Women of Distinction and Community Partners Gala 2023

April 19, 2023

Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club

A message from the CEO

Dear Girl Scout Family,

Thank you for joining us at our 2023 Women of Distinction and Community Partners Gala, as we celebrate and recognize extraordinary honorees who inspire our girls to become the leaders of tomorrow.

We are grateful for the contributions of our donors and supporters, ensuring that thousands of girls have access to the Girl Scout movement.

Tonight, we join together in support of the 11,000 members we serve in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Now more than ever, there is an urgent need to provide all girls with support and encouragement. Girl Scouts offers girls a safe place to try new things, take risks, step outside their comfort zone, and demonstrate leadership. This year we’ve accelerated our initiatives to give girls the tools to become the next generation of powerful women leaders. We are working to create a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable organization where all girls have the chance to reach their full potential. We are proud to offer every girl, in these ever-changing times, a chance to prepare for a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success.

For 111 years, Girl Scouts have eagerly earned badges and display them proudly. Badges are a great way for a girl to explore her interests and learn new skills— and to remember every adventure and show the world what she’s accomplished. Whether she dreams of making her own movie, cooking food from a different country, sleeping under the stars, writing a book of short stories, or planting a garden, girls challenge themselves and show the world that they can achieve anything because they are Girl Scout Strong.

Your support means the world to a girl who receives the courage, confidence, and character that Girl Scouts provides.

The Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Bronze Sponsor

Aspire

Monmouth Medical Center

Trefoil Sponsor

Holman Frenia Allison P.C.

New Jersey Natural Gas

Badge Sponsor

Dr. Gregory A. Greco, Monmouth Plastic Surgery

Lakeland Bank

Ocean County Business Development & Tourism

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Girl Scout Sponsor

Causeway Family of Dealerships

Community Medical Center

Hiering Dupignac Stanzione & Dunn, P.C.

Local Union 400 IBEW

Pine Belt Cars

PNC Institutional Asset Management

SHI

S’mores Bar Underwriter

Commvault • ENCON

I Pink I Can • OceanFirst Foundation

Flowers Provided By Narcissus Florals

We regret any omissions due to our printing deadline.

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Board of Directors

Teri O’Connor Board Chair

Jacqueline K. Shea Second Vice Chair

Jaimie Diaz Treasurer

Nina Anuario First Vice Chair

Barbara Birdsall, Esq. Third Vice Chair

Maria Farhat-Tanzola Secretary

Members-At-Large

Laura Coccaro • Anne Davis, Esq. • Dr. Charles Ford

Jody Herkloz • Lauren Holman • Michael Maschi • Bob McLane

Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes • Brian Murphy

Ann Petronaci • Judie Saunders, Esq. • Veronica Stubbs

Benjamin L. Waldron • Jay Whalen

Heather Coburn, Chief Executive Officer

Brie Montella, Chief Operating Officer

Carla Scarabino, Vice President, External Affairs

Kayla Prendergast, Marketing & Creative Manager

Valerie Ryan, Fund Development Manager

Gala Committee

Committee Chairs

Thomas Hayes • Teri O’Connor

Members

Bahiyyah Abdullah

Thomas A. Arnone

Paige E. Baran, Esq.

Nancy Barone

Shawanda W. Beale

Sherri Bray

Tasha Youngblood Brown

Anne Davis, Esq.

Martha Delehanty

Robin Fitzmaurice

Denice Gaffney

Robin Griggs

Virginia Haines

Christine Hanlon, Esq.

Jody Herkloz

Grace Hickey

Lauren Holman, CPA

David Indursky

Manpreet K. Kohli M.D., FACS

Gabrielle Liguori

Michael Maschi

Frank (Sandy) McIntyre

Michael McCully

Kyle Morgans

Nancy Peterson

Joe Ricciutti

Rosalind Seawright

Jacqueline K. Shea

Carol Stillwell

Evelyn Strain

Benjamin L. Waldron

Denise Wegeman MSW, LCSW

Jay Whalen

Paige E. Baran, Esquire

Woman of Distinction

Paige Baran is employed as an attorney with the law firm of Hiering, Dupignac, Stanzione & Dunn, P.C. located in Toms River. She joined the firm in 2009 and focuses her practice on family law, adoptions, and civil and commercial litigation. Paige earned her B.A. in Psychology from Villanova University and her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.

Paige grew up in Lavallette where she currently resides with her husband, Jarrod Grasso, her son, Hunter Grasso and her daughter, Drew Grasso. Growing up, she was a Brownie, Junior, and Cadette Girl Scout. Her time as a Girl Scout instilled in her the importance of community service and involvement, which triggered her desire to become involved with the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore as an adult. For the last six years, she has led a multi-level Girl Scout Troop currently comprised of Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts. Paige enjoys all of the organized chaos that goes along with running a large troop, watching the girls push themselves outside of their comfort zone to achieve personal goals, and imparting in the girls the importance of giving back to their community through service.

For the last 13 years, Paige has volunteered with the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore by serving on a variety of committees and has also served as co-chair of both the Phenomenal Women Under 40 event and the Women of Distinction and Community Partners Gala. Paige serves as an Operational Delegate for the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. She is also a member of the Lavallette PTO, where she previously served as a Board Member, and is a Trustee of the Andrew T. Baran Scholarship Fund, founded in honor of her late father.

Shawanda W. Beale Woman of Distinction

Mrs. Shawanda W. Beale is an Assistant Director at the New Jersey Department of Education. Prior to this position, Mrs. Beale has served as a Supervisor of Guidance, school counselor, and Language Arts teacher. Mrs. Beale holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia, Master of Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, and is a Doctor of Education degree candidate in Education Leadership at Seton Hall University.

Mrs. Beale is committed to serving her community and takes pride in her leadership roles. She serves as the chair of the Ocean Township Zoning Board of Adjustment and is a member of the Ocean Township Board of Education. In addition, Mrs. Beale is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Chartering Chapter President of Jersey Shore (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and Past President of the Jersey Shore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated.

Most importantly, Mrs. Beale is a loving wife and mother. She is passionate about setting an example for her children and instilling in them, you will only possess what you are willing to pursue. Mrs. Beale is the first African American woman to serve on boards in her community and will leave a proud legacy for her children. Mrs. Beale’s motto is, “Keep your heels, head, and standards high.” ~Coco Chanel

Lauren Holman, CPA Woman of Distinction

Lauren Holman is the lead Partner in the Not-for-Profit and Commercial Audit and Attestation Division of Holman Frenia Allison, P.C. (HFA), a regional public accounting firm of over 60 professionals serving the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania markets. Lauren obtained a B.A degree from Franklin and Marshall College and a Masters of Accountancy from the University of Virginia. She began her career as an Associate Accountant at the global accounting firm Ernst & Young. In 2006, after a number of years in public and private accounting, Lauren joined HFA. Fast forward to 2018, when Lauren became not only the firm’s youngest partner but also the firm’s first female partner.

Over the past twenty years, Lauren has discovered her true passion is helping share her knowledge of accounting and auditing with the not-for-profit community. Lauren is always looking for ways to help her clients spread their mission while ensuring their financial future is secure. Lauren’s focus doesn’t end at simply the financial services she provides, she also believes strongly in giving back in other ways.

At HFA, Lauren leads the volunteer and community service program called “HFA Cares.” Throughout the year, the firm sponsors several events where their employees are empowered to give back to the community. She plans a variety of events ranging from on-site volunteer service, to collection and donation drives. Be it with clients, staff or community, Lauren feels strongly that service at its greatest moment is when the reward is beyond financial measure.

Lauren is the Board Chair of Fulfill (formally the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties). For the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, she is a board member and the chair of the audit committee. Lauren also is a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern and Coastal New Jersey.

Lauren and her husband, and fellow partner, Matt, are proud parents to three children, Lila, 12, Cole, 9 and Luke, 7. Lauren is very active in her kids’ activities, is class mom, Treasurer of Memorial Middle School PTO and Vice-Chair of Ocean Road School PTO.

Manpreet K. Kohli M.D., FACS Woman of Distinction

Manpreet K. Kohli, MD, FACS is the Director of Breast Surgery for Monmouth Medical Center. Dr. Kohli is the hospital’s Cancer Liaison Physician for the Commission on Cancer. She is credited for creating several programs including the region’s first MagTrace program (allowing for delayed sentinel lymph node biopsy), the first Lymphedema Prevention Program utilizing Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (Sozo) in the state, and Paxman scalp cooling program for chemotherapyinduced alopecia. She was the first in NJ to become certified in “Hidden Scar” breast surgery. She strives to provide the highest level of comprehensive and compassionate breast care to set patients up for a long and successful survivorship.

She created the nonprofit organization “I Pink I Can” in 2021 to help provide equality in breast cancer care regardless of financial status. This has helped remove barriers to care for many women in Monmouth County receiving breast cancer care.

She is a wife and proud mother to Vivienne who is a Girl Scout Daisy. In her free time she enjoys playing with her mini Bernedoodle Bernadette, travelling, and scuba diving.

Education & Training:

Medical School: Kasturba Medical College Manipal, India

Residency: General Surgery, Monmouth Medical Center, NJ

Fellowship: Breast Surgical Oncology, Mount Sinai St Luke’s Roosevelt & Beth Israel Medical Center, New York

Her professional memberships include: The American Society of Breast Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, Association of Women Surgeons, and American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Denise Wegeman MSW, LCSW Woman of Distinction

A lifelong resident of the Jersey Shore, Denise Wegeman grew up in a family where helping others was second nature. After a successful career on Wall Street working as an Investment Broker, Denise felt called to pursue a career in counseling working with children and teens.

Denise attended Monmouth University and received a Master’s in Social Work. Denise opened a counseling practice in Wall Township. She quickly became involved in working with the Manasquan community, offering help in addressing the 2nd largest suicide contagion in the United States that the area was experiencing. Denise served as a consultant at Manasquan High School and provided support to help the school and community recover. She served as one of the founding members of the Monmouth County Suicide Task Force and was instrumental in lobbying the County to fund services to address suicide programming which continues today. In her work with the suicide task force, Denise served as a liaison with NJ Transit and spearheaded a campaign to address suicide.

In 2011 Denise was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year by the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. She was featured in NJ Monthly magazine as “10 Who are making a Difference.” Denise also received recognition for Outstanding Community Service and was awarded the Osprey Award from the Jersey Shore Chamber of Commerce. Denise has served on the Board of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide and the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. She currently serves on the SRF Suicide Task Force for Monmouth University.

For the past 8 years, Denise has worked in partnership with Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore and camp counselors at Camp Sacajawea and Camp Amity Acres to help provide education and support to staff in understanding child development. This initiative became extremely important during COVID in addressing the numerous obstacles that campers were presenting and helped staff provide support to their campers.

Denise is currently working in conjunction with the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore in addressing the ever-increasing mental health crisis and needs of Girl Scouts. A campaign is being rolled out to educate staff, Girl Scout leaders, camp counselors and parents. Girl Scouts will be encouraged to learn and share ideas of addressing this important topic and earn a patch. The goal is to empower the next generation to learn how to take care of themselves as well as others as we continue to recover from the pandemic and the ever- increasing mental health crisis that our children/teens are experiencing.

Thomas A. Arnone Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout

Thomas A. Arnone is currently serving his fourth, three-year term, on the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners. In 2022, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as Director of the Board. He also served as director in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and deputy director in 2012 and 2013. Director Arnone oversees the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering and serves as the liaison to Public Information, Tourism, Economic Development, the Office of Shared Services, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Council, the Improvement Authority, and the Shade Tree Commission.

Since being elected as a Commissioner, Director Arnone has been an advocate for shared services between municipalities and counties. He established the Healthy Monmouth Initiative, bringing together students from different socioeconomic backgrounds to learn about good nutritional habits. In addition, Director Arnone started the Grow Monmouth program to help revitalize the County’s business climate, developed a Façade Improvement program and set-up a Tourism Advisory Group to bring mayors and tourism leaders together. Director Arnone also created the annual Made in Monmouth event to exclusively showcase locally made consumer products.

Active in statewide organizations, Director Arnone currently represents the County on the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. He is a board member of the Salvation Army New Jersey Division and organized the inaugural Pound the Pavement for Purple in 2014 to support pancreatic cancer research. He also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children. Additionally, Director Arnone served as the 2010 president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and has been an active member of the New Jersey League of Municipalities.

Red Arrow Technologies Community Partner

Red Arrow Technologies is committed to cultivating success for our clients through innovative strategies and a bold approach to business. We pride ourselves on not only being on the cutting edge of tech advancements but also working tirelessly to build strong relationships with those we serve. We believe that technology is vital to future success, but also understand the importance of people. More than just an IT firm, we strive to build trust and generate exceptional value for all clients big and small.

Founded in 2011 by Michael McCully, Red Arrow Technologies is an IT Consulting Firm that assists clients in solving problems, improving day-to-day processes, and stimulating business growth. Based out of Eatontown, NJ, we serve clients primarily located in Monmouth and Ocean counties, however, our process has expanded in recent years to support clients with offices nationwide. Whether it is a small local business or a larger national corporation, Red Arrow is committed to becoming a part of the team.

What do we mean by this? Basically, our philosophy is that your business is our business and your success is our success. When we take on a new client, we begin by learning everything there is to learn about their culture, resources, needs, and goals. Once we have the foundation in place, we pour our knowledge, skills, experience, and most of all our dedication into our processes which provide value at every turn. What makes Red Arrow special is that we are a tight-knit team that understands the challenges businesses face as well as the vast opportunity available.

As our team has grown over the years, we have brought in exceptional talent and incredible leadership. Since 2018, Kyle Morgans has brought years of industry experience to his role as Vice President. Together, Michael and Kyle lead a team dedicated to protecting clients from evolving threats, providing education, and providing support for all areas of technology and telephone service. From workstations, servers, and email to camera systems, door access controls, and cloud-based services, we strive to be your one-stop for all tech solutions.

Bronze Sponsor

Monmouth Medical Center proudly supports the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore and congratulates our Medical Director of Breast Surgery Manpreet K. Kohli, MD, FACS, and County Commissioner Director

Thomas A. Arnone, and all of the other distinguished honorees. rwjbh.org/monmouth

Bronze Sponsor

Congratulations to the 2023 Honorees

Paige E. Baran, Esquire

Manpreet K. Kohli M.D., FACS

Shawanda W. Beale

Red Arrow Technologies

Lauren Holman, CPA

Denise Wegeman MSW, LCSW

Thomas A. Arnone

2023 Women of Distinction & Community Partners Gala Honorees

Paige E. Baran, Esquire – Hiering, Dupignac, Stanzione & Dunn, P.C.

Shawanda W. Beale – New Jersey Department of Education

Lauren Holman, CPA – Holman Frenia Allison, P.C.

Manpreet K. Kohli M.D., FACS – RWJBarnabas Health, Monmouth Medical Center

Denise Wegeman MSW, LCSW – D. Wegeman & Associates, LLC

Thomas A. Arnone – Monmouth County Commissioner Director

Red Arrow Technologies

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

God Bless You ~ We Love You

Your husband Jemal, your loving children, your mother Marion Warren, your father Michael Pace, your grandmother Mrs. Mary Warren, and your family & friends.

We are proud of you!

Proverbs Chapter 3 vs 5-6

Paige, you encourage and empower people to recognize their full potential. You lift them up in their time of need. Hunter and Drew are fortunate that you have instilled these values in them.

The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore are recognizing you for something we already knew… you are a Woman of Distinction. We love you.

Jarrod, Hunter, and Drew

T h e M o n m o u t h C o u n t y B o a r d o f C o u n t y

C o m m i s s i o n e r s a r e p r o u d t o s u p p o r t t h e

G i r l S c o u t s o f t h e J e r s e y S h o r e

W o m e n o f D i s t i n c t i o n & C o m m u n i t y

P a r t n e r s G a l a

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o t h i s y e a r ' s h o n o r e e s ! T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r c o n t i n u e d d e d i c a t i o n a n d s u p p o r t a s

c o m m u n i t y l e a d e r s a n d f o r h e l p i n g G i r l S c o u t s o f t h e J e r s e y S h o r e b u i l d g i r l s o f c o u r a g e ,

c o n f i d e n c e , a n d c h a r a c t e r , w h o m a k e t h e w o r l d a

b e t t e r p l a c e .

Congratulations

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The Ocean County Board of Commissioners

Director, Joseph H. Vicari

Deputy Director, Gary Quinn

Barbara Jo Crea

Virginia E. Haines

John P. Kelly

Girl

Women

Paige

Shawanda

Lauren

Manpreet

Denise

Thomas

Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, (Ret.)

Susan and I support the important work of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore and salute tonight’s honorees

110 West Front Street - Red Bank, New Jersey 07701

www.JoeKyrillos.com

Ocean County Mall 1201 Hooper Ave. Toms River, NJ 08753 oceanc@buildabear.com

Freehold Raceway Mall 3710 Highway 9 Freehold, NJ 07728 freehold@buildabear.com

Michael

James

Thomas

The Ocean County Camera Club congratulates tonight’s Women of Distinction & Community Partners honorees. Don’t forget to smile!

https://oceancountycameraclub.photoclubservices.com/ 2023

JUNE 5, 2023

Suneagles Golf Club

2000 Lowther Dr, Eatontown NJ

gsFun.org/golf

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

Girl Scouts’ Program Activity Center

127 Yellowbrook Rd., Farmingdale, NJ

gsFun.org/phenom

Live Like Jonathan Foundation

The foundation is our daily reminder to continue the legacy he left behind as a teenager and young adult.

He displayed a commitment and an obligation in doing small things with great love.

What matters is not the duration of his life but the donation of it. Not how long he lived, but how he lived.