Women of Distinction and Community Partners Gala

Ms. Victoria Marie Fernandez, MPA (she/hers) is the Director of Thriving Communities for the Grunin Foundation, a place-based family foundation grantmaking on the Central Jersey Shore for 13 years. At Grunin, Vicki leads the foundation’s capacity building and EDIB (equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging) efforts. Her first capacity building position was in 9th grade when her Girl Scout troop was trained by the Franklin Institute to deliver a STEM-based curriculum to adults and Girl Scouts, becoming the youngest trainers in Washington Rock Girl Scout Council (now Girl Scout Heart of NJ) history.

Vicki came to Grunin in 2022 from the Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership (IEL), where she most recently served as Acting Executive Director. Vicki helped hundreds of nonprofit leaders at all stages of growth find support and develop their abilities at IEL. Her proudest achievements there include hosting international speakers like Beth Kanter, Michael Brandwein, and Vu Le; increasing IEL alumni engagement; and increasing focus/practice on DEI and anti-racism.

In June 2019, Vicki Co-Founded the Nonprofit Professionals of Color Collective with Tyneisha Gibbs (144th and Vine). “The Collective” seeks to support the whole BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other Persons of Color) leader with personal and professional development, community support, and access to intentionally curated resources. Through the pandemic, the Collective quickly grew online to reach over 800 nonprofit professionals nationally and continues to reach new audiences.

Outside of IEL, previous roles include outreach at Newark Public Radio WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM; NJAFTER3 arts educator then Program Director in Paterson, NJ; and consultant. Although her 20 years of work in the sector has a broad focus, including youth development, community engagement, out of school time, and capacity building, she has a particular passion for work in the arts.

Vicki earned her BA at Ramapo College of NJ in Communications and Visual Arts, and MPA with a concentration in non-profit administration at Rutgers – Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA). She serves as a board member for the Institute of Music for Children in her hometown of Elizabeth, NJ; on the Steering for the Council of NJ Grantmakers’ (CNJG) Doing Good Better initiative; and is a decorated Lifetime Girl Scout and adult volunteer.

 Through a lifelong love of the arts, Vicki has enjoyed trying different media including glassblowing, welding, needle work, playing bass, and cake sculpting. Her core values include creativity, ideation, justice, collaboration, service, humor, and joy. A campfire, fresh figs, walking bass line, and fireworks bring her instant happiness.

Pamela Monaco’s career focuses on providing educational opportunities to non-traditional and underserved student populations.  While completing her doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America in English, Pamela taught as an adjunct for several community colleges in the greater Washington, DC, area. This experience proved transformational, as Pamela discovered the vibrancy of the multigenerational, multicultural community college classroom. This experience led her to her first full-time academic job at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia. In addition to her full-time teaching position, Pamela became department chair, assistant division chair, and founder of the Thomas Nelson Players, the college’s theatre company.

Pamela has served as faculty and administrator at a variety of colleges and universities, from two-year colleges to research-intensive universities, but the positions shared a dedication to  underserved student populations. The insights and knowledge to better serve these students-- and support faculty and staff providing educational opportunities to these populations-- were honed through Pamela’s work at Mississippi Valley State University, an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the Mississippi Delta; through the experience teaching and working with military students and adult learners in the online environment at University of Maryland Global Campus (formerly UMUC); as the founding dean of arts and sciences at Brandman University, a twenty-seven campus university on the West Coast serving the working adult student; as the vice president of academic and student affairs at Wright College, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) that is part of the City Colleges of Chicago; and now as President of Ocean County College.

Pamela enjoys time spent in the kitchen, reading with a cat on her lap,  and running  trails with her spouse, Don Kehne. She is honored to have been a Fulbright Scholar to Estonia, a National Endowment of the Humanities Fellow, and a graduate of Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education.

Wendy Price was born in Bergen County, NJ.  She began her broadcast career at State University of New York Brockport’s 89.1 WBSU, where she earned several top honors for excellence in communication. After representing major radio stations like 97 Rock and WGR Newsradio 55 in Buffalo, New York, she returned to New Jersey (2002), where her leadership in media soon earned her the Morrison & Abraham “Made It Happen” Award (2005) and was named a Hometown Heroes honoree (2011).

As Director of Sales for locally owned Press Communications, LLC, Wendy oversees all revenue and leads their dynamic sales and promotions teams. She’s been recognized as one of Radio Ink’s Best Managers in Radio (2022), a finalist for the Radio Wayne Award (2023), and the Greater Toms River Chamber’s 2024 Woman of Distinction.

A 23-year Toms River resident, Wendy treasures life with her husband, Steve, son, Ethan, and their dog, Peanut.  Her heart is fullest championing Ethan—who reminds her he’s not “special needs,” but “special gifted.”

Dr. Eboné Lawrence-Smith is a dedicated educator, leader, and community advocate whose passion for empowering young minds has shaped her career. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State University with concentrations in Education, Family Services, and Business; a Master of Education with concentrations in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading, and Special Education from Concordia University–Portland; and a Doctorate of Education in Educational and Organizational Leadership from National University. Dr. Lawrence-Smith began her teaching career in 2011 with Newark Public Schools before joining Long Branch Public Schools in 2015. Throughout her career, she has served as a 4th and 5th-grade teacher, a reading interventionist, and now as an Orton-Gillingham Associate Level Literacy Coach—specializing in data-driven, differentiated literacy practices that support both students and teachers. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom through meaningful contributions to school and district initiatives. Her commitment to excellence earned her the distinction of Teacher of the Year in 2019.

Deeply committed to service, Dr. Lawrence-Smith plays an active role in several community organizations, including Continental Societies, Inc. North Jersey Shore Chapter, The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Jacob’s Ladder of Monmouth County, Inc., and recently joined Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Since 2011, she has also been an active volunteer with Girl Scouts, serving as a dedicated troop leader helper and champion for youth empowerment. In 2021, she was honored as one of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s Phenomenal Women Under 40 for her leadership and community impact. She now continues her service as a Member-at-Large on the Board of Directors, helping to shape programs that inspire courage, confidence, and character in girls.

With an unwavering commitment to fostering young minds and uplifting her community, Dr. Lawrence-Smith stands as a shining example of passion, perseverance, and purpose. Her dedication ignites a love of learning and inspires future leaders to make meaningful contributions to the world. Dr. Lawrence-Smith is an active member of Quinn Chapel AME Church, where her faith continues to shape her philanthropic spirit. Guided by Philippians 4:13, she continues to serve with humility and strength while cherishing time with her husband, Gyasi, and their two beautiful daughters, Cadence Jaé—a proud Girl Scout Daisy—and Callie Rose.

Jeanne Wall is owner of HomeTownNews, LLC. and TAPinto news publications for Holmdel, Middletown, Colts Neck, Hazlet and Keyport; the only source for hyperlocal free daily news for those towns. 

In addition to publishing daily community and business news, Jeanne provides valuable brand and content marketing for businesses and nonprofit organizations in NJ.

Jeanne brings 15 years of prior media relations experience, with the last 5 years of that working as VP of media relations for former WPP division and strategic communications firm; Robinson Lerer & Montgomery (RLM) in NYC. At RLM Jeanne managed accounts and many major events with Fortune 500 companies. Jeanne designed communication plans and provided media training for C level executives, designing and managing national media tours for top executives at companies such as Pfizer and Revlon.

Jeanne was also assigned to manage special pro-bono accounts; ie. The United Nations and The National Neuropathy Association. Previously Jeanne worked at Time Warner, where she began in a television production division, and advanced to corporate public relations for Time Warner Cable, NYC.

In the time between working at RLM and publishing TAPinto, Jeanne enjoyed the great privilege along with her husband of caring for their four wonderful children. Jeanne says, "I had an extremely exciting career in NYC, but nothing is more personally satisfying for me than being a mom. Providing unique and interesting hyperlocal news stories and advertising opportunities in the community I live in, is a perfect career fit with my family life."

Jay Whalen is the SVP and Chief Accounting Officer at Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR), a global leader in integrated payment processing and technology solutions, serving over 200,000 customers and processing more than $200 billion in payments annually. With more than 20 years of experience as a financial executive, Jay has a strong record of leading teams in the software and technology sectors. At Shift4, he has played a key role in overseeing more than a dozen M&A transactions totaling over $4 billion, including high-profile acquisitions like the $2.7 billion purchase of Global Blue. Before joining Shift4, he served as Chief Accounting Officer at Commvault (NASDAQ: CVLT), managing a global finance team, driving operational improvements, and acting as the executive sponsor of the Women in Technology initiative. Jay started his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP as an Audit Senior Manager, working with notable clients such as Toys' R' Us and Liz Claiborne.

Jay earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rutgers University, graduating with honors, and a Master of Science in Accounting from Seton Hall University, where he was named the Most Outstanding Student in his major. He is a CPA (inactive) in New Jersey and has applied his academic background to navigate complex financial landscapes throughout his career.

Since 2021, Jay has contributed to the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore as Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, and Audit Committee Member, supporting the organization’s mission to empower young women. His involvement reflects his commitment to giving back to the community. Jay resides in Wall with his wife, Ali, and their four children. Outside of work, he enjoys watching his kids play sports, attending Billy Strings concerts, and traveling with his family.

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Gallery 5.7.2025
Gallery 5.7.2025

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Gala Committee Breakfast 1.16.25
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