PRESIDENT: Henrietta Shannon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker employed at the DOVE (Domestic Violence and Other Violent Emergencies) Program at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. Her responsibilities in the DOVE Program include providing crisis and long-term clinical services to survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. In addition, she is responsible for training and supervising the volunteer rape crisis counselors and providing training and education on Domestic Violence to medical staff and professionals at the hospital and the greater Washington Heights community. Previously Ms. Shannon worked at Jersey City Medical Center Child Outpatient Psychiatry Department where she provided individual and family counseling to inner city youth and their families. She also maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Jersey City. 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. Elaine’s experience over the past nine years includes a position as a  client advocate for the Center for Food Action in both Elmwood Park and Mahwah, New Jersey, holding a staff position for several years before going back to volunteering.  Her responsibilities include interviewing low income clients at these food pantries, compiling intake information and making referrals to other social service agencies for assistance. She is also currently serving on the Social Justice committee at OLM church in Park Ridge, New Jersey; and the publicity chairperson of the Pascack Valley Art Association. Elaine also handled public relations for the Bergen Museum of Art & Science in Paramus, New Jersey, including writing and distributing press releases to local media contacts as well as interacting with the press on behalf of the museum. Elaine’s combined business and non-profit experience has provided her with the ability to plan and implement marketing and public relations programs while also working hands-on within the non-profit environment.  

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 currently 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, a William Paterson College graduate, has worked at The Record newspaper of Bergen County since 1982.Since 1994, Ray has written a weekly radio column. He also has writes a gardening column (since 2005) titled “From The Ground Up,” which appears April-October in the The Record and Herald News. He is a member of the Garden Writers Association. In spring 2007, Raymond began a gardening blog found at northjersey.com/compostings. He is a certified Passaic County Master Gardener and is the 2010 president in the organization. Raymond is a member of the Garden Club of Clifton and the Clifton Beautification Committee. He is also a member of the Bergen Community College horticulture advisory board. Raymond is the caretaker of the Hamilton House Museum herb garden in Clifton. Raymond has taught various gardening classes at the Clifton Recreation Department. He regularly speaks to various organizations on behalf of the master gardeners and the newspaper and has appeared on various media outlets — including WOR-TV/Channel 9, WMBC-TV, WJUX-FM (103.1) WINS-AM (1010) and WVNJ-AM (1160).

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.

Michael Moriarty is a Structured Credit Analyst with Standard & Poor’s in NYC. Michael graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Quantitative Finance and Financial Economics. Since graduation, he has pursued a career in Structured Finance, working for a Fixed Income Hedge Fund, a Credit Derivative Product Company, and a Rating Agency. Since 2005, Michael has volunteered weekly as a tutor at the Jubilee Center in Hoboken, NJ. In 2009, Michael aided Paterson Habitat for Humanity in their ‘Green Sustainability’ initiative, aimed at integrating eco-friendly construction and Energy Star approved practices into their daily operations. He also volunteers with Bergen County’s Habitat for Humanity, working on their affordable housing construction projects.

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.