EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Allison Strobel, Executive Director

Allison has lived in Hoboken since 2006 and has two children currently attending Hoboken Public Schools. She joined the Hoboken Public Education Foundation in 2024 as its inaugural Executive Director, bringing over 12 years of nonprofit and public sector leadership experience, to oversee the organization's operations, fundraising efforts, community impact and engagement, and strategic planning.

Previously Allison managed the development and early implementation of a pioneering $100 million grant program aimed at building broadband infrastructure in affordable housing properties across New York for the State’s broadband office. She also served as Chief of Staff and Director of Resident Empowerment and Community Engagement at the Jersey City Housing Authority (JCHA), where she coordinated strategic interdepartmental collaboration and operations, and developed and oversaw partnerships with dozens of local, state, and national organizations to offer a range of services and resources to JCHA’s nearly 15,000 residents. Her passion for educational equity and community development drives her commitment to furthering the mission of the Hoboken Public Education Foundation.

BOARD MEMBERS

Julie Richman, Co-President

Julie has been a proud Hoboken resident since 2011 and is the parent of two children: a son attending Wallace Elementary and a daughter enrolled in the Mile Square Early Childhood Education program. She joined the Hoboken Public Education Foundation to connect with others who are deeply passionate about enhancing public education in Hoboken.

With a degree in Supply Chain & Information Systems from Penn State University, Julie works in Merchandise Operations at PVH Corp. She believes that strong public schools play a key role in building a thriving community and is dedicated to fostering community outreach and involvement to strengthen educational opportunities and resources for all families in Hoboken.

Cindy Smith, Co-President

Cindy Smith moved to Hoboken in 2006 to begin her career in NYC. In the years since, she has worked in apparel design and is currently Design Director of DKNY Underwear. She and her husband, Tim, have two students thriving in the Hoboken Public School District.

Cindy became involved with HPEF because she is passionate about supporting public schools and believes community involvement is essential to student success. She is devoted to creating opportunities for HPS students to apply and practice their knowledge using hands-on experiences.

Susan DeRise, Secretary

Susan and her family moved back to Hoboken after living overseas on an international assignment for three years. Prior to that, she and her husband met in Hoboken in 2005 after both having already lived in Hoboken for a few years.  They are the proud parents of one son who is a student in Hoboken Public Schools. 

Susan has over 20 years of marketing and sales experience and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Science.  While living overseas, Susan served as a charity committee member working closely with a school for the hearing impaired, as well as a home for young adults with disabilities.

Susan’s love for Hoboken and its Hoboken Public Schools drives her to dedicate her time to the foundation. She also served as a chair member of the Wallace PTO, and as a class parent. Susan joins the Hoboken Public Education Foundation with a true desire to help continue the strong sense of community and growth of families who are committed to raising their children in Hoboken and its Public Schools. 

Darrin Lee, Treasurer

Darrin has lived in and around Hoboken with his family since moving from California in 2007 and is deeply committed to strengthening Hoboken’s public schools. As a parent of two teenage daughters, he is passionate about ensuring that all children in Hoboken have access to excellent education, extracurricular opportunities, and a supportive environment to thrive.

Driven by a strong belief in the mission of the HPEF, Darrin first became involved by lending his skills in bookkeeping and helping organize Dad’s Night Out. His volunteer spirit extends beyond HPEF—he has long been active in the community as a volunteer at schools and local youth programs and continues to volunteer as a softball coach for Hoboken RBI.

A graduate of Arizona State University, he serves as Vice President of Operations at RWS, a global leader in translation and localization services. His dedication to the community reflects his passion for helping Hoboken students succeed.

Lauren Ferry

Lauren has lived in Hoboken since 2010 and is the proud parent of three children in Hoboken Public Schools. Seeing firsthand the opportunities that strong public schools create for all children, she is a passionate advocate for public education. She has long supported and volunteered with HPEF and is honored to now serve on its board.

Professionally, Lauren brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She earned her BBA from The College of William & Mary and her MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. She currently leads U.S. Product Strategy at Goldman Sachs.

In addition to her commitment to HPEF, Lauren is an active supporter and fundraiser for CASA of Hudson County, reflecting her deep belief in strengthening communities through education and advocacy.

Margaret Grandstaff

Margaret has lived in Hoboken since 2012 and has a daughter at Wallace Elementary. Recently, Margaret was the co-coach of the championship-winning 4th-grade girls basketball team and is active in various school activities for students. She also volunteers at the Hoboken Shelter, Hoboken Community Center, and was instrumental in shaping the life of her little sister she met through Big Brothers Big Sisters. 
Professionally, Margaret has an MBA in Finance and has worked as a Real Estate Controller at Brown Brothers Harriman for the past 20 years. Margaret started volunteering with the HPEF Auction Team for the Annual Gala and is excited to be part of future funding initiatives. 

Ruchika Grover

Ruchika has called Hoboken home since 2008, where she and her husband have raised their twin sons, now juniors at Hoboken High School.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology & Marketing and a Master's in Business Management, both from NYU, and brings project management experience from leading firms including KPMG and Bank of America. That professional foundation, paired with a genuine passion for bringing people together across communities, has shaped her ongoing work coordinating events for several nonprofit organizations, including Kulture Kool South Asian Cultural Center and The Diversity Center, and mentoring high school students through the nonprofit Konnekt Global.

A longtime advocate for public education in Hoboken, Ruchika served for many years on Wallace Elementary School's PTO and continues that commitment today on the Hoboken Public Foundation's board, where she is excited to help bring new growth and opportunities to the Hoboken Public School community.

Nicole Jala

Nicole has lived in Hoboken since 2007, and enjoys spending time in our mile square city with her husband and 2 children. Nicole's children attend T.G. Connors Elementary School, where Nicole serves as a member of the PTO. Nicole is a passionate supporter of the Hoboken Public School District and initially became involved with HPEF as a member of the fundraising team. Nicole is a Senior Contracts Manager at Google LLC.

Nicole Pearlman

Alongside her husband and daughter, Nicole relocated to Hoboken in February 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic, with the goal of enrolling her daughter in the Hoboken Public Schools for kindergarten. Having previously worked in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors, Nicole brings a wealth of professional experience to her role. With a strong belief in the power of public education, fueled by her own positive experiences in public schools, Nicole is passionate about enhancing the educational journey for students with diverse learning needs. Nicole's expertise in information and computer technologies in the nonprofit sector will be instrumental in enhancing the management, implementation, and usability of key systems to further advance the foundation's mission.

Courtney Stout

Courtney Stout is a Hoboken resident since 2016, a mom of three girls in the district, and a passionate advocate for public education. She and her husband, Brian, are dedicated to the continued growth and success of Hoboken's students. With nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Courtney offers strong operational and community engagement expertise. She is a proud Rutgers University alumna.

KEY TEAM MEMBERS

Mallory Comunale, Match Program
Lindsay Cuomo, Moms’ Night Out Co-Director
Kate DeCock, Strategy and Events
Bethlehem Gregory, Moms’ Night Out Co-Director
Mark Stehli, Dads’ Night Out Co-Director

EXTENDED TEAM MEMBERS