Name

Title, Org

Bio

Hanna Love

Senior Research Associate, The Brookings Institution – Brookings Metro

Hanna Love is a Senior Research Associate in Brookings Metro, where her research focuses on the intersection between place, economic opportunity, and community well-being. She co-leads the Brookings Institution’s Future of Downtowns project, which works alongside local leaders nationwide to identify solutions to the evolving challenges facing American cities and their downtowns.

Laura Torchio, AICP

Technical Advisor & Director of Placemaking, NV5

Laura Torchio is a certified planner specializing in active transportation, healthy communities, and placemaking. She is a seasoned facilitator with a forte to inspire thoughtful, creative initiatives and coalitions that strengthen the social, physical, and economic vitality of communities. Her expertise applies to public, private, and not-profit sectors and she passionately believes communities are empowered by zealous civic engagement. She is a proud member of the NJ Bike Walk Coalition and Bike&Walk Montclair and currently serves as the Chair of the Montclair Vision Zero Task Force.

Justin Copenhaver

Founder/CEO, Urality

Technologist by trade and urbanist at heart, Justin has been working to bring the best tools to downtowns and communities through Urality, a smart cities software platform he started building in 2019. Urality fuses digital mapping and communication technology to aid in economic development, urban planning, and community engagement.

Sara Cureton

Executive Director, NJ Historical Commission

Sara Cureton joined the staff of the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) in 2004 and now serves as its executive director. She oversees funding programs totaling $5.5 million that support history organizations and activities across New Jersey. The NJHC also offers a variety of programs in New Jersey history, including an annual conference, professional development training, and an online journal, New Jersey Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal. Ms. Cureton is actively engaged in preparations for the Semiquincentennial in 2026, both as executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, and as chair of the 250th Coordinating Committee of the American Association for State and Local History.

Tara Dowdell

President, Tara Dowdell Group

Tara Dowdell is the Founder and President of TDG Speakers, a boutique speakers bureau, and Tara Dowdell Group, a social good PR and marketing agency. In addition to her businesses, Tara is a respected television commentator. She has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, and PIX11 News, providing analysis on a range of political and business topics.

Tara’s proven expertise and engaging style have also made her a sought-after speaker. She has addressed several major conferences including NYU Stern School of Business Women in Business Conference, Southern Women in Public Service Leadership Conference, Center for American Women and Politics “Ready to Run” Conference, Colorado Black Women for Political Action 39th Annual Luncheon, and more. 

Prior to starting her businesses, Tara held senior roles in the public sector. Notably, she was the first Black American and youngest person to serve as Director of Appointments in the Office of the New Jersey Governor. In this position, she led the office responsible for gubernatorial appointments to over 550 statewide boards and commissions.

Tara’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. Most recently, she was awarded the 2023 Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award by the Women’s Transportation Seminar – Greater New York Chapter. She’s also an alumna of the American Swiss Foundation Young Leaders program in Switzerland. Additionally, she had the distinction of competing on NBC’s “The Apprentice.”

Tara is the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of WBGO, a public media and jazz radio station, and serves on the board of New Jersey Policy Perspective, a nonpartisan think tank. Tara is a graduate of the University of Virginia where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government.

Jason Gleason

Executive Director, Montclair Center

After serving on the Board of Directors of the Montclair Center BID from January 2016 to July 2019, including a short stint as the board’s President, Jason took over as Executive Director, where he serves the organization currently. In his tenure as Executive Director, he has been responsible for the organization being awarded over $1M in grants, overseen a major downtown strategic planning initiative, implemented new programs such as the ArtConnects mural program, Fresh Air Montclair, the award-winning Pop Goes the Plaza, and transformed the BID’s events programming by partnering to bring the Montclair Jazz festival and Montclair Pride Festival downtown. Jason has built a reputation as an inclusive, no-nonsense, transformative leader whose strengths are building solid foundations through partnerships and collaborative work and fostering more robust connections with BID stakeholders.

Melissa Hodge

Executive Director, South Orange Downtown

Melissa Hodge has 20 years of experience working with small businesses. Her goal is to help small businesses and downtowns thrive through strategic, tactical and creative placemaking initiatives. Melissa joined South Orange Downtown in 2014 as the Events and Operations Coordinator and was named Executive Director in June 2021.

Since stepping into the ED role, Melissa has secured over $100,000 in grant funding, led two public art projects, launched a facade improvement grant program, activated the downtown with dynamic events that spotlight local businesses and supported South Orange’s revitalization efforts by helping to streamline the process of opening a new business. Melissa previously worked at the Jamaica Center BID for 2 years where she served as the primary liaison between the BID and over 300 local businesses.

Prior to working at Jamaica Center BID, Melissa worked at the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (MetroTech BID and Fulton Mall Improvement Association) for 8 years where she assisted with research and mapping for the Downtown Brooklyn Wayfinding System, secured funding for arts initiatives, produced a diverse music series, coordinated the annual health fair and spearheaded the piloting and management of the Willoughby Pedestrian Plaza. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from Baruch College and is a Coro Neighborhood Leadership alumna

Melissa is a member of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.

Christie Huus

EVP of Public Affairs & Special Projects, New Jersey Economic Development Authority

Ms. Huus is the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority where she oversees Communications, Marketing & Events. Prior to joining the NJEDA, Ms. Huus worked at the at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum as Senior Vice President of Special Projects and Events where she oversaw events and business partnerships including the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony. Prior to that, she worked under Mayor Mike Bloomberg in the NYC Mayor’s Office as the Director of Strategic Planning and Development, responsible for permitting and coordination of major events in New York City. She lives in Maplewood with her husband and two children.

Lauren LaRusso

NY/NJ World Cup 2026 Host Committee, Co-Host City Manager

Lauren Nathan-LaRusso currently serves as the Co-Host City Manager and General Counsel of the New York New Jersey Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is responsible for delivering all aspects of the tournament with FIFA. Lauren’s professional background spans both the public and private sectors. Most recently, she served as Senior Counsel for the New Jersey Governor and oversaw various state and bi-state authorities to ensure complex project delivery and management. Her work in the state on various aspects of government services, including transportation, community development, and economic growth, along with her legal experience negotiating inside and outside the courtroom, has prepared her well to ensure New Jersey and the region leverage the unique opportunity and diverse benefits the FIFA World Cup brings to our community.

Dawn Mackey

Executive Director, Metuchen Downtown Alliance

Dawn Mackey is the Executive Director of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance currently serving her 2nd term as a Councilwoman in Westfield. Mackey had a long career as a commercial title examiner in NYC while owning an events production company. These skills served her well when she assumed her council role in 2018. As a small business owner herself, she requested the role of liaison to the Downtown Westfield Corporation, engaging multiple stakeholders and ushering the district through the pandemic. As Chair of the Code Review Committee, she advocated for proactively changing local ordinances to create a more business welcoming environment, paving the way for a Brewery and a Maker’s space.

Mackey has a passion for public art, placemaking, and community building, which has culminated in Westfield’s series of underpass murals, the Art Takes Flight Butterly sculptures and her most notable accomplishment, the creation of AddamsFest. In its 6th year, the month-long festival celebrates hometown celebrity artist Charles Addams, who created the Addams Family. A variety of experiences, including a curated art exhibit, a Masquerade Ball, and an Ale Garden welcome visitors from more than 85 NJ towns and has become a destination event for fans from as far away as Georgia, Buffalo, and Indiana.

Mackey had the good fortune to join Metuchen after its nomination for the Great American Main Street Award in 2022 and spent her first months amplifying the significance of the award, celebrating the win in 2023, and most importantly, the many volunteers that made Metuchen’s transformation possible

Courtenay Mercer, PP, AICP

Principal, Mercer Planning Associates

Courtenay D. Mercer, PP, AICP is the Principal of Mercer Planning Associates, a boutique land use planning firm specializing in comprehensive planning and strategic community engagement. With substantial public and non-profit sector experience, Courtenay has overseen diverse and complex projects within all types of communities. In her current role, and as the former Director of Planning at the NJ Office of Smart Growth and NJ Director of the Regional Plan Association, Courtenay has been at the forefront of policy and planning initiatives of state and regional significance.

In addition to public and private sector planning work, Courtenay is involved with many civic and volunteer efforts, including public community boards and non-profit organizations. Courtenay is a former Trustee on the Board of the American Planning Association and former President of the NJ Chapter. Courtenay is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in redevelopment, downtown revitalization, bike/ped safety, state and regional planning policy, and equitable community engagement approaches.

Courtenay is the consulting Executive Director of Downtown New Jersey.

Natalie Pineiro

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, New Jersey Redevelopment Authority

Coming Soon…

Peniiro is a member of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.

Anthony Smith

Executive Director, Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District

Anthony Smith, a native Newarker, is the Executive Director (ED) for Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (LPCCD), a non-profit community economic development organization focusing on leveraging creative placemaking and place-based development through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion, social justice, and community advocacy, to restore a low-income historical neighborhood in Newark. Anthony’s ascended to the leadership position at LPCCD after serving this community for over two decades. Anthony’s leadership in master planning for LCPPD advanced the construction of over 50M dollars of US Green Building Council LEED mixed-used and affordable housing units with gold and silver ratings that have yielded 102 new units of affordable housing in Lincoln Park. 

As the Executive Producer of the Lincoln Park Music Festival, which attracts over 50 thousand attendees each year, he cultivates relationships with private and public sector and is responsible for artist programming, funding sources and strategic planning of LCCPD.  He manages a marketing and communications and PR teams for the festival and directs the LPCCD arts-based outreach program, Music Speaks. 

Anthony’s contribution to the civic culture of Newark is a hallmark of his personhood.   As a Legislative Aide for nearly a decade to an elected Newark city council official, his advocacy shepherded advancements in economic development, social justice, expansion of community health care opportunities, arts and tourism, and neighborhood building.  Anthony’s commitment to the Arts in Newark is indelible. His recent collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark led to the development of programs and marketing strategies that served to attract diverse and eclectic audiences.   The Emmy-nominated program, Lost Jazz Shrines, which paid tribute to impact of Jazz and its’ historic significance on the Newark scene, is a result of his tireless contribution to the arts community in Newark. As a consultant in the Mayor’s Office of Tourism, Arts and Entertainment in New Orleans, LA, Anthony’s voice helped raise public awareness of the City’s rich cultural heritage.

Anthony is the Founder and CEO of Jambalaya Productions, a full-service events management company. 

He holds a BA in Marketing from Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey and an MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. Anthony also studied at Wroxton College in the United Kingdom as an International Business Fellow. He is a licensed Property and Casualty Producer in New Jersey and New York and a National Accredited Risk Manager. He is a graduate of Leadership Newark’s Charter Class, the Institute of Ethical Leadership Rutgers Business School. Always an educator, Anthony was an Adjunct Business Professor at Essex County College; guest lectured at Rutgers University, Newark campus, and currently serves as a Commissioner on the City of Newark Landmarks and Historical Preservation Committee

Nate Storring

Executive Director, Project for Public Spaces

Nate Storring is a Co-Executive Director of Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit dedicated to creating community-powered public spaces around the world. As a nonprofit professional, researcher, and writer, he has spent his career investigating participatory approaches to placemaking. He has authored and edited a wide variety of publications from practical guides on inclusive placemaking, transportation on main street, and innovation districts to a career-spanning collection of Jane Jacobs’ short writings. His latest edited book, Hyperlocal: Place Governance in a Fragmented World, explores the past, present, and future of how American cities manage their public realm.

Chris Watson

Director of Planning and Development Services, Murphy Schiller & Wilkes

Christopher A. Watson, M.Sc., Ph.D.[c] serves as the Director of Planning and Development Services at Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW). In this role, he leads a team of professionals in actualizing development projects, from conception to certificate of occupancy, in municipalities throughout New Jersey, with a particular focus on projects located in the City of Newark – New Jersey’s largest municipality. Prior to joining MSW, Chris served as City Planning Officer (Director of City Planning) for the City of Newark, New Jersey. In that capacity he was able to advance key policy initiatives for the administration of Mayor Ras J. Baraka, including the adoption of the City’s latest ten-year master plan, Newark360, the winner of New Jersey’s American Planning Association 2022 Planning Excellence award for Plan of the Year. Chris is a national subject matter expert in planning and development and uses this acumen to advocate for his clients’ interests through all stages of the development process.

Chris has lived and worked in the City of Newark for nearly two decades. Born in Guyana, South America, he received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Guyana. He gained his master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Planning, with honors, from Hunter College, CUNY, and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in the joint Urban Systems program at the Hiller College of Architecture and Design, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University’s Graduate Center. His research interests coalesce around some of the most enduring themes of urban scholarship: the intersections of poverty, race, and class; community economic advancement and the physical and socio-political impacts and consequences of gentrification in American cities.

He is the 2018 recipient of the President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching from Queens College, CUNY where he was an adjunct professor in the Urban Studies department, teaching courses on Urban Poverty and Affluence, Graduate Research Methods, Researching New York City, and Urban Planning and City Government. Chris served as Vice President of the board of directors for the United Vailsburg Service Organization. Chris is the 2021 American Planning Association, New Jersey Chapter’s recipient of the prestigious Stuart Merk Distinguished Service Award, for forwarding planning in the City of Newark that is inclusive of the community’s voice.

Chris is an avid supporter of the arts, an urban gardener, and hiker of the many trails of New Jersey.

Bob Zuckerman

Executive Director, Red Bank RiverCenter

Bob is currently the Executive Director of the Red Bank RiverCenter, a position which he has served in since June 2022. From 2020 through 2022, Bob was the Executive Director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation and prior to that he served as E.D. of the South Orange Village Center Alliance (“SOVCA”) from 2013-2019. Bob was also a member of the South Orange Board of Trustees, having been elected in May of 2019 and serving through September 2022. Bob is serving his third year as President of Downtown New Jersey.

Bob had numerous accomplishments during his tenure in Westfield, including recruiting and overseeing the opening of numerous new businesses and securing over $200,000 in grant funding.  As Executive Director of the South Orange Village Center Alliance, Bob presided over the opening of over two-dozen new businesses and personally recruited many of those businesses, including Pet Wants SOMA which he co-founded.

Prior to leading SOVCA, Bob served as Executive Director of the Lower East Side Business Improvement District in New York City, where he led that organization’s efforts to attract more shoppers, diners, businesses, and investment in one of New York’s most rapidly changing neighborhoods. Bob is a graduate of Livingston High School, received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Emory University and a law degree from American University. He recently moved to Asbury Park, where he resides with his husband Grant Neumann and their two rescue cats, Willie and Zoey.

Bob is the President of the Downtown New Jersey Board of Trustees.