Women of Distinction and Community Partners Gala

Chanta L. Jackson's journalistic odyssey reads like a masterclass in professional reinvention. Armed with a University of Maryland degree and graduate studies from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business, she began her career in broadcast journalism before seamlessly transitioning to print media. Her five-year stint at the Asbury Park Press showcased her versatility, where she donned multiple hats as a metro reporter, columnist, and copy editor. At The Star-Ledger, New Jersey's journalistic powerhouse, Jackson spent 15 transformative years navigating roles from copy editor to Multimedia Publishing Manager, demonstrating an uncanny ability to adapt and excel in an ever-changing media landscape.

When The Star-Ledger unexpectedly laid her off in 2013, Jackson transformed potential setback into opportunity, leveraging her marketing and communication prowess to enter the education sector. For 11 years with the Asbury Park School District, she served as chief communications officer, becoming the driving narrative behind the district's educational renaissance. She continues to use her storytelling skills, honed in newsrooms, at Hackensack Public School District to paint compelling pictures of educational transformation, helping to reshape perceptions and inspire community engagement.

Beyond her professional achievements, Chanta dedicates her time and expertise to numerous organizations, serving simultaneously as a Monmouth County Youth Services Commission member, Treasurer of the Second Baptist Church of Long Branch, President of the Neptune Township Board of Education, and Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions at the New Jersey School Boards Association. As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., she currently leads the Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter, continuing her legacy of leadership and community service with the same passion she brought to journalism and education.

A Union Ironworker for 36 years, Karen was the first female in NJ to graduate from District Council Ironworkers Local 11’s Apprenticeship Program, in 1989. She has spent 35 years in the field setting and securing iron on an extensive and impressive list of projects throughout the state. Rutgers Stadium, Jersey Shore Medical Center’s Hope Tower, the Bayonne Bridge, Newark Airport’s New Terminal A, Freehold Raceway and the American Dream Malls and rides at Six Flags Great Adventure, are just a few she’s worked on during her successful career.

In 2022, Karen was appointed as the first woman Organizer for Ironworkers Local 11, Newark, NJ. Her responsibilities include promoting the ironworker trade to women and men around the state and sharing her expertise on the benefits of Union Labor. She also serves as a Trustee for Local 11 having been elected to the position by her peers. In 2024, Karen was also appointed as a Trustee for the Middlesex County Building Trades. She belongs to several professional organizations including, Professional Women in Construction and the National Association of Women in Construction. In addition, Karen has participated in Trades Women Build Nations/North America’s Building Trades Unions conferences across the country and has attended NJ’s Women in Leadership Development AFL-CIO Conference.

Karen has spoken at numerous Job Fairs and Career Days, to extol the opportunities in the trades industry, and has been a panelist at events including the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit. For her steadfast efforts and commitment to educating, recruiting and supporting the industry’s future workforce, she was awarded the prestigous 2024 Labor Partnership Award by the Monmouth County Workforce Development Board. Karen’s passion is to encourage and inspire individuals to discover their interests, pursue trade employment opportunities and enjoy lasting, rewarding careers in the industry.

Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes is a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, educator, and changemaker with an unwavering commitment to empowering others. With 37 years of experience in business development, she has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs launch and grow their ventures. As Regional Director of the award-winning NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College, she oversees a vibrant small business ecosystem in New Jersey’s Shore region, driving economic growth and earning national and regional acclaim for the center's impact.

Jackeline co-founded J&J Disruptive Enterprises, a global initiative to empower women entrepreneurs, and founded Women Entrepreneurs Rock, an inspiring annual event series dedicated to supporting women business owners. A dedicated teacher, she shares her entrepreneurial expertise as an adjunct professor in business at higher education institutions, shaping the next generation of leaders. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College, a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Arizona Global Campus, and a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

An adventurer who has traveled to five continents, Jackeline resides in Middletown, NJ, where she enjoys spending time with her two grown children, who share her love of exploration. A passionate advocate for youth, women, and small businesses, she serves on numerous boards, including RWJ Monmouth Medical Center and the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce. Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business and Asbury Park Press’s Most Influential in Business of the Jersey Shore. Her contributions continue to inspire and uplift communities, embodying her belief that "we rise when we support others."

Jennifer “Jen” Shufran grew up in Indiana, graduating from Purdue University with a B.S. in Environmental Health. She moved five times in just over five years with her husband, Matt, an officer in the U.S. Navy, which allowed her to explore her professional interests and ultimately find her passion for strengthening and building healthy communities through the nonprofit sector. Jen stayed true to her studies with a preferred focus on health, healthcare, and academic medical centers.

Jen began her tenure as Vice President of the Community Medical Center Foundation in April 2020, excited to be a part of the team leading the hospital through a transformation from a small community medical center to a regional hub of specialized care. Jen was particularly excited by CMC’s transition into a teaching hospital and its ability to draw on the strength of the RWJBarnabas Health system network. With over 25 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, Jen is passionate about providing opportunities that resonate with supporters—opportunities that allow them to positively impact and improve life and health in their community. Jen is currently leading the Foundation through The Campaign to Transform CMC, supporting ambitious projects to increase local access to specialized treatment and enhance how care is provided in the hospital for all stages of life, keeping patients in New Jersey, in Ocean County, and importantly, in Toms River. The campaign provides funds for a variety of plans to help CMC grow and evolve with the community it serves.

Jen also believes in community leadership, serving as board member and executive advisor for The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce (GTRCC), board member and former president for Kiwanis of Toms River, board member for Ocean County Business Development and Tourism, and former board member for the 21Plus Foundation. She was also honored as a Woman of Distinction by GTRCC in 2023.  Jen has also been involved in a number of professional organizations as both member and in board service – Association of Fundraising Professionals, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement, and Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. She earned her MBA in 2020 and is proud resident of Island Heights, NJ with her incredibly supportive husband, Matt, and two wonderful sons, Alex and Josh. Jen has been a proud advocate of Girl Scouts and their mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place, and always supports the sales efforts and entrepreneurialism of her two nieces, both proud Girl Scouts in Gig Harbor, WA.

Jenn is a Senior Vice President/ Regional Branch Manager with over two decades of experience with Manasquan Bank. Her dedication to the Manasquan Bank brand, culture, and team has led her to continued success. As the Regional Branch Manager, she maintains varying levels of support over the branches, playing key roles in talent development, goal setting, operations, and sales, among others.

Jenn is a well-respected member of the banking community, having received numerous awards and accolades for her outstanding contributions. She was the recipient of the Emerging Leaders Award from NJ Bankers in October of 2013, the Citizen of the Year Award from the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce in 2008, and the Vocational Service Award from Rotary District 7500 in 2018. She completed the NJ Bankers Leadership Academy in 2019 and is currently attending the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Wharton Leadership Program.

Outside of work, Jenn is an active member of the community, serving as a trustee and Treasurer of the Common Ground Grief Center in Manasquan, Product Coordinator for Troop 61835 of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, and Treasurer of Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Pack 47 in Brick. She is Past President and current Secretary of The Rotary Club of Brick Township where she is also a Paul Harris Fellow.

Jenn has been married to her husband, Scott, for 22 years and is the proud mother of two children, Kiely and Logan.

Dr. Michael Maschi currently serves in the role of Assistant Superintendent for Ocean County Vocational Technical School.  Since 2018 he has shared the responsibility of district leadership for this award-winning, highly respected county high school vocational school district.  Dr. Maschi is responsible for several new and innovative programs to best prepare Ocean County residents for careers in the trades.  Dr. Maschi believes that Ocean County Vocational Technical School provides an in-depth and rigorous program of study for all interested residents with the goal of more of our youth staying, working, and starting families here in Ocean County.  Prior to being Assistant Superintendent for Ocean County Vocational Technical School, he was the Director of Special Services in Lacey Township.  In Lacey, he was responsible for the leadership of the Special Services department which served over 1000 special needs students and their families, making sure that high quality specialized support services were in place to maximize educational and behavioral outcomes.

Dr. Maschi received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York- New Paltz in Psychology and Sociology. Dr. Maschi completed his graduate work at both the State University of New York at Albany and at New Paltz completing masters programs in both Social Work and Sociology. Dr. Maschi also graduated from the Foundation for Educational Administration's NJEXCEL program (NJ Expedited Certification for Educational Leadership) leading to the NJ principal and school administrator leadership certificates.  Dr. Maschi received his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of New England in 2016.

Dr. Maschi began his career working with youngsters and adults suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders. Dr. Maschi assumed several leadership roles while doing this type of work including the directorship of a large inpatient chemical dependency unit at Cabrini Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Maschi transitioned into the field of school social work, working as a school social worker on a child study team with Barnegat Township Schools for five years. Dr. Maschi was promoted to Supervisor of Special Services with Little Silver School District in Monmouth County where he had served for three years.  

Dr. Maschi, is married to his wife Kimberly and is the proud father of Gianna, Alexa, Olivia, and Ryan. 

Founded in 2016 by Dr. Semaj and Carla Vanzant, Inspire Life began as a response to the lack of accessible, high-quality summer programming for families in Monmouth County, particularly in Asbury Park, NJ. Recognizing the barriers created by financial and socioeconomic disparities, the Vanzants envisioned a space where all children—especially Black and Brown youth—could explore their potential through enriching, inclusive experiences. With a mission to break down systemic barriers and foster connection, Inspire Life launched as a summer camp designed to empower young minds and families to pursue purpose, professions, and positive choices.

What started as a small summer camp has grown into a multifaceted organization offering year-round programming. Inspire Life now includes Creator's Lab, a program led by Grammy-winning artists that equips youth with skills in music production, film, and digital storytelling. Additionally, the Freedom School initiative brings culturally affirming literacy and leadership development to the forefront, addressing educational inequities while fostering a love of learning and a sense of community. These innovative programs join a diverse lineup of offerings, from STEAM education to social-emotional development, making Inspire Life a leader in creative and inclusive youth programming.

Today, Inspire Life serves as a transformative force in the Central Jersey Shore region, celebrating diversity and bridging historical divides. Through its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ), Inspire Life has touched the lives of countless families, empowering them to overcome challenges and thrive. With each program, partnership, and success story, Inspire Life continues to build a legacy of growth, creativity, and hope, illuminating a brighter future for all.

Gala Committee Breakfast 1.16.25
Gala Committee Breakfast 1.16.25

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Gallery 4.17.24
Gallery 4.17.24

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