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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.”

Annemarie Hochkeppel has dedicated her professional life to supporting and enhancing values-based educational communities. She brings strategic leadership, a customer-first approach, and strong expertise in sales and development to every role she takes on, creating solutions that transform the lives of students, families, and educators. With extensive experience building trusted relationships with schools, dioceses, and other community partners, Annemarie aligns needs with impactful, lasting solutions. Most recently, she served as Director of Business Development at FACTS Management, where she helped advance innovative educational initiatives and fostered meaningful client relationships. Previously at Catapult Learning, Annemarie focused on advancing educational outcomes, building trusted partnerships, and leading programs that drove meaningful growth.

 

Annemarie is excited to assume the role of Major Gifts Officer at Tri-County Scholarship Fund, having been committed to the organization’s mission for nearly a decade, most recently serving as a trustee. Her contributions to Tri-County’s mission have been profound, leading and working on several committees and events.

 

Personally, Annemarie is most proud of her family, her husband Michael and children Hunter and Addison.

 

“Values-based education transforms not just individuals, but the future,” says Annemarie. “Every program, every connection, and every moment of support has the potential to make a meaningful difference in someone’s journey of learning and success. To be part of that journey is a privilege and a calling.”

Cristie Woodard has spent over 25 years in the event industry including 15 years as owner of Plan-it Productions, servicing clients in New York City, New Jersey, and Napa Valley. Cristie uses her extensive experience planning, coordinating, and running Tri-County fundraising and mission awareness events. She works closely with corporate event sponsors, donors and trustees to ensure a positive and uplifting experience. 

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Cristie is a graduate of Boston College with a degree in Theater Arts and Communications. Before her career in events, she spent many years as a stage actress in Boston and New York City.

 

Over the years she has volunteered for the Huntington Arts Council in Long Island and for The New Jersey Youth Chorus in Berkeley Heights where her daughter sang for 8 years.  

Cristie resides in Long Valley New Jersey with her daughter Alexa.

 

“Tri County speaks to me on a very personal level. For many years my parents helped raise funds for Mary Help of Christians Academy so I have seen first-hand the impact these scholarships and a good education can make. There is nothing better than seeing a young person’s world of opportunity grow…they will be our future."

Gaby has volunteered for various charitable organizations since a young age. While living in her native country of Mexico, she motivated, trained and led groups of students in different kinds of missionary activities where they could help the most unfortunate.

 

As Tri-County’s Alumni and Student Coordinator, Gaby’s role is to maintain contact with Tri-County graduates and to connect our students and grads with opportunities to share the stories of their personal journeys, to mentor younger scholarship students and to pursue career opportunities. She loves working with students and graduates, helping them reach their full potential. 

 

Gaby earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Anahuac Mayab and an MBA in Strategic Leadership from San Pablo CEU in Madrid. She and her husband George reside in Bedminster and have three young children.

 

“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 establish 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.

Christin Babic spent years in children’s media, project managing promotions and branding for Nickelodeon and Starz before pausing to focus on her three young children. Government appointed township committees, teaching CCD, running the local chapter of an international MOMS Club, as well as heavy involvement in Newcomers Club and her children’s schools has played a central role in her last 12 years. The common thread between these roles has been connecting community members to each other and enriching the environment around our youth. 

 

“A group can be doing wonderful things in this world, but if people don’t know about it their success will be limited. I see great potential here to help share Tri-County’s story with our local community and connect them to the cause. This scholarship fund directly impacts families who are not only in need of support but show fierce American spirit to work hard and progress generation over generation. Tri-County Scholarship Fund has a powerful model to help these strong families and it is an honor to spread the word of its successes."

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.