Project Readiness Leadership Team

​Jen Scarpati, Founder & Executive Director

I'm a mother of two boys, an attorney, and I'm passionate about both community service and education. 

A wise person once said to me: "No one can ever take away someone's education," and I take that very seriously. Schooling can and should be a youngster's most valuable asset, and I believe that no child's economic status should determine his or her academic trajectory. No child should walk into school fearing the stigma of having inadequate school supplies. No child should be expected to excel in school without the proper tools. 

Prior to co-founding Project Readiness, I worked to pair children with backpacks full of age-appropriate school supplies through Volunteers of America's Operation Backpack in NYC, and through a grassroots effort at Nourish NJ. In working with Nourish NJ, I was struck at the magnitude of the need in Morris County and Project Readiness was born.

Danielle Roth, Director of Procurement

Bronwyn Fraser, Co-Director of Donor Engagement

Michelle Siddons, Co-Director of Donor Engagement

I have lived in Mountain Lakes for the past fourteen years with our three daughters, a fluffy Wheaten terrier and my husband of twenty years. I grew up in Morris country, have my undergraduate degree from Colgate University, and my masters in Education from Seton Hall. I own my own college counseling and test prep business, am a member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) as well as NTPA (National Test Prep Association). I play tennis, golf and paddle which helps keeps me sane, connect with old friends, make new ones and enjoy the weather. I have served on the board for Project Readiness for several years.

Mark Hoffman, Treasurer

As a resident of Morris County since 1993, I see the proximity of wealth and poverty, and I’m grateful that I can help bridge the opportunity gap for children as Treasurer of Project Readiness. 

After the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, I enjoyed two careers of over two decades each: first in investments and then as a public school History Teacher. I’m also a Trustee and Treasurer of the Mountain Lakes Public Library, and I volunteer as a tutor to adults studying for the US Citizenship interview.

Swimming and cycling make me feel like a child (in a good way), so I do both as often as I can.

Amy Dow, Director of Social Media

Katie Burke, Trustee

Terry Connolly, Trustee

As CEO of nourish.NJ, whose mission is to provide immediate access to healthy food as the first step toward building stable futures, I have seen first hand the lifelong impact of providing underresourced students with the supplies and support they need to succeed in school. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, an adjunct professor for the Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work, a passionate advocate, and a frequent presenter on topics including food justice, housing first programs, trauma-informed care and non-profit administration. In my personal life I can often be found with my nose in a book, taking a yoga class or spending time with my husband and two children.

Cara Dahms, Trustee

Karen Macleod, Trustee

Mary Menard, Trustee

I grew up in Mountain Lakes, attended UCDavis -graduating with a BA degree in International Relations. I worked in medical sales in California and Colorado before transferring back to NJ. I married my husband, Tom, had 2 kids and started my career in residential real estate 27 years ago. I have always been involved in supporting local charities as a way of giving back to the community to which I am so grateful. I am the

membership chair of the League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes, a member of Impact 100 and part of the leadership team of The Town Club of Mountain Lakes.

Project Readiness is a cause dear to me because I value education and know it needs to be accessible for all! In my free time, I love to play tennis, paddle, go to Orange

Theory Fitness and walk my dog.

Andrew Schinder, Trustee

Hayley Stein, Trustee

Cara Tellie, Trustee

As a longtime Morris County resident, I am raising my three children here with my husband, Wes. I am an attorney and serve in a leadership role at Wintrust Financial, where I focus on legal, risk, and governance matters. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and cheering on my kids from the sidelines.

Through my involvement with Project Readiness, I have seen how community and business partnerships can help provide students and families with the resources they need. I am proud to serve on the Board of Trustees and support its mission of providing students across New Jersey with the school supplies and support they need to succeed.