Michael Gallo Jr. serves as the Director of Research Development at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), where he is responsible for assisting research faculty and research teams in identifying and responding to complex and center-level external funding opportunities. Prior to working at UCI, Michael was the Director of Research Development for the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University, and the Director of various grant programs at Rutgers University, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and at the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Michael received a B.A. in Communication from Rutgers University, an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Boston College, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University.

Over the years Ms. Webster Stansbury’s research has led to a body of work that reexamines ways to distribute power to support interpersonal and institutional success. Her research in the areas of motivation and leadership, organizational culture and strategy, power and politics, conflict and negotiation, was the basis for a number of white papers and articles including the publication of “Self-Help: The Empowering Process; Breaking the Cycle of Poverty,” The Urban Women’s Center Model, Cornell University Empowerment Project, Cornell University, New York. This article was based on seminal research she initially conducted for the purpose of co-authoring Assembly Bill A1915, “Urban Women’s Center Job Training Act,” which was signed into law by Gov. Tom Kean, State of New Jersey. Through CCFA Ms. Webster Stansbury has envisioned a new “self-help” model with children and their parents at the center. This model, the Center for Child and Family Achievement (CCFA), is a continuation of the original vision to break the cycle of poverty.

Lisa G. Kearney is the Operations and Business Development Manager for K & S Tire Service, LLC, a family owned business. She is a graduate of Seton Hall University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Masters if Arts in Corporate and Public Communication/ M.B.A track. Although her hearts desire was to work in the non profit sector, she has incorporated her love and desire to work with women and children through her community service.

Brett McCollough is a Technology Executive, Mentor, and avid Community Supporter. Brett was born and raised in Bronx, NY. After achieving his A.D. in Business at LaGuardia Community College, Brett went on to work for Bloomberg LP in their early startup phase. Today he serves as their Global Head of Data Centers/IT Operations and Infrastructure. Throughout his professional career Brett has made giving back to the community a central focus. He currently serves as a board member and advisor for The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) where he raised over $250,000 in donations and recruited 3 members to their board and junior board.

Mary Ann Ryan works with organizations offering expertise on professional managerial challenges that include business operations and relationship management. Ms. Ryan has served and advised other area non-profits that promote self empowerment as a path to long term personally sustainability. Her non-profit advisory relationship include Crawford House, ReStore Habitat of Humanity, and A New Equilibrium Leadership. Ms. Ryan has a B.A. from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY.