Library Foundation

Co-President

Gillian Sarjeant-Allen is a highly accomplished leader recognized for her ability to bring diverse communities together to drive meaningful change. She has dedicated over two decades to empowering Black and Latino communities in Jersey City through a collaborative approach, championing causes such as food accessibility, crime reduction, healthcare improvement, affordable housing, and environmental justice. Her multifaceted efforts in community development are rooted in fostering partnerships with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and residents to address systemic challenges and promote prosperity. As Founder and Lead Relationship Strategist at Radical Solutions LLC, Gillian continues to prioritize grassroots engagement and advocacy. She has forged impactful collaborations with organizations like I Love Greenville Community Plan, Garden State Community Development Corporation, and Black Wall Street Jersey City, working to expand homeownership education, provide affordable housing, and create opportunities for seniors, youth, and Black professionals. Gillian’s unwavering commitment to equity and community impact makes her an inspiring figure in Jersey City and beyond.

Co-President

Edwin Blanco is a Jersey City native; having grown up in the West Side neighborhood, he attended Our Lady of Victories and Hudson Catholic High School.  He currently lives Downtown with his wife Vera.   

His first interaction with the JCFPL was exploring the former West Side Branch’s encyclopedia for a 5th grade social studies project.  As an adult, he grew an appreciation for the hub of resources the Library offers the community, from adult literacy to music and arts to serving as a third vspace for our neighbors.  Edwin joined the JCFPL Foundation board in 2021 and serves as the current Board Co- President. 

Edwin is also a Partner and Senior Director of Sales and Leasing at The Marketing Directors, a residential real estate advisory, marketing, and sales firm. 

Vice President

Rosanne Taufield was born and raised in Jersey City. Rosanne is Principal-Vice President of Real Estate Development for Panepinto Properties, Jersey City, NJ. Panepinto Properties is deeply committed to the Jersey City community and has been realizing significant projects for over four decades. Current projects Rosanne is working on in Jersey City, include: URBY at Journal Square, 499 Summit Avenue, and Harborside Plaza IV. In addition to her lifelong ties and commitment to Jersey City, Rosanne is devoted to animal conservation and educational organizations, including WCS–Bronx Zoo, Cheetah Conservation Fund New York chapter, and horse therapy. Rosanne’s personal menagerie includes a horse, rescued cats, including Serval Hybrid and Bengal cats, dogs, and a loquacious African Grey Parrot. Her accomplished dogs include UKC Champions and American Rare Breed Association Champion/Grand Champions. (Coursing and CAT/FAST CAT races, focusing on agility and sportsmanship.) Rosanne is devoted to Jersey City and aspires to enhance all aspects of the community, especially the Arts in Jersey City.

Treasurer

Eric Silverman began his real estate career shortly after college, drawn to Jersey City by a strong belief in its potential. Since 1981, he has played a key role in its transformation—not just by developing buildings, but by creating vibrant, community-focused neighborhoods.

As co-founder of SILVERMAN, Eric and his brother Paul have led award-winning projects that combine quality design with thoughtful retail and public spaces. He oversees every detail to ensure each development reflects the city’s character and fosters connection.

Eric also launched Andco, a modern coworking space in downtown Jersey City that supports local professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs.

Through historic restorations, philanthropic support, and over 1,000 new residences and 500,000+ square feet of commercial space, Eric continues to shape Jersey City with a clear purpose: “Building Neighborhoods.”

Secretary

Shane Smith is a fourth-generation Jersey City resident and a lifelong Jersey City Free Public Library user. A graduate of P.S. #31 AEP and St. Peter’s Prep, Shane spent many afternoons after school at the Five Corners Library. As an adult, Shane continued to rely on JCFPL as a source of information in his work and a resource for connecting with the Jersey City community.

After two decades in various roles in the public sector, Shane ultimately found his professional home in public libraries and spent eight years on staff at JCFPL, first as Public Information Officer and then as Chief of Staff. Shane’s years at JCFPL clarified and reinforced his dedication to elevating the role of Jersey City’s public library as the most useful and responsive institution in our community, which he continues in his work with the JCFPL Foundation.

Shane lives in the Five Corners neighborhood and works in a public library leadership role in New York City.

Member

Noreen Collins, MPA, JDA Jersey City resident since 2000, Noreen Collins brings over two decades of leadership spanning public service, higher education administration, and nonprofit arts governance. Admitted to the New York Bar in 2004, her career includes senior roles with the NYC Administration for Children’s Services and Brooklyn College, where she focused on governance, institutional operations, and development. Noreen is a dedicated champion of the Jersey City cultural scene. She served as Vice President of the Jersey City Theater Center and on the board of Dress for Success Hudson County. As a founding member of Stoop Opera and Zombie Opera, she was instrumental in scaling these grassroots initiatives from neighborhood stoop performances into major community events in Hamilton Park. Noreen holds an MPA from Columbia University (SIPA) and a JD from Brooklyn Law School. She remains committed to fostering inclusive cultural experiences through strong organizational stewardship and community-driven advocacy. 

Member

Melida Rodas is a Guatemalan-born multidisciplinary artist, educator, and activist currently serving as the Poet Laureate of Jersey City (2025–2026). A central figure in the New Jersey arts scene, Rodas made history in 2013 as the city’s first Inaugural Poet. Her work often explores the immigrant experience, social justice, and climate advocacy, weaving together poetry, sculpture, and multimedia installations. She is the founder of JCPOFEST (the Jersey City Poetry Festival) and a co-founder of Greenville Arts Crossroads, a grassroots organization dedicated to uplifting local creative talent. 

With over 20 years of experience as an educator, Rodas is deeply committed to community engagement. She serves as an ambassador for the literary arts and works as a coordinator for initiatives supporting neurodivergent children. Her writing has been published by Oxford University Press and The Feminist Press, appearing alongside icons like Walt Whitman and Bruce Springsteen. In 2023, she was honored with the Jersey City “Woman of Action” Award for her leadership in arts and culture advocacy. 

Member

Angela V. McKnight took the oath on January 9, 2024, to become the New Jersey State Senator for the 31st Legislative District. Prior, she was elected as the first New Jersey African American Assemblywoman for the 31st Legislative District. She served four terms. Senator McKnight serves on the following Senate Committees: Education, Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens and Law and Public Safety! She also is a member of the Joint Committee on Public Schools. She is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). She is the Carepreneur, who is the Founder & CEO of the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization AngelaCARES, Inc. She is also an entrepreneur running a few businesses and a self-published author. As an activist and social advocate, McKnight serves as a Board Chair and Member on several boards in New Jersey. She has received numerous honors for her advocacy in the community and accomplishments. Angela resides in her hometown Jersey City, NJ. She is married to her high school sweetheart Anthony. They have two children Ana’jah & Anthony Jr. as well as an amazing grandson named Jordan!

Member

Chipo Sachirarwe is a dynamic leader adept at driving growth across a spectrum of public, corporate, and venture-backed enterprises. Her approach focuses on creating sustainable resolutions to entrenched problems within market structures by strategically harnessing public, private, and philanthropic alliances. Through innovative thinking and expert technical acumen, Chipo is reshaping billion-dollar financial systems to better cater to the needs of society at large. Chipo is an adept leader who drives growth and scale for corporations through innovative thinking and expert technical acumen. By deploying a strategic blend of public, private, and philanthropic capital, she addresses deep-rooted challenges within market systems with sustainable solutions. Chipo is working to reshape our trillion-dollar financial systems to serve the needs of everyone in our society by default.

Member

Glenn Smith-Perrot is a higher education leader, community builder, and strategist working at the intersection of education, workforce development, and civic engagement. His work is grounded in a clear focus: expanding access, strengthening talent pipelines, and creating pathways that move individuals from education into meaningful careers. He currently serves as Alumni Experience Program Manager at the Fashion Scholarship Fund, where he designs high-impact programs that support alumni through career advancement, industry transitions, and long-term professional growth. His approach centers on building ecosystems that do not just engage participants but actively position them for opportunity. Glenn brings nearly a decade of experience from New York University, where he held leadership roles across student success, academic advising, and alumni engagement. At NYU Stern, he served as Assistant Director for the Berkley Achievement Scholars and Breakthrough Scholars programs, leading initiatives in experiential learning, mentorship, and student development. He later transitioned to University Development and Alumni Relations, where he launched global alumni engagement strategies and helped reactivate communities across more than 15 cities, strengthening networks that continue to connect alumni to each other and to opportunity. 

In Jersey City, Glenn is an active civic leader focused on building stronger, more connected communities. He serves as Vice President of the Hamilton Park Condominium Association, supporting governance, operations, and resident engagement. Within the Hudson County Democratic Organization, Glenn serves as both a Committee Person and Chair of the Voter Empowerment Committee, where he works to increase civic participation, expand access to information, and ensure residents are equipped to engage meaningfully in local decision-making. 
 

Glenn holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from New York University and a Master of Education in Political Science from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. He believes that while systems shape outcomes, real impact is felt when those systems are designed with intention, equity, and a deep commitment to the communities they serve. 

Ex-Official Member

Terry B. Hill has an extensive background in libraries with 30 years of experience across academic, school, and public libraries. Since 2021, he has served as the Director of the Jersey City Free Public Library in Jersey City, NJ. Prior to coming to Jersey City, he was the Deputy Director of the Durham County Library in Durham, NC. His work in public libraries focuses on early childhood literacy, digital literacy, access to resources, and leveraging strategic partnerships to expand the library’s reach within the community. Terry holds a BA in Sociology and MA in Political Science from Appalachian State University and he received his MSLS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ex-Official Member

Tiffany E. McQueary, MPA began her career in 2008, as Program Coordinator for Suits for Success in Hudson County, where she played a vital role in supporting thousands of clients toward self-sufficiency. After getting her master’s she worked for Marist High School as Director of Marketing & Admissions and later as Chief Advancement Officer, where she ran a successful campaign that postponed the closure of the school. She then served as Director of Development & Marketing at Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth before transitioning into her current role as the first Development Officer for the Jersey City Free Public Library. Since taking her role at the Library Tiffany has developed new community partnerships, secured grants, and increased individual donations by 232%. Passionate about community involvement, she has been Chair of the I Love Greenville Community Partnership (ILGCP) since 2011. As chair of the ILGCP, she has worked tirelessly to secure millions in Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) funding, supporting initiatives focused on housing, employment, education, health and wellness, and economic development in the Greenville area, a community she deeply loves.

Emeritus Board Member

Curt Harris is deputy general counsel at the Vera Institute of Justice. In this role, he drafts, reviews, and negotiates a variety of contracts; assists in managing and advising the Institutional Review Board; oversees the coordination of Vera’s pro bono work with external firms; and spearheads the maintenance and expansion of supplier diversity within Vera’s procurement. Prior to Vera, Curt worked as managing director of restorative investing at Rising Tide Capital, a nonprofit that provides business development resources in underserved communities. He previously worked in development, including at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center and NYU Langone; and was vice president and assistant general counsel at Lendlease Americas, Inc. and an associate at Gibbons, P.C.

In addition, Curt serves as the Secretary for the Board of the Trustees of the Jersey City Free Public Library. He is also a founding Steering Committee Member of the Brown University Alumni in Real Estate Group.

Curt holds an AB in organizational behavior and management from Brown University and a JD from Fordham University School of Law.

Emeritus Board Member

Gabrielle (Gabby) Gannon is the Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, where she leads strategic efforts in recruitment and enrollment management. With 14 years of experience in higher education, Gabrielle is a champion for access and opportunity, holding a BA in Communication Studies from Pace University and an MSEd from Baruch College’s Marxe School of Public and International Affairs. A proud Jersey City resident, she co-leads Jersey City Mamas, a community group dedicated to supporting mothers and families. Through this work, she has helped raise funds and awareness for local organizations including the Jersey City Free Public Library, York Street Project, Jersey City Mutual Aid Society, and the Youth Foundation of Jersey City. Gabrielle believes deeply in the power of education and literacy to transform lives, and the critical role public libraries play in fostering equity and connection within the community. She lives downtown with her husband and two book-loving daughters.

Emeritus Board Member

Denise Dash is a finance professional at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a proud Jersey City resident. She lives with her husband and two daughters and co-leads Jersey City Mamas, reflecting her strong commitment to community. Through this work, she fosters connection, shares resources and champions initiatives that uplift local families. Denise is a strong advocate for the transformative role that public libraries play in communities. She values the Jersey City Free Public Library system not just as a center for learning, but as a cornerstone of opportunity, empowerment, and inclusion for all residents.

Emeritus Board Member

Thomas Leane assists clients across a broad range of real estate, redevelopment, environmental and litigation issues. Thomas represents a wide array of property owners in obtaining entitlements for residential and commercial developments. He regularly appears before land use boards and municipal councils in order to obtain site plan approvals, variances, zoning and redevelopment plan changes and tax abatements.

Thomas has been involved in the development of the Jersey City waterfront and Journal Square, including the tallest building ever approved in the State of New Jersey. As part of his practice he has also counseled clients on residential and commercial landlord and tenant matters, business formation and organization, condominium forms of ownership and municipal code violations.

After law school, Thomas clerked for the Honorable Lisa Rose, J.S.C. for whom he prepared drafts of unpublished legal opinions, bench memoranda and legal research on criminal law and procedure. He also served as Law Clerk for the Office of County Counsel, Hudson County, from 2009-2011 where he provided research and drafts of briefs and court motions, assisted in preparing memoranda for County attorneys and assisted the First Assistant County Counsel with trial organization and preparation.