South Jersey Magazine - Marlton / Medford

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SuperWomen 2024 - FINAL - R1_SJM Feature 10 / 22 / 24 4 : 36 PM Page 3 SUPER W OMEN 2024 Karen Cohen Rachael Glashan Rupisan Glashan Rupisan is a Following the passing of her father , highly accomplished Cohen turned to travel as a way to clear her strategy and thought mind and heal from her grief . A year later in leader with a proven August of 2023 , Cohen attended a monthlong growth record for nonprofit trip to South Africa and Madagascar , not yet organizations . In 2022 , she knowing the impact it would make on her life . became the executive direc - While on this trip , Cohen connected with tor for the Alice Paul Center Madagscar - native tour guides Andreas Miha for Gender Justice ( formerly and Zafison Theophile , and began discussing Alice Paul Institute ) , named the struggles of the people and the best ways after outspoken feminist ac - to address those needs . tivist Alice Paul , who hails “ The people of Madagascar are the most kind , hard - working human beings I from Mount Laurel . Contin - have ever met , ” says Cohen . “ Sadly , they live in abject poverty . The children walk uing Paul’s mission , the barefoot to an infested river that is many miles from their home to bathe , drink center works toward build - and wash clothes in . There is no access to clean water . There is very little food or ing a movement of gender basic necessities . And there are no schools for most of the children . ” justice and the empower - At the end of her trip , Cohen left most of her clothing , sneakers and toiletries ment of girls and young with Miha and Theophile to redistribute to families in need . Despite arriving back women . In just two years , Glashan Rupisan has led major organizational transition , home , the people of Madagascar never left her mind or heart and she continued to boosted funding , and strengthened the organization’s visibility and impact on the think of ways she could be involved . gender justice ecosystem . In 2023 , she became a member of the Philadelphia In December 2023 , Cohen returned to Madagascar and distributed 300 flip - Forum of Executive Women — a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in ex - flops to children in need of new footwear . By her third trip earlier this year , Cohen ecutive leadership roles . was able to build and prepare the first well to provide clean drinking water . Glashan Rupisan has served on various nonprofit committees including Dance Wanting to do more led Cohen to found Philawell — a charitable organization USA’s National Host Committee , N.J . History Conference Planning Committee , dedicated to providing clean water , education and sustainable resources to the Philadelphia 250 Women’s Committee and the Forum’s Pay Equity Committee . Antandroy people of Madagascar . Before her fourth trip last August , Cohen con - She also serves on the board of the Leah Stein Dance Company in Philadelphia . nected with South Jersey organizations to collect monetary donations , clothes , Glashan Rupisan holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from Temple University and a school supplies and toys . Some of the initiatives she created included “ Dresses for Women in Leadership certificate from Yale University . Success ” and “ Drive By Surprise . ” Ginny Hill Meredith Lorrilliere Lorrilliere’s start in nonprofits and charity began nearly a decade Throughout her career , Hill has ago in 2014 when she joined the South Jersey Young Professionals Association championed the development of leader - ( SJYPA ) — a nonprofit composed of young South Jersey professionals invested ship skills in girls and young women , in - in making a lasting and positive impact on the community by supporting local spiring them to step into their potential . charities through donations . It was within this organization that Lorrilliere initially As CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central and joined the planning committee and the marketing efforts for Halo Ball , SJYPA’s Southern New Jersey ( GSCSNJ ) , Hill has largest annual event . expanded the organization’s reach , wel - During her run with SJYPA , Halo Ball coming 14,345 new members this year raised about $ 400,000 for Camp No Worries , and making Girl Scouting accessible to Acenda and Hopeworks , and supported sev - more girls and families than ever before . eral other organizations with smaller dona - In 2023 , Hill and her team opened tions including Bancroft , Big Brothers Big Sis - the Girl Scout DreamLab in North ters , Cathedral Kitchen , Catholic Partnership Brunswick , the third of its kind in the Schools , Covenant House , Food Bank of South country , exemplifying their commitment Jersey , Joseph’s Fund , Operation Yellow Rib - to innovation . This forward - thinking space offers girls hands - on experiences in bon , Pride Paws and The Salvation Army Cam - STEM , creativity and outdoor skills , fostering both exploration and confidence . den Kroc Center . After one year with SJYPA , The DreamLab is more than just a learning center : It marks a pivotal moment in Lorrilliere was elected to serve on the board Girl Scouting’s evolution , a testament to Hill’s leadership and the organization’s of trustees and in 2017 became the secretary , readiness to develop at the “ speed of girls . ” Under Hill’s guidance , her local Girl a position she held through 2020 . Scout Council is embracing innovative solutions to meet the needs of both today’s Today , Lorrilliere proudly oversees development of programming for The Cham - and tomorrow’s girls , ensuring they have access to the experiences and core ber of Commerce of South Jersey’s ( CCSNJ ) Nonprofit Council . In this role , she helps values that have defined Girl Scouting for over a century . over 100 nonprofit members grow their organizations via a forum for sharing best Hill is optimistic about the future of the Girl Scout movement , seeing it as practices and strategies that can be used to advance their missions . Lorrilliere also more than just preparing girls for the challenges ahead — it’s about empowering coordinates CCSNJ’s Day of Service where member companies are recruited to par - them to shape the future . Under her leadership , Girl Scouts is a vital force in ticipate in service projects at up to 10 different nonprofits in a single day . helping girls from both Central and South Jersey build confidence , develop lead - Lorrilliere has served on The Salvation Army Camden Kroc Center’s community ership skills , and navigate life with purpose and joy . As girls face new challenges relations and development committee since 2023 and served on the organization’s and opportunities , Girl Scouts remains a powerful partner in helping them grow 10th anniversary committee in 2024 . She is also currently serving on the planning into capable , resilient leaders who will make a lasting difference in their com - committee for Hopeworks ’ 25th anniversary , to be celebrated in September 2025 . munities and beyond . 3 8 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 2 1 • I S S U E 7 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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SuperWomen 2024 - FINAL - R1_SJM Feature 10 / 22 / 24 4 : 36 PM Page 4 NicoleRoberts MargueriteStubbs Stubbs spent her career and post retirement The daughter of founding members years in academic institutions supporting students and of the Homestead Youth Association ( HYA ) in guiding them to reach their fullest potential . She began Pennsauken , Roberts learned the value of com - her career as a teacher after graduating from Glassboro munity - based recreational opportunities at an State College before returning to school at Temple Uni - early age . Participating in HYA’s programs led versity to become a guidance counselor . Later Stubbs be - her to understand the value of donating her time came the director of counseling and career advancement , and talents in service to others . From this expe - kicking off a long professional career at Rowan University rience Roberts naturally developed a passion for where she held many titles before retiring in 2003 . her own volunteer work . The Roberts have been Throughout her life Stubbs has made impact actively involved in the Pennsauken Youth Athletic Association ( PYAA ) , volunteering through her involvement with charitable and educational organizations . At Rowan their time as their children participated in various sports programs . Additionally , she served as the treasurer for the alumni board , administrator for the Charlotte W . Roberts has served on the board of the South Jersey Rising Stars AAU basketball Newcombe Scholarship , and is a founding member of the Women’s Studies Advisory organization for the past 20 years , focusing on youth development and athletics . Board and The Professional Women’s Network . Previously , Stubbs held positions as Her commitment to community service extends to her work with the Obsidian an advisory board member for the Center for People in Transition , treasurer and Charitable Foundation ( OCF ) , a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting un - president of the Volunteer Center of South Jersey and chair of the Gloucester County derserved communities . Commission for Women . She was also a member of The American Association for In December 2020 , Roberts was appointed to serve on Pennsauken Township Counseling and Development , Phi Delta Kappa , The American Association of Women Committee , becoming the first Black woman to serve on the township’s governing Deans and Counselors , and more . She is also currently the president of the Pennsauken body . Her swearing - in at the township’s reorganization meeting in January 2022 High School Golden Anniversary Club . marked another milestone as she took on the role of Pennsauken Township’s first Stubbs has received several awards including Rowan’s Management Institution’s Black female deputy mayor . Presently , Roberts is the liaison to the Library Board , Outstanding Leadership Staff Award , Rowan SGA’s Wayne S . Hoffner Outstanding Environmental Commission , Shade Tree Commission and Pennsauken Historical Achievement Award , the Rowan Alumni Ambassador Award and the Outstanding Society . She actively supports a variety of municipal endeavors , including the new Women Achievement Award from Alpha Phi Alpha . In 2005 she was inducted to municipal building and library project , the forthcoming community center project , Rowan’s Wall of Fame . and several recreational and open space initiatives . Stubbs ’ love for Rowan University and the students she works with there are Roberts is a lifelong resident of Pennsauken , rooted in a strong foundation in further exemplified through the Piazza Stubbs Scholarship Endowment , created and community service and education . With over 20 years in the educational field , she funded by her and her late husband William to support one senior education or has dedicated 15 of those years to the Pennsauken School District , contributing to ! communication student annually . the development and support of local students . SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 21 issue 7 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 39

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