffalo with a Bachelors in Psychology and Anthropology. Eric is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Rotary.
Eric is the acting director of the Office of Innovation and an Assistant Business Administrator for the Department of Administration for the City of Jersey City. Some of his projects include the construction of Pop Up Jackson Hill, where shipping containers were repurposed as retail storefronts for aspiring local entrepreneurs, the renovation of Oak Street Park, and the beautification of the #29 Schoolyard.
When he isn't drafting an ordinance or building a retail site out of shipping containers, it's about lacrosse. Eric joined Jersey City Lacrosse, an all-volunteer 501c3 organization with a mission to grow the game of lacrosse for all children regardless of means, in 2012. Two years later, he took over the program when the founder moved away and left the program in limbo. Eric now serves as its President, overseeing a program for boys and girls ages kindergarten through eighth grade. The program now has more than 200 participants across 6 teams, from 30 in 2012. And with its partner BelovED Charter School, Fleming will help to field the first lacrosse team at a public high school in city history as early as next year.
Fleming is active in local politics, serving as the Treasurer for the Steve Fulop campaign. He has been elected to two consecutive terms as a Committee person of the Democratic party and was most recently elected Secretary of the Jersey City Democratic Committee.
As a volunteer, he has served his city on the Planning Board of Jersey City, and on the board of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation. Eric also was elected as Treasurer of the Harsimus Cove Association and served 3 terms as its President.
Eric and his wife Jessica Isaacs opened Cocoa Bakery in downtown Jersey City in 2014 and opened a second location in the Heights in 2019. In his spare time, Eric enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and woodworking.
Eric graduated SUNY Buffalo with a Bachelors in Psychology and Anthropology. Eric is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Rotary.
Kate Lawrence-Shetty, AICP, PP, Net Zero Lead, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Kate Lawrence-Shetty is the Net Zero Lead within the Office of Sustainability at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In this position, Kate coordinates planning efforts for meeting the agency's goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.
Prior to her position with the Port Authority, Kate worked as the Sustainability Director for the City of Jersey City, where she coordinated the creation and adoption of the City’s first-ever Climate and Energy Action Plan, conducted the city's first greenhouse gas inventory, and worked on a variety of environmental initiatives.
Kate can often be seen walking around the Heights seeking out coffee and pandebonos with her husband and two dogs,
Kate Lawrence-Shetty is the Net Zero Lead within the Office of Sustainability at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In this position, Kate coordinates planning efforts for meeting the agency's goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.
Prior to her position with the Port Authority, Kate worked as the Sustainability Director for the City of Jersey City, where she coordinated the creation and adoption of the City’s first-ever Climate and Energy Action Plan, conducted the city's first greenhouse gas inventory, and worked on a variety of environmental initiatives.
Kate can often be seen walking around the Heights seeking out coffee and pandebonos with her husband and two dogs,
Jennifer Lozada
Originally from Queens, New York, Jennifer moved to the heights in 2017 and never looked back. A dog mom who founded and spear heads The Heights Annual Howl-o-ween Dog Parade and everything dog friendly in the community. Professionally she worked in tech companies predominantly in sales and business marketing with a specialty in scaling businesses. She loves Washington Park, as a dog mom and new mom she is passionate about serving our wonderful community with enriching events. During her free time she loves to hike, dance and be active with her family and her dog Lexi. In the warmer months you can find her at the Washington Park dog run or working out in many of the parks in the neighborhood. Her next passion project is creating the first JC Book Bike to bring toddler story time to our local Heights Parks.
Originally from Queens, New York, Jennifer moved to the heights in 2017 and never looked back. A dog mom who founded and spear heads The Heights Annual Howl-o-ween Dog Parade and everything dog friendly in the community. Professionally she worked in tech companies predominantly in sales and business marketing with a specialty in scaling businesses. She loves Washington Park, as a dog mom and new mom she is passionate about serving our wonderful community with enriching events. During her free time she loves to hike, dance and be active with her family and her dog Lexi. In the warmer months you can find her at the Washington Park dog run or working out in many of the parks in the neighborhood. Her next passion project is creating the first JC Book Bike to bring toddler story time to our local Heights Parks.
Yvonne Dallam
Yvonne Dallam moved to Jersey City in 2011 and first came to Washington Park in 2014 after taking up residence a block away. She and her husband use the park with their young son on an almost daily basis. All three have come to love it as a locus for community, friendship, and nature to grow. Yvonne works as an actress, director, and arts educator in Jersey City and NYC. She believes strongly in the power of arts and story-telling to engage community and build partnership. She follows in the footsteps of her grandfather, Richard Teague, who served as a city parks commissioner in her native La Mesa, CA
Yvonne Dallam moved to Jersey City in 2011 and first came to Washington Park in 2014 after taking up residence a block away. She and her husband use the park with their young son on an almost daily basis. All three have come to love it as a locus for community, friendship, and nature to grow. Yvonne works as an actress, director, and arts educator in Jersey City and NYC. She believes strongly in the power of arts and story-telling to engage community and build partnership. She follows in the footsteps of her grandfather, Richard Teague, who served as a city parks commissioner in her native La Mesa, CA