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  • Kevin Arias interns at Univision

    A junior majoring in Computer Science at Cornell University with a 3.0 GPA, Kevin Arias enjoyed a summer 2019 internship at Univision. Kevin says, “With this internship I feel I acquired a good deal of knowledge about the corporate world, while also learning about project management and data science.” In addition to his strong work ethic and computer science acumen, Kevin is deeply dedicated to helping others. He is grateful to Tri-County Scholarship for the support he received through high school, believing this prepared him for his experiences at Cornell and at Univision. “If it weren’t for Tri-County, I wouldn’t have been able to get through high school. They helped out a lot with the finances,” says Kevin.

  • Aaron McLean Shadows Medical Professionals at Pfizer

    Tri-County graduate Aaron McLean had the unique opportunity to meet and shadow medical professionals at Pfizer this summer. Aaron caught the eye of VP of Global Marketing, Rachel Olderman, who called him, in a word, “Amazing!” Pfizer’s US Medical Lead was so impressed that he encouraged Aaron to apply for a “rising college senior summer internship” at Pfizer next summer. It was during high school at DePaul Catholic that Aaron’s passion for medicine began to develop. Taking am impressive number of biology-related honors courses, including Anatomy & Physiology, Genetics, and AP Biology, led Aaron to realize he wanted to become a surgeon or cardiologist. Well on his way to accomplishing his goal, Aaron currently attends Rutgers Honors College in Newark. He is a rising junior Pre-Med with a minor in Spanish. Aaron is part of Rutgers’ highly selective, prestigious Honors College, receiving a full scholarship. “They expect a lot from me,” Aaron says, adding that instead of feeling stressed, he is putting his energy toward working hard to excel. Feeling fortunate to be part of the Tri-County family, Aaron says “I just hope that a lot more kids have the opportunity that I’ve had. I definitely want to donate substantially to Tri-County Scholarship in the future. That’s one of the things that motivates me to work hard.”

  • Valentina Arias interns at Catholic Book Publishing

    A rising junior at DeSales University, Valentina Arias worked at Catholic Book Publishing Company this summer. The welcoming atmosphere along with the multiple projects to which she was assigned created a stimulating and enjoyable summer job. Valentina was thrilled to learn about the field of publishing although she had some trepidations about performing well. “It was scary at first since I was much younger than everyone,” Valentina admits. But she soon got into the swing, saying, “My boss, Bob Cavalero (a Tri-County Trustee) was very welcoming and supportive, and Carla Arcangelo, his assistant, was always willing to help even when she was busy with other tasks. I enjoyed learning from co-workers who were editing, creating illustrations, or working with finances. They were all a pleasure to work with. I was especially fascinated by the process of filing the copyrights and imprimaturs,” shares Valentina. Valentina feels grateful to have learned so much about publishing and plans on “using every skill I acquired.” She says, “I would really like to thank Tri-County for helping me with this opportunity and also The Catholic Book Publishing Company for everything they taught me and the great summer I had with them!”

  • Open House Brings Old and New Friends

    A morning open house was attended by Mendham officials including Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner, Town Adminstator, Joyce Bushman, and the Chief of Police, Ross Johnson. The bright and comfortable new office is a gift from the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust, which also donated the cost of renovations to the historic building. Over 40 trustees and friends turned out for an evening Open House at which Father Brian Sullivan blessed the new office, and the good work of Tri-County. Our gratitude to the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust for gifting Tri-County's new home and the renovations. If you haven't had a chance to visit, please stop by!

  • Tri-County to Honor Three Distinguished Leaders at Awards Dinner

    Tri-County Scholarship Fund (TCSF) will host its 38th Annual Awards Dinner on Monday, October 28, 2019 at the Hanover Marriott where it will honor three New Jersey leaders. To be honored at the 38th Annual Awards Dinner are: Ray and Cathy Donovan, and the Donovan Family, longtime supporters of educational opportunities for the poor in New Jersey, Making a Difference Award Eric Andersen, Co-President of Aon, Hall of Fame Award Douglas L. Kennedy, CEO of Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Leadership Award All three honorees believe in and support the TCSF mission to provide partial scholarships for many of the state’s most financially disadvantaged children, enabling them to attend accredited K-12 values-based, private and parochial schools. The Awards Dinner is the largest fundraiser for the New Jersey non-profit which has provided over $28 million for over 32,000 scholarships since its inception in 1981. “We are delighted to honor the extraordinary success of these distinguished individuals and especially to recognize their contributions to the needy children in our state,” explained Prudence Pigott, President of Tri-County Scholarship Fund. “Our honorees’ accomplishments in their industries and in serving the community exemplify everything we want our scholarship recipients to follow in their own educational journeys, in the workforce, and in giving back to their own communities.” Hall of Fame Award: Eric Andersen is Co-President of Aon, a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement, and health solutions. Andersen oversees the Reinsurance Solutions and Retirement Solutions businesses, and leads Aon’s activities in Europe, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Andersen also serves on Aon’s Executive Committee and co-leads the Aon Operating Committee with Co-President Michael O’Connor. Andersen joined Aon in 1997. In his over 20-year career with Aon, Andersen previously served as CEO of Aon Benfield, the world’s leading reinsurance intermediary, and as CEO of New York-based Aon Risk Solutions, where he led Aon’s largest unit of 14,000 employees throughout North America and Latin America. Andersen has an MBA from Fordham University and a B.A. from Colgate University. Serving on the board of Covenant House in New Jersey, Andersen has worked to help homeless, at-risk, and run-away youth. He and his wife, Pam have five children and live in Madison. Making A Difference Award: Ray and Cathy Donovan have a five-decade history of commitment to education of the underprivileged primarily through Catholic education in New Jersey’s inner cities. They have created educational opportunity for dozens of students through elementary and high school, by providing financial assistance and by assisting teachers in the classroom at such schools as St. Ann’s of Newark, St. Joseph the Carpenter School, in Roselle, Seton Hall Prep, Delbarton School, Union Catholic in Scotch Plains, and Oak Knoll School in Summit. Their current focus is to provide scholarships to needy students through Tri-County Scholarship Fund. The couple’s philanthropic passions have included the Shrine of St. Joseph’s in Stirling, run by the Sister Servants of Jesus order of nuns from Poland. This is where the Donovans also built the first-in-the-country 911 memorial, a bell tower named “The Tower of Remembrance,” constructed of retrieved pieces of the twin towers. Ray Donovan served as US Secretary of Labor in the White House cabinet of President Ronald Reagan from 1981-1985. Donovan co-founded Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in 1965. The 3-course club in Bedminster has been expanded and renovated in recent years by Ray and Cathy’s sons, Ken and Keith, and by their daughter Mary Ellen Stewart. The couple’s children and grandchildren are continuing the tradition Ray and Cathy established by supporting education, primarily through Tri-County Scholarship Fund. Ken and his wife, Kris Donovan serve on the TCSF Board of Trustees. Leadership Award: Douglas L. Kennedy is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Peapack-Gladstone Bank, leading the bank’s wealth, lending and deposit lines of business, along with its branding, human capital, operations and technology functions, to deliver on Peapack-Gladstone Bank’s private banking style of client service and product solutions. Kennedy has over 40 years of experience in the banking industry. He is a known leader in the financial services field, with a proven track record of building and repositioning businesses. Prior to Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Kennedy was the president of the NJ Market for Capital One Bank and North Fork Bank. Over the years, he has held key executive level positions at Fleet Bank, Summit Bancorp and Bank of America. Kennedy’s dedication to the communities where he lives and works is a value emphasized throughout the Bank. In 2019, Peapack-Gladstone Bank was recognized by American Banker for the second year in a row as a “Best Bank to Work For.” Doug challenges his employees to live by a set of strategic core principles that put clients, each other, and the community above all else. He encourages both corporate and individual responsibility, and proactive reinvestment in communities with the greatest needs. Consistent with his own long time support of Tri-County Scholarship Fund, Kennedy, values volunteerism and generously gives to local organizations that are important to the fabric of everyday life, especially to encourage opportunities for the underprivileged. Kennedy holds a BS in Economics and an MBA in Finance, both from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. He sits on Sacred Heart’s Board of Trustees and is also a member of Montclair State University’s Board of Trustees. Doug serves on the Boards of the NJBankers Association and New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and was named to the NJBIZ “Power 50 Banking” list. Those wishing to attend TCSF’s 38th Annual Awards Dinner can purchase tickets or sponsorships at tcsfund.org/annual-dinner. Tribute ads in the evening’s printed program are due by October 9. For further information, contact Tri-County Scholarship Fund at 973-984-9600.

  • Nailah Anderson interns at the Turrell Fund

    Tri-County graduate, Nailah Anderson excelled at a variety of tasks during her internship at the Turrell Fund this summer. “Prior to this internship I had no idea of the big impact Turrell has on New Jersey communities,” says Nailah, adding, “In this two-month period I’ve learned more about child development, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), grant-giving, and final reports than I ever thought possible! I joined current Vice President of Events, Justin Kiczek, for visits to the Community Foodbank of NJ, Sharron Miller Academy of Performing Arts, Student Partner Alliance, and so many others. I learned so much about the nonprofit world and just how necessary and beneficial nonprofits are to our society.” Turrell President Curt Fields and Program Director, Justin Kiczek were very impressed with Nailah’s work ethic and critical thinking skills. “Nailah has been superb. A good listener, careful, curious, and friendly. My only problem with her is she is too efficient!” jokes Justin, adding, “In no time, she plowed through half of the projects I assigned her!” Nailah says, “I am more than thankful I got to meet and work amongst the people at Turrell. I’m excited to keep in contact with all the wonderful people I met along the way. Thank you, Tri-County, for introducing me to this wonderful internship”

  • Summer 2019 Newsletter

    President's Message It has been a great spring and summer for Tri-County! Through some very successful spring events and thanks to the generous hearts of our supporters, we have been able to award K-12 scholarships to a record 500 children for the 2019/20 school year.  Tri-County has just moved into a beautiful new office on Main St. in Mendham, donated by the Darrin Charitable Trust. We have welcomed 6 new, outstanding trustees. Best of all – our results: All 45 of our Class of 2019 seniors graduated from high school, and are starting college this fall!  The October 28 th  Annual Awards Dinner will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all of this success, while we recognize three distinguished honorees; Eric Andersen, Co-President of Aon, Doug Kennedy, CEO of Peapack Gladstone Bank, and Ray & Cathy Donovan and the Donovan Family, longtime supporters of inner-city children and Catholic education. Each of our honorees share a great commitment to the Tri-County cause of providing hope to needy, inner-city New Jersey children through the opportunity of education to safe, quality, values based schools.   Looking forward to an outstanding school year ahead. Thank you for your support of our scholarship children. Prudence Pigott View Summer 2019 Newsletter

  • Golfers Raise Over $140,000 for Scholarships!

    June 3, 2019 Morris County Country Club: Thank you to the sponsors, donors, golfers and volunteers for making the 27th Annual Tri-County Golf Invitational a great success! The annual golf event raised $140,000 beating last year’s total by nearly $20,000. The proceeds will provide scholarships for 50 elementary and high school aged inner-city students to attend quality schools in the coming school year. 110 golfers came out to enjoy the beautiful day and the gorgeous grounds at the Morris County Golf Club in Morristown, NJ. The outing featured two hole-in-one opportunities sponsored by Audi of Bridgewater and Mendham, and Maplecrest Ford of Mendham, as well as a putting contest, 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction featuring many exclusive prizes. Golfers enjoyed dinner on the Club’s outdoor terrace overlooking the course. Tri-County high school Freedom Scholarship recipient, Emmanuel Dyer, a sophomore at Eastern Christian High School in North Haledon, shared his story. A partial scholarship from Tri-County coupled with the significant sacrifice of his parents to provide the balance of tuition, gives Emmanuel the freedom to rise above his family’s challenging financial circumstances and pursue a quality education. Congratulations and gratitude to the 27th Annual Golf Invitational co-chairs, Mark Bode of PWC and Jack Farr of Bank of America Merrill Lynch and the Golf Committee members: Brian Clark, Michael Frodella, Quentin Murray, Fred Pierce, Eric Seguin, Joseph Stefans, and Robert Waldele. Thank you to our generous sponsors. Tournament Co-Sponsors: Halfway House Sponsor: Chito Zulueta/Eli Lilly and Company Tee Sponsors: Assumption Parish, Atlantic Health System, Bergman Real Estate & Time Equities, CIT Group, Crum and Forster, DePaul Catholic High School, Hawthorne Christian Academy, the Howard Family, The Lehman Eger Group/Merrill Lynch, M&T Bank, Mary Help of Christians Academy, MRY Associations, OritaniBank Foundation, Paramus Catholic High School, Pope John XXIII High School, R. Seelaus & Co., Inc., UBS/Borealis Wealth Management, and the Waldele Family. 2019 Golf Invitation Gallery

  • Oh What A Night... $135K Raised!

    2019 Lawyers for Tri-County Dinner Raises $135K for Freedom Scholars A crowd of 150 leaders in the New Jersey legal community came out  to support our three outstanding honorees for the 6th Annual Lawyers for Tri-County Awards Dinner, benefiting Tri-County Scholarship Fund’s (TCSF) Freedom Scholars Program, on Tuesday, May 14th at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ. Trustees of Justice Honorees: Honorable Julio M. Fuentes, Senior United States Circuit Judge, 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals; Catherine P. Wells, Esq., Chair and Member, Labor and Employment Group for Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi PC; Timothy I. Duffy, Esq., Founding Partner of Coughlin Duffy LLC Honored at the 2019 dinner with Trustee of Justice Awards were: Honorable Julio M. Fuentes, Senior United States Circuit Judge, US Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit Timothy I. Duffy, Esq., Founding Partner of Coughlin Duffy LLP Catherine P. Wells, Esq., Chair and Member, Labor and Employment Group, with Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi PC “We are thrilled to recognize the significant impact these three honorees have had for the benefit of our profession,” noted TCSF Trustees and event co-chairs Louis John Dughi, Esq of Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, PC and Michael C. Zogby, Esq. of Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP, “and for the excellent service they have provided to the rule of law.” Dinner Co-Chair Louis John Dughi, Esq., with Honorees: Honorable Julio M. Fuentes, Catherine P. Wells, Esq., Timothy I. Duffy, Esq.; Tri-County President, Prudence Pigott and Dinner Co-Chair, Michael C. Zogby, Esq. Thanks to the generosity of our distinguished honorees and their supporters, as well as our trustees and donors, the dinner raised more than $135K! Proceeds of the dinner will fund 27 Tri-County high school Freedom Scholarships for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. Tri-County Scholarship Fund annually awards more than $1.2 MM in K-12 scholarships to 450+ of the state’s most financially disadvantaged children The Annual Lawyers Dinner directly benefits TCSF’s Freedom Scholars program –a partnership between TCSF, schools, and families, by assisting financially disadvantaged high school students who have also shown significant academic achievement. With the help of partial scholarships, these promising students are able to afford values-centered, private high schools that also help them with mentoring, tutoring, college prep courses and more. Each of the Trustee of Justice Award recipients encouraged the students to to avoid letting their circumstances or setbacks keep them from pursuing their dreams. Honoree, Timothy Duffy, past Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Tri-County from 2010-2018, referred to Tri-County as the Cause of all Causes that not only changes the current students’ lives but also the generations of children who will follow. Dinner attendees heard from current TCSF scholarship recipient, Genai Veal, who will graduate in June from the Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon. Said Veal, “Mary Help of Christians and Tri-County Scholarship have done for me what family does. You have helped me become a contributing member of society, to develop important values, and to become my own person.” Genai will be attending Hamilton College in Virginia to study Chemical Engineering. Best of Luck, Genai! TCSF alumnus, Matt Fung, a 2010 Tri-County Scholarship graduate of Paterson Catholic High School, and a 2014 summa cum laude Mechanical Engineering graduate of Rutgers University shared his personal story. Fung is currently employed as a Product Engineer for Arconic Engines. He gave an impassioned speech about how TCSF impacted his life and helped him and his family through the financial devastation of a health crisis. The entire room was brought to their feet in response to Matt’s triumphant story. Thank you, Matt, for your willingness to share your story with us! In addition to the leadership of John Dughi and Michael Zogby as dinner Co-Chairs, Tri-County is grateful to the following trustees for serving on the dinner committee: Shacara N. Delgado, Esq., Realogy Holdings Corporation; Rick Diana, EFD Sales Consultants Joseph Gonnella, Boy Scouts of America Beth Hennessy, Edward L. Hennessy, Jr. & Ruth S. Hennessy Foundation Trevor Jones, Ameriprise Financial Services Samrat S. Khichi, Esq., Becton Dickinson Nancy A. Lottinville, Esq., Prime Law Lina M. Martinez, Esq., Atlas Copco North America Paul L. Onderdonk, SIG LLP Jessica Ortiz, Esq., MoloLamken LLP Prudence Pigott, Tri-County Scholarship Fund Some Tri-County Students from Mary Help of Christians Academy, Eastern Christian, Paramus Catholic, Morris Catholic, DePaul and Pope John XXIII High Schools Many thanks to all of the volunteers and the Tri-County students who helped out at the dinner. We couldn’t have done it without you!

  • Record-breaking $140,000 raised for Freedom Scholars

    Tri-County Scholarship Fund Honors Four Outstanding Women at 7th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon April 11, 2019 L to R: Tri-County co-chair, Joseph Gonnella, Honorees—Jessica Ortiz, Esq., Paula Mandell, Anneliese Seelaus Mitnick, Michele R. Neves; Tri-County President, Prudence Pigott, and Tri-County co-chair, Rebecca Levy, Esq. Four outstanding women were honored at Tri-County Scholarship Fund’s 7th Annual Women of Achievement Luncheon held at the Canoe Brook Country Club on April 11th. Honored at the event were Paula Mandell, Senior VP and Area Executive for M&T Bank, Anneliese Seelaus Mitnick, CEO of R. Seelaus & Co., Inc., Michele R. Neves, Principal of Immaculate Conception High School-Montclair, and Jessica Ortiz, Esq., partner with the law firm MoloLamken LLP. While each of the honorees has an impressive record of achievement, their desire and willingness to empower others with opportunities for success caught the nominating committee’s attention. The honorees were selected by the Tri-County event committee co-chaired by Tri-County trustees, Joseph Gonnella, Chief Development Officer for Boys Scouts of America, Rebecca Levy, Esq., General Council for Summit Medical Group, Sally Glick, Principal and Chief Growth Strategist for SobelCo, and Tri-County Scholarship Fund president, Prudence Pigott. Sally Glick with Yecenia Duran presiding over the Scholarship Auction The event raised a record-breaking $140,000 for Tri-County’s Freedom Scholar program— a partnership between TCSF, schools and families —which provides scholarships to financially-disadvantaged high school students so that they are able to afford values-centered, high-performing private high schools. Tri-County also helps the students throughout high school with mentoring, tutoring, college prep courses and more. Due to the generosity of the Luncheon’s attendees and honorees, Tri-County will award a full 28 more one-year scholarships. Some of our Tri-County Scholarship Recipients All four women addressed a sold-out crowd of 300, including over two dozen of Tri-County’s high school scholarship recipients who heard the honorees’ messages of encouragement that they too can overcome obstacles and forge their own paths of success. Anneliese Seelaus Mitnick of R. Seelaus & Co., Inc., having matriculated from Oak Knoll High School in Summit, NJ and then Princeton University, recognized the gift of an excellent education. Since taking the helm as CEO for the company in 2015, Seelaus-Mitnick has focused on making the firm mission-driven in helping to serve the community and in providing opportunities for women in finance. Paula Mandell of M&T Bank, spoke of her rise from bank teller to Senior Vice President and Area Executive for the bank. In her career, Mandell was most fulfilled by helping others find their own path to success. Jessica Ortiz, Esq., partner with the NY firm Mololamken LLP, spoke about her journey through the challenging environment of an inner city high school in upstate New York, and how this experience motivated and transformed her. Notably, Ortiz is one of a small percentage of Latina attorneys in the US and one of a still smaller percentage to become a partner at a major law firm. Michele R. Neves, Principal at Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, NJ has been a champion for financially-disadvantaged and inner city students throughout her 35+ years in education, much of it in Paterson, New Jersey. Neves, who has worked closely with the Tri-County organization throughout her career, paid tribute to her colleagues who have helped her foster a school environment that allows disadvantaged students to excel and reach their full potential. At Immaculate Conception, Neves has revitalized the school, nearly doubling enrollment in her tenure as Principal and increasing the participation of parents in the school’s success. All of the honorees are passionate about Tri-County’s mission to provide K-12 scholarships to financially disadvantaged students to attend safe, values-based schools. Tri-County Alumna Melissa Arca Also addressing the crowd were Tri-County Alumna, Melissa Arca, and current Tri-County student, Yecenia Duran. Melissa Arca, who attended Paramus Catholic High School, will graduate in May with a degree in Biochemistry from St. Peters University and is in the process of applying to medical school. Yecenia Duran, a senior at Mary Help of Christian Academy in North Haledon has received a full scholarship to Felician University where she will pursue a nursing degree. Both young women cited a parent as their role model and hero, expressed gratitude for the generosity of Tri-County donors and look forward to a time when they will be in the position to pay it forward. Tri-County student, Yecenia Duran Tri-County Scholarship Fund was founded in 1981. Alarmed by the failing public school system and the mounting inequalities in educational choice for families in poorer communities, a group of New Jersey business leaders joined forces to create an organization that would provide scholarship assistance, based solely on financial need, for students to attend private K-12 schools. Since 1981, Tri-County has awarded over 32,000 scholarships, amounting to more than 28-million dollars. Families in the lowest income levels are able to choose safe educational opportunities for their children in private schools that offer a sense of family and a disciplined learning environment. Each year, Tri-County has been able to award about 450 scholarships but the waiting list of deserving applicants is nearly 2000. Since Tri-County provides partial scholarships, parents make significant financial sacrifices to provide this educational opportunity for their children. They are indeed the unsung heroes of the Tri-County mission.

  • Tri-County Scholarship Fund To Honor Four Extraordinary Women at 6th Annual Women of Achievement Aw

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2018 MEDIA CONTACT For Tri-County Scholarship Fund: Ashley W. Kearney Director of Publicity ashley@ashleykearney.com Ph: 713-899-6021 PARSIPPANY, NJ – Four successful women will be honored at the 6th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon benefiting Tri-County Scholarship Fund’s (Tri-County) Freedom Scholars program. The New Jersey non-profit – which annually provides 400+ scholarships for many of the state’s most financially disadvantaged children, enabling them to attend accredited K-12 values-based private and parochial schools – will host the fundraiser on Thursday, April 12 at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, NJ. The 6th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a reception, followed by lunch and a program from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Co-chaired by Ann Marie Manahan and Joseph Gonnella, the event directly benefits Tri-County’s Freedom Scholars program – which is a partnership between Tri-County, schools, and families and assists financially disadvantaged high school students afford values-centered, high-performing private schools and also helps them from their Freshman through their Senior year with mentoring, tutoring, college prep courses and more. Being honored at the 2018 luncheon are the following: Rosemary Mercedes, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of Univision Communications, Inc.; Rebecca Levy, Esq., General Counsel for Summit Medical Group, PA and Chief Legal Officer of Summit Health Management, LLC.; Reema Puri, Vice President of Human Resources for Nevakar, Inc.; and Denise Flanagan, Broker and Sales Consultant with Coldwell Banker. “We couldn’t be more pleased to honor these four amazing women, all of whom are passionate about the Tri-County Scholarship Fund mission and support us in so many different ways,” explained Prudence Pigott, President of Tri-County Scholarship Fund. “Their work and efforts are inspiring to all who encounter them – especially our students – and we thank them for all they have accomplished.” Rosemary Mercedes is the first Chief Communications Officer for Univision Communications, Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic America and the rising diverse, American mainstream. She defines Univision’s overall communication strategy and she has played an integral role in building and executing some of Univision’s most successful communications and awareness campaigns in the past 10 years. Her impact has been recognized by the industry a number of times throughout her career; most recently Mercedes was named the 2017 Pioneer of the Year by the Hispanic Public Relations Association. She was named to The Holmes Report’s 2016 List of Rising Communications Leaders in North America, among the Top Women in PR by PR News, and as one of the Top 40 Under 40 PR Professionals in the U.S. by PR Week magazine. Rebecca Levy, Esq. has served as Summit Medical Group, P.A.’s General Counsel since 2011. In 2014, she was also named the Chief Legal Officer of Summit Health Management, LLC, an entity that offers a population health-focused model of management services to healthcare organizations in New Jersey, Arizona and Oregon. Levy is responsible for oversight of all legal and compliance matters and she is also responsible for oversight of the Human Resources Department, the Risk Management and Patient Safety Department, the Coding Compliance Department and the Summit Medical Group Foundation. Levy also serves as the Vice President of the Summit Medical Group Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. She was named a New Jersey SuperLawyers “Rising Star” in 2010 and 2011, was listed among NJ Biz magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2014 and was a finalist in NJBiz magazine’s General Counsel of the Year awards in 2015. Reema Puri serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Nevakar, Inc., a company that she helped found and grow along with her husband, Navneet.  Nevakar is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative products in the injectable and ophthalmic space. With more than 15 years of combined experience within the Pharma industry, Puri has had tremendous success in Research & Development and Human Resources. Puri has parlayed her expertise in helping young women in New Jersey by mentoring and serving as an Advisory Board member at the New Jersey Women in STEM Entrepreneurship & Innovation Challenge. In fact, she is recently the recipient of the 2018 AWISN New Jersey Women in STEM Mentoring Award. In addition, the Puri Family supports educational endowments for graduate students at Rutgers University and Reema is on the board of Vedic Samaj, where she is the President and also serves as a Board of Trustees member. Denise Flanagan is a very successful real estate professional, in addition to being a trusted colleague, friend, mentor, and community volunteer. Her many accomplishments include being a certified Real Estate Broker, a Manager/Broker of Record, a member of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, and a Certified Tax Assessor. She has consistently been a recipient of many awards and honors including the Million Dollar Sales Club from 1984-1991 with Schlott Realtors and from 1992-1994 with Coldwell Banker. While with Coldwell Banker, Flanagan received the North Central Jersey Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence Gold Level in 2005 and from 2007-2012 as well as the Silver Level in 2006. She has been in the President’s Elite Top 1% Worldwide and in the New Jersey Association of Realtors Distinguished Sales Club. Since 1979, a span of thirty-four years, Denise has sold over 1,000 homes, an average of 25-30 homes a year. Those wishing to attend the 6th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon can purchase tickets for $95 each at www.tcsfund.org/events. Various scholarship sponsorships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, for a full year’s tuition, are also available. To inquire about sponsorships or table sales, contact Minnie Simon at Tri-County Scholarship Fund at 973-984-9600. ### ABOUT TRI-COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP FUND Combining their talents, Bishop Frank Joseph Rodimer of Paterson and New Jersey businessman Ed Hennessy created Tri-County Scholarship Fund (Tri-County) in 1981. Since then, Tri-County has provided over $25 million in partial financial scholarships to financially disadvantaged children in Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties, enabling them to attend accredited K-12 private and parochial schools. Tri-County provides scholarship assistance to students based on financial need, with students reflecting the diversity of their communities. To date, Tri-County has given more than 31,000 scholarships to many of New Jersey’s inner-city children, providing them access to the superior and safer option of values-based private schools. For more information, log on to www.tcsfund.org.

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