Harry S. Pozycki, Esq.
(Board Chair) Founder & Chairman, The Citizen Service, recognized leader in local government law, public policy, and civic innovation
Harry Pozycki is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Citizen Service. Mr. Pozycki is an acclaimed leader in law, public policy, government and citizen rights. Among his varied and diverse activities, he founded and managed a law firm specializing in planning and environmental law, was instrumental in drafting and advancing legislation expanding citizens’ rights, authored Citizen Power, a practical primer for citizens to participate in government beyond the ballot, and designed a new model for civics education. He is a graduate of Brown University and holds a law degree from Fordham Law School.
Dr. John Silvanus Wilson Jr.
Executive Director, McGraw Center for Educational Leadership, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
Dr. Wilson is an exceptional and skilled leader in the academic world and is a recognized authority on the Black experience. He is a former president of Morehouse College and served as Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities under President Obama. He has also served in noted leadership positions at MIT and George Washington University, and as a senior advisor to the president of Harvard University. He has a B.A. degree from Morehouse College, an M.T.S. degree from Harvard Divinity School and Ed.M. and Ed.D. degrees from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Lillian Borrone
(Treasurer) Retired Assistant Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Appointed to US Commission on Ocean Policy by President George Bush
Lillian Borrone is a respected transportation industry leader. Her professional career has included senior policy and executive positions at both the federal and regional governmental levels and as an advisor to distinguished private sector and non-profit companies and organizations. Ms. Borrone was appointed by President Bush to serve on the US Commission on Ocean Policy and by NJ Governor Donald DiFrancesco as Director of Recovery and Victim Assistance following the attacks on 9/11.
Joan Verplanck
(Board Secretary) President, Profit by Association LLC, entrepreneur and consultant; past President of the New Jersey and Delaware State Chambers of Commerce
Joan Verplanck is an entrepreneur and consultant. At the present time, she serves as Development Director for Susan G. Komen North Jersey, charged with raising funds for this breast cancer research organization. She is a past President of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. As the New Jersey Chamber’s first female president, Joan represented the business community on a wide range of critical issues. She is recognized as an influential leader in business, politics and women’s affairs and is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.
Enrique Alonso
Principal, SJP Properties, Inc., New York City; formerly a Director for the National Basketball Association in Latin America; and a Case Team Leader at Bain & Company.
Enrique has an extensive background and top skills in the real estate field, strategic consulting, business strategy and corporate development. At SJP, Enrique is charged with managing the company’s Family Office, where he seeks out socially conscious investment and philanthropic opportunities. Previously, Enrique was a Director for the National Basketball Association in Latin America and a Case Team Leader at Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm. Enrique has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Amherst College and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Dennis Bone
Retired President, Verizon, NJ; Director, Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship, Montclair State University
Dennis Bone was President and CEO at Verizon New Jersey Inc. for over a dozen years and in this role helped guide Verizon through unprecedented advances in telecommunications technologies. Upon retirement, Mr. Bone was asked to become the inaugural director of the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship at Montclair State University. Mr. Bone is recognized statewide as an influential leader in economic and business development serving on various public and private boards and commissions, and under several administrations.
Matthew Boxer, Esq.
Chair, Corporate Investigations and Integrity Practice, Lowenstein Sandler LLP; served as New Jersey’s first independent State Comptroller.
As Chair of Lowenstein Sandler’s Corporate Investigations and Integrity practice, Matt Boxer applies his public service experience in representing private clients in government and internal investigations. Mr. Boxer is widely recognized for his impressive track record of leading fair and effective government investigations while serving as New Jersey’s first independent State Comptroller.
Dr. Michael Delli Carpini
Retired, Dean, Annenberg School for Communications at the University of Pennsylvania; scholar of American politics and book author; former Director, Pew Charitable Trusts
Dr. Michael Delli Carpini recently retired as Dean of The Annenberg School for Communications at the University of Pennsylvania. He has a notable career having served as Director of the Public Policy Program for the Pew Charitable Trusts and as a faculty member at Columbia University, Barnard College and Rutgers University. Dr. Delli Carpini is an acclaimed scholar of American politics, public opinion research and mass media and the author of several books.
Vivian Fernandez
Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Vivian is a visionary leader with over two decades of experience driving transformative human resources strategies in higher education. Under her leadership, Rutgers has earned recognition as a mainstay on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Large Employers. She has worked to advance the interests of all in the workplace at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Northern Arizona University and TCNJ. Ms. Fernandez has a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Melvin Forbes
President and CEO, Forbes Consulting, Inc.; Chairman, The U.S. Army Advisory Board
Mr. Forbes began his career at just 19 years old at NASA Space Center. Since that time, he has served in many capacities including advisor, strategist and CEO. He has expertise in telecommunications and information technology and has been tapped for his wide knowledge and experience to serve the public interest under two US Presidents, three state governors and currently as Chairman of The U.S. Army Advisory Board. Forbes maintains a diversified education in Information Technology and Business Management including an executive specialization from Harvard University.
The Honorable Douglas R. Forrester
Chairman & CEO, Integrity Health; public service as an Assistant State Treasurer, as his hometown mayor, and as a Republican nominee for US Senate and NJ Governor.
Douglas R. Forrester is the Chairman & CEO of Integrity Health, a health benefits management company. Mr. Forrester has had a distinguished record of public service. He served as Assistant State Treasurer under New Jersey Governor Tom Kean, as mayor of his home town of West Windsor, NJ, and as the Republican nominee in New Jersey for United States Senator in 2002 and Governor in 2005. Mr. Forrester is a graduate of Harvard University and holds a M.Div. in Theology and Politics from Princeton Seminary.
Carlos Lejnieks
CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties.
Carlos Lejnieks is CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties. Under his leadership, BBBS has received numerous awards including a formal recognition by President Obama. Carlos is a recognized leader and devoted community volunteer. He has served as an advisor on state and federal policy related to youth and family support for the New Jersey Governor’s Council, President Obama’s Regional Finance Committee and New Jersey Governors’ Chris Christie and Phil Murphys’ Transition Teams. He was the first person of Latinx heritage to serve as President of the Alumni Association of his college alma mater. Carlos holds a BA from Brown University and an MSc from the London School of Economics.
Tara Mullins
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, Ogilvy Health
Ogilvy Health is focused on providing services to its clients in the healthcare industry. Ms. Mullins specializes in media relations, executive visibility, issues management and brand communications in the healthcare environment. Tara understands social media platforms and the impacts on businesses and the general public that rely on these platforms for information. Ms. Mullins is a graduate of Marist College with a B.A. in Public Relations and Business.
Bart Oates
Executive Director, CIT International
CIT International is dedicated to improving emergency response systems to mental health crises and Bart is a passionate behavioral healthcare advocate. Bart is also a 3-time Super Bowl champion and a skilled and respected leader both on and off the playing field. He is former President of the NFL Alumni Association and former Chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Bart received a B.A. degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and he’s an honors graduate of Seton Hall Law School.
Verdis Robinson
Community College Civic Consultant & Public Historian; Kettering Foundation Associate
Verdis Robinson is a professor, scholar, author, lecturer, pastor and voice performer. His research and scholarship focus on American history and democracy with a specialty in African-American Studies. Mr. Robinson has worked with national organizations including Campus Compact and The Democracy Commitment to advance civic education and student engagement in America’s colleges. Mr. Robinson is committed to sharing his rich background and deep knowledge of US history with community college students in urban, underserved areas across the nation. Mr. Robinson has a B.S. in History, cum laude and an M.A. from SUNY College at Brockport, and a Master’s in African-American Studies from SUNY at Buffalo.
Pamela Scott-Johnson, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Spelman College; former provost, Monmouth University; former Dean, California State University; former psychology Department Chair & Interim Dean, Morgan State University
Dr. Scott-Johnson is a highly respected and committed administrator, teacher, scholar, and scientist. She has served in several leadership positions in academia and has been lauded for her scholarship and skills. She has served as provost at Monmouth University; Dean at California State University, and former psychology Department Chair & Interim Dean at Morgan State University. She has a Ph.D. & M.A. from Princeton University and a B.A. from Spelman College
Curtis Tao, Esq.
Managing Director & Associate General Counsel, Citigroup, Inc., expert in regulatory banking and securities law; clerked in the Seventh Circuit, Federal Court of Appeals and for former Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Curtis Tao is Managing Director and Associate General Counsel for Citigroup, Inc. in New York City. He is an expert in regulatory banking and securities law. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and Rutgers Law School. Mr. Tao clerked in the Seventh Circuit of the Federal Court of Appeals and for the Honorable Deborah T. Poritz, Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Maria Vizcarrondo
President & CEO, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers; distinguished long term service in appointed and elected offices in New Jersey; first Director, Department of Human and Family Services under Mayor Cory Booker in Newark.
Ms. Vizcarrondo has more than 25 years of experience working in the social service and educational fields. She has provided valuable leadership in transforming service organizations and has served her communities in both appointed and elected official capacities. Ms. Vizcarrondo was Director of Community Development and External Relations at Cabrini College in Pennsylvania and the first Director of Mayor Cory Booker’s newly established department of Human and Family Services in the city of Newark, New Jersey. In her career, she has also served as President and CEO of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson, making her the first woman to head a Metro I United Way raising 10 million dollars or more in New Jersey.
David Wilkinson, Esq.
Executive Director, Tobin Center for Economic Policy at Yale University
David Wilkinson is the founding Executive Director for the Tobin Center for Economic Policy at Yale University. He is a former senior Obama White House official with oversight over the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service. He was also the official responsible for leading cross-sector efforts to identify and scale better, more effective social solutions. President Obama created the office to “find what works, and make it work for more people.” Mr. Wilkinson has also served two Connecticut Governors in cabinet-level roles. Mr. Wilkinson has won national recognition for advancing innovations in government, which have won broad, bipartisan support. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Yale University Law School.
Dr. Joseph Youngblood, II
Senior Vice President for External Affairs at Kean University; Policy Advisor to the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association.
Dr. Joseph Youngblood is the Senior Vice President for External Affairs at Kean University. Dr. Youngblood’s career has long involved work in public education, law, and public policy, including serving as Policy Advisor to the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association. Dr. Youngblood earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and as a recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Next Generation Leadership Fellowship, completed a two-year study of American and international themes in democracy.
Charles Clarkson
Board Counsel
Charles Clarkson serves as Counsel to the Board of Trustees of The Citizens Campaign. Mr. Clarkson brings a wealth of experience to his role as Corporate Counsel having served as Vice President, Deputy Counsel and Corporate Secretary of TLC Beatrice International Holdings, Inc., a multi-billion-dollar, international food company. In private practice, Mr. Clarkson specialized in representing minority-owned businesses in transactions with government agencies and commercial lending institutions. Since his retirement from Beatrice, Mr. Clarkson has been the Project Director of the Senior Medicare Patrol of New Jersey, a national program of the federal government with a goal of educating Medicare recipients to become better healthcare consumers.
Rev. Deforest B. Soaries, Jr.
(Trustee Emeritus) Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens; public service as New Jersey Secretary of State and was appointed by President Bush to Chair the United States Election Commission.
Reverend DeForest “Buster” Soaries, Jr. is a Baptist minister, former state government leader, author and public advocate. He has been the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens since 1990 and is a proponent and successful advocate of faith-based community development. Rev. Soaries served as Secretary of State of New Jersey under then-Governor Christine Todd Whitman and is a former chairman of the United States Election Commission.
Michel Marks
(Trustee Emeritus) New York Mercantile Exchange
As Chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange, the Exchange grew from modest size to the fourth largest Mercantile Exchange in the world.