Board of Trustees

Mustard Seed is grateful for the work of the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council.

A Board of Trustees provides oversight for Mustard Seed School and The Nest.  The Board is composed of 5-15 members, including the Head of School.  Each member of the Board has been nominated, interviewed, and approved by the Board. The term of office for each Board Member is three years and each member may serve for up to five consecutive terms.  The board includes people with a variety of skills:  finance, real estate, education, fundraising, spiritual direction, and business management, to name just a few.  All share a deep commitment to Mustard Seed’s work in Hoboken, the U.S., and around the world.

The daily operations of the educational program are under the purview of the Head of School.  The primary responsibilities of The Board include:

•    Controlling the property, business, affairs and funds of the school
•    Setting the budget and overseeing the school's financial well-being.
•    Hiring, supporting and evaluating the Head of School. 
•    Guiding the school to fulfill its mission.

2011-2012 Board of Trustees

Jason Battaglia (2006)
President
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Health Care Marketing. Church Affiliation: Presbyterian

Erin Bellissimo (2009)
Secretary
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Director, Columbia Business School. Church Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Lora Gaston (2009)
New York, New York. Occupation: Nonprofit Management. Church Affiliation: Presbyterian.

Kimberly Kaufmann (2007)
Astoria, New York. Occupation: Writer.

Jessica Lambert (2011)
Jersey City, New Jersey.  Occupation: Pastor.  Church Affiliation: Lutheran.

Mark Meyer (1998)
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Economist. Church Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Deidre Mingey (2011)
Jersey City, New Jersey. Occupation:  Teacher.

Sheila Mulcahy (2010)
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Philanthropy Consultant. Church Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Thomas Postema (2011)
Ex-Officio
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Head of School, Mustard Seed School. Church Affiliation: Christian Reformed.

Todd Parker (2011)
Queens, New York.  Occupation:  Attorney.  Church Affiliation: Presbyterian.

Scott Rostan (2010)
Treasurer
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Corporate Trainer. Church Affiliation: Episcopalian.

Lynn G. Schundler (2009)
Vice President
Jersey City, New Jersey. Occupation: Attorney. Church Affiliation: Episcopalian.

Antonio Silva (2007)
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Investment Analyst. Church Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Tanya Wolfram (2009)
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Community Development Finance. Church Affiliation: Presbyterian.

Advisory Council

The Advisory Council is the Mustard Seed School “Think Tank.”  Advisors come together once a year to offer fresh perspective and ideas to the board and staff.

2011-2012 Advisors

Dave Almroth
Terry Battaglia
Joel Belz
Steve DeGeorge
Jennifer Gross
Jim Halliday
Steve Kaufmann
Ruth Kuder
Joan Isaacs Litman
Margaret Lukens
Daniel Meeter
Scott Minerd
Bret Schundler
Birgit Solano Richante