CHAIR

Caroline (she/her) works as the Associate Vice President for Campus Libraries at Rutgers University Libraries. Prior to her work in librarianship which she has done for over 15 years, she worked in politics as a community organizer and fundraiser. This work feels like an important and necessary contribution to upholding the values of the borough today.

Talk to Caroline about the power of libraries, queer leadership, and what it was like to grow up in Metuchen (MHS class of 2000!)

PROGRAMS

Ankur (he/him) has a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and is the founder and president of SKG RegenMed Consulting. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Ankur has been involved in Metuchen sports as a coach and board member and has mentored Metuchen teams in the First Lego League Robotics competition.

Talk to Ankur about representation in the STEM fields and making STEM approachable for all. 

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Cj Giovingo (they/them) is a Systems Engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where they were part of the team that successfully landed the Perseverance rover on Mars. Prior to their engineering work, Cj worked as a political organizer around issues for the environment, union labor, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Cj previously served on the board of Out for Undergrad, a national nonprofit that helps high achieving LGBTQIA+ undergraduates reach their full potential. In 2021, Cj was selected to the Queer 50 list which highlights influential Queer leaders in tech, business, and beyond.

Talk to Cj about being a college drop-out turned rocket scientist, growing up in the south, being a queer parent, and navigating an invisible disability.

MARKETING

Vidhi (she/her) is the Chief Marketing Officer at eClinical Solutions. She has over 20 years of experience gained at IBM and at clinical research technology companies such as Medidata Solutions and ERT (Clario). Vidhi believes that to develop life-saving medicines and therapies for everyone, we must use technology to conduct research in diverse populations.

Talk to Vidhi about the need for diversity in clinical research and what it was like growing up in the UK, Norway and Indonesia.

TREASURER

Shawn Hickson (he/him) is a Relationship Manager with TD Bank assisting business owners obtaining financing for working capital, equipment financing and commercial real estate mortgages. Shawn also leads the TD Bank PA/NJ Forever Proud LGBTQ2+ Employee Business Group Customer/Community pillar where colleagues partner with local Q+ organizations for volunteer work and financial literacy. Outside of his day to day work responsibilities, Shawn is active with the New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce and was recently named one of the 2023 40 under 40 by the Somerset County Business Partnership.

Talk to Shawn about the impact the LGBTQ2+ community has on our local small businesses!

SECRETARY

Susan (she/her) is an attorney and partner with the law firm Santomassimo Davis LLP/Outside General Counsel Solutions in Parsippany, NJ.  Her legal career has included working at her own small firm (on Main Street in Metuchen) to big law (Lowenstein Sandler and Drinker Biddle & Reath) to in-house with a small pharmaceutical company, and as a law clerk to the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.  Susan is excited to partner with other community members to provide and facilitate advocacy, support and education for the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Talk to Susan about working with non-profits and her love for improvisational theater!