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Drawn to the organization’s mission since attending her first Tri-County event, and becoming a trustee in 2014, Prudence currently serves as President of Tri-County Scholarship Fund. Prudence has a background in philanthropic fundraising, for Morristown Medical Center and for education related causes, including for Oak Knoll and Delbarton Schools and for the Princeton University Parents’ Fund. 

 

Previously Prudence worked as an independent college guidance counselor, helping high school students to realize their goals. Prior to raising four children, Prudence worked in Fixed Income investments with Bankers Trust, and as a marketing executive with Ogilvy and Mather Advertising in New York, principally on the American Express account.  Prudence graduated with a BA from Stanford University. She holds an MBA and a Certificate in College Guidance Counselling from UCLA.

 

“Education is the answer to so many of the problems in our country," says Prudence. "Tri-County scholarships fulfill the promise of American opportunity, and reinforce for each child that they matter; that we believe in them. In this way Tri-County is a very real and powerful force of positive change for our community and for our state. For me, it is also the most personally rewarding cause I can think of."    

Mike’s responsibilities include the review of all scholarship applications and distribution of scholarship awards, working directly with Tri-County families and partner schools. Mike is also responsible for the Tri-County donor management database and software, using data collection and analysis to assist the President.

 

Mike graduated from Rutgers University in 2004 with a BA in Statistics/Math and has been with Tri-County Scholarship Fund since then, assuming increasing responsibility over his 15+ year career. Mike and his wife, Carmen, have two young sons.

 

“Tri-County is an important way to help New Jersey families with the greatest financial need. We get to know these families, and we know the schools. I believe in the difference a quality education can make and the opportunities that it can open.”

Rachel LoCurto spent 10 years working for the Federal Government as an Intelligence Analyst before switching to non-profit work in 2020. Rachel’s previous non-profit and volunteer experience focused heavily on event management and donor cultivation. Rachel has a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from New York University and a MA in International Relations from George Washington University.

 

"I whole-heartedly believe that access to quality education should not be determined by income or zip code. Tri-County Scholarship Fund makes this possible for so many students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to receive a quality education."

Gaby has volunteered for different organizations since a young age, she motivated, trained and led groups of students to different kinds of activities where they could help the most unfortunate, in remote areas of Mexico. She loves working with students helping them reach their full potential.

 

She is from Mexico, has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Anahuac Mayab and a MBA in Strategic Leadership from San Pablo CEU in Madrid.

 

“As the recipient of scholarships through most of my education in Mexico, I feel a special affinity to the mission of Tri-County. I want to contribute and give the same opportunity I had to more families and to stablish a long lasting relationship between Tri-County and students” 

Kim Lopez worked in the field of engineering for corporations over several years before she started to work extensively as a volunteer for non-profits while raising her family. Having a natural affinity for technology as well as communication, she uses her strong design, logic and writing skills to help Tri-County create a wide range of messaging and information for the web, social media, and print.

 

“Education was always a hallmark of my upbringing,” says Kim. “I was lucky to live in an area where I could attend safe, caring schools that provided a clear path for my achievement. I fully understand that this is not an option for low-income families who do not have the same financial means. I want to help provide that option.” 

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Kim has a BS degree in electrical engineering from Rutgers University. She and her husband Jorge have four children.

Jody Varvaro was a banker for 17 years before exiting to raise her family. During that time she volunteered extensively at her sons' schools and when the time was right, reentered the workforce as a production coordinator and inside sales representative for a local advertising publication. At Tri-County Scholarship Fund she is the Administrative Support and Project Coordinator. 

 

"Education is the key to changing society and helping the world. We have seen how education has impacted our own lives and empowered us to share our knowledge with others, and give back to our communities and society. Tri-County scholarships give students the opportunity to acquire a quality education so that they, too, can share their knowledge with others and make their local communities, society and the world a better place."  

 

Jody has a BA in Government from Smith College. She and her husband Charles have two adult sons.

Dave Snyder develops grant funding for Tri-County from private, family, and corporate foundations. He brings a wealth of grant development experience consulting dozens of NY/NJ education and health-focused non-profits.  

 

After earning a BA in Sociology, Dave worked with low-income families for 4 years in rural Venezuela, the Peruvian Amazon, and South Bronx. After acquiring a MA in Communications from NYU, he managed client accounts for communications groups for several years serving corporations and agencies in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and technology arenas.

 

“What attracts me about Tri-County,” says Dave, “is that we provide a long-term solution to poverty that has proven to work outstandingly well. Supporters become increasingly committed as they learn about Tri-County’s long-term impact.”

 

Dave and his wife, Laurel, a public speaking consultant, enjoy working closely with Tri-County alumni helping them effectively communicate their message. The Snyders have 2 adult children.