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.

2012-2013 Board of Trustees

Jason Battaglia (2006)
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.

Donna Kuiper Dykstra (2012)
Glen Rock, New Jersey. Occupation: Teacher.  Church Affiliation:  Christian Reformed.

James Halliday (2012)
Brooklyn, New York. Occupation: Financial Services-Information Technology.  Church Affiliation:  Roman Catholic.

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

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

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

Deirdre Mingey (2011)
Jersey City, New Jersey. Occupation:  Teacher. Church Affiliation: Episcopalian

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

2012-2013 Advisors

Joan Allman Bates
Terry Battaglia
Joel Belz
Steve DeGeorge
Peter Dykstra
Mary Feury
Jennifer Gross
Steve Kaufmann
Ruth Kuder
Joan Isaacs Litman
Daniel Meeter
Scott Minerd
Bret Schundler
Birgit Solano Richante
Yunho Song