The Advisory Board

  • Thomas Aloia

    Tom has managed a major regional property and casualty insurance business for over forty years. In his spare time, Tom has been a leader in youth sports in New Jersey including a four year term as President of Chatham Youth Football and a board member of Chatham Youth Sports. He is on the board of NJ Suburban Youth Football and volunteers at St. John’s soup kitchen serving the homeless in Newark, NJ.

  • Taheesa Hay

    Taheesa was born and raised in Newark, NJ where she still resides. She has been employed by the Harding Township School for over 18 years where she is involved in most aspects of the school community including mentoring students and faculty. Taheesa is the founder and CEO of Blessed Hands Giving Back which was founded in 2019. Blessed Hands is a community outreach program serving families and individuals in need in the Essex County area. In her spare time, she spends time with her husband and extended family including her church community.

  • Stephanie Kondub

    Stephanie has over 10 years experience in marketing and media strategy and is currently the Senior Director, Media Strategy & Activation at Verizon. She brings extensive experience in executing impactful marketing campaigns and currently serves as the Executive Director of the foundation. Stephanie leads digital marketing, finance and scholarship communications. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her husband, daughter and labrador retriever.

  • Ellen Maher

    After a career in advertising in NYC, Ellen began volunteering at Bridges Outreach, a grassroots homeless assistance program. A few years later, she was appointed the Executive Director as the program became a 501 3-C organization and began to grow significantly. Since then, she's served on multiple boards including NJ Goals Ahead (NJGA), Link Education Partners and currently serves on the board of governors at Dorset Field Club.

  • Alex Schmidt

    Alex is an attorney specializing in medical malpractice defense. Before becoming a lawyer, Alex joined the Army and retired as a captain in the Military Police. Alex is active in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Union, Essex and Hudson Counties and was instrumental in developing the relationship with Susan M. Ingal Foundation. He lives in Jersey City with his wife and daughter.

  • David Schmidt

    David has been an attorney practicing in New York and New Jersey for over 40 years. He began his career as a prosecutor in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and thereafter founded the firm, Lubiner & Schmidt, where he spent over three decades managing the firms litigation practice. David has served on a number of boards including The Carroll Gardens Association, Link Community School in Newark, NJ and 313 W82nd Street where he served as treasurer. Now retired, David devotes his time to his family and the success of this foundation.

  • Eve Schmidt

    Eve began her career as an early childhood educator in Millington, NJ before pursuing a career in real estate. Eve is currently a licensed real estate agent and is also engaged in the management of a portfolio of properties in Hudson County. Eve is passionate about expanding educational opportunities for disadvantaged children and is a mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Union and Hudson Counties.

  • Hillary Yegen

    Hillary has over ten years of non-profit board experience. She is an attorney and previously served on the executive committee for the Commission on Accreditation for Home Healthcare as its Secretary and as Vice President. At CACH she supported strategic development to increase membership and oversaw compliance and corporate governance. She is a current member of the finance committee of Barnert Temple. She also advises public corporations on financing, corporate governance and compliance, and communications. Hillary is passionate about supporting communities and expanding learning opportunities for young people.