PRESIDENT: Henrietta Shannon is a Licensed Social Worker employed at the Jersey City Medical Center Child Outpatient Psychiatry Department where she provides individual and family counseling to inner city youth and their families. She also maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Manhattan. Before becoming a Social Worker Henrietta was involved in the Social Service and Non-Profit sector for more than 10 years working as a grassroots activist, community organizer, program director and most recently (1997-2000) as the Executive Director of the Peace Center in El Salvador Central America. In these diverse positions she has worked with inner city communities to address such issues as: violence, public health and human rights.

VICE PRESIDENT: Cornelia Burns Geraghty, an elementary school teacher and mother of four, holds undergraduate degrees in Speech/Theater Arts and Elementary Education and  a Master's Degree in Teaching. Ms. Geraghty, a near life-long native of Bogota, New Jersey, spent four years living and teaching in Brooklyn, New York, where she assisted with several community projects in the inner city. She has worked extensively with children in many capacities including as the organizer of a children's theater group and as a girl scout leader. She also serves as an organizer of the annual Hackensack Run for Action Against Hunger.

TREASURER: Meghan Hudson is the Director of Financial Services for FJC - A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds where she works with donors to increase the impact of their charitable dollars. Prior to FJC, Meghan developed Arts and Cultural programming for the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts in Long Island, NY.  Through BACCA, she was very involved in Art Advocacy and worked with community and state officials to secure funding for a number of Arts related programs. In total, Meghan has over 10 years experience within the non-profit sector. Personally, Meghan is a painter and fine artist and has enjoyed teaching painting and drawing classes to children and adults for many years.

SECRETARY: Elaine Papa was owner and president of E. Papa Associates Advertising and Public Relations agency from 1985 – 2001.  She is experienced in planning and implementing advertising and public relations strategies for a wide range of businesses including health care, telecommunications, hospitality, and business to business. Ms. Papa is currently active in the non-profit sector, handling public relations for the Bergen Museum of Art & Science in Paramus, New Jersey.  This pro-bono position includes writing and distributing press releases to local media contacts as well as interacting with the press on behalf of the museum.  She is also a client advocate for the Center for Food Action in both Elmwood Park and Mahwah, New Jersey.  Her responsibilities include interviewing low income clients at these food pantries, compiling intake information and making referrals to other social service agencies for assistance for these needy families.

Marla Arrington, a teacher since 1998, is currently employed with the Paterson Public School system.  Marla delivers science instruction and enrichment to approximately 200 middle schools students at Paterson Public School 7.  She is enthusiastic about creating green spaces and strives to create learning opportunities, which are both practical and instantly impact the lives of students and the community of Paterson.  Marla was a 2006-2007 NJ Governor Teacher of the Year Award recipient and is a Member of the School Leadership Council.

Kashon Burden is a veteran teacher, and current serves as the Environmental Resource Coordinator / Community Service Liaison for the Paterson Public Schools. She is responsible for developing environmentally oriented educational programs for K-8  coordinating with community non-profit environmental organizations to execute environmental field events, and serving as community liaison to enable students, teachers, and parents to work in conjunction for achieving valuable educational goals. She maintains communication with staff, parents and students to ensure continued student success. In addition, she facilitates the platform for partnerships between Paterson Public Schools and local businesses, organizations, and churches.

Raymond Edel has worked as the "From the Ground Up" columnist for the The Record for the past three years. He also writes the “Compostings” blog for that newspaper. Raymond is a certified master gardener and serves as the First Vice President in the Master Gardener of Passaic County Association. He currently is in charge of the herb garden at Hamilton House Museum in Clifton and does volunteer work at Morris Canal Park and Garrett Mountain. He is well-known and popular speaker on gardening issues in the region.

Mitchell Kahn is Professor of Social Work at the School of Social Science and Human Services at Ramapo College of New Jersey. He has served as the Director of the BSW Program since 1980. Since 1981 Mitchell has been the Executive Director of the Bergen County Housing Coalition in Hackensack, NJ.  From 1977 to the present he has been the Vice President and Director of Organizing of the New Jersey Tenants Organization, an organization advocating for tenants’ rights in the state of New Jersey.  Mitch is a Founding Board Member of New Jersey Citizen Action, a citizen watchdog coalition, encouraging active involvement of New Jersey residents on issues that impact their lives. He is author of New Jersey Tenant Organizing Handbook (Hackensack, N.J.: NJTO, 3 editions: 1996, 2000, 2004) as well as numerous articles on social work and housing issues.  He has also authored the web publication The Rent Control Toolkit. He also is one of the coordinators of the National Social Work Educators Environmental Sustainability Group.

Chris Scarlata is Design Director for Comedy Central’s On-Air Promotions Department. Chris graduated from Rutgers University with degrees in Fine Art: Graphic Design and Political Science and has gone on to pursue a career in Broadcast Design and animation. Currently, Chris is the Design Director for Comedy Central's On-Air Promotions Department where he and his team of designers and animators work to develop and maintain the Comedy Central brand and support the production and marketing challenges across the cable network. Having grown up in New Jersey, the stark contrast of the state's dense industry centers and its beautiful natural areas has inspired Chris to assist in City Green's efforts in any way that he can.

Jaylin Thomas holds a BA in Political Science from Stockton College and an MS in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s John Heinz III School of Public Policy.  While a graduate student she took 1st Place in the Institute for Social Innovation’s Social Business Plan Competition.  She has worked as an after school information specialist in the 3 Rivers Connect Project (Pittsburg) and the Environmental Justice Projects Coordinator in the New Voice Program where she researched, reviewed and developed relevant environmental policies and practices which impact the reproductive health of women of color. Currently she is working as a Manager for the McMaster-Carr Supply Company. Ms. Thomas is now residing in her hometown of Paterson where she is committed to social programming that takes into account the linkages between greenspace, environmental justice, health, and poverty.

Executive Director

Jennifer Papa is the founder and executive director of City Green, Inc. Ms. Papa maintains communications with all partner organizations; develops programs for each site; oversees curriculum development and implementation; oversees garden production and maintenance; solicits in-kind donations for programs; coordinates volunteers and oversees City Green staff and interns. Jennifer is a life long gardener, a member of the National Gardening Association and the American Community Gardening Association, and is a volunteer gardener at Skylands Botanical Gardens in Ringwood, NJ. She is a founder and member of the Executive Board of Eat Local Inc. founders of the first Farmer’s Market in Ringwood, New Jersey. Ms. Papa was the Media Director of E. Papa Associates Advertising and Public Relations from 1991-2000.  She was responsible for researching media vehicles for clients, including print, radio and cable, as well as creating and implementing media plans with budgets up to $500,000.  From November 2001 to July 2004 Jennifer was the Assistant to the Dean of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at Ramapo College of New Jersey.  Responsibilities included managing the MALS office, overseeing the program budget, recruiting new students.  She is the recipient of The Garden Crusade Award (Garden Supply Co.) and the Frank Ambrogio Environmental Award (Paterson Rotary Club) for contribution to Paterson’s community.