Molly Cleary serves as the Environmental Advocate at Clean Water Action’s New Jersey office and has done so since early 2024. There, she serves as the primary liaison, building relationships with state and federal lawmakers to advance clean energy, toxic-free legislation, and community-driven priorities. This includes legislation creation and garnering both community and Legislative support for issues key to Clean Water Action’s mission. Molly also organizes and coordinates election duties, engaging stakeholders and campaigns alike regarding endorsements and canvassing actions, and finding alignment with Board members and staff, ensuring a cleaner, greener future for New Jersey
Previously, Molly supported Caritas Internationalis at the United Nations, producing in-depth reports on global conflicts and humanitarian issues to inform diplomatic strategy. She was active in the 2018, 2020, and 2021 elections in her home state of Georgia, serving as a Community Mobilizer and Intern on the Stacey Abrams for Governor, Raphael Warnock for Senate, and Jon Ossoff for Senate campaigns. Molly earned a Bachelor of Science in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University School of Diplomacy in 2022.
Molly enjoys connecting with the world around her and uplifting the voices of others.
Caroline Coghlan is a program specialist at the New Jersey Division of Aging Services,
Department of Human Services. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work from Rutgers University. While working for the State of New Jersey, Caroline has been involved in the implementation of the Older Americans Act through collaborative work with New Jersey’s 21 Area Agencies on Aging, the furthering of No Wrong Door initiatives including Aging and Disability Resource Connection projects, the state support of the New Jersey Caregiver Task Force, and the development and implementation of the State Plans on Aging.
Caroline is drawn to serving older adults due to the diverse nature of their needs. Through her career work, Caroline hopes to engage with the intersecting processes of community and government to improve services for one of the often forgotten, but most in-need populations – older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Khadija Doukali currently serves as a Constituent Relations Specialist at the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office, where she is dedicated to addressing constituent concerns and supporting legislative outreach efforts. She also serves on Camden County Committee for her hometown of Magnolia, New Jersey.
Khadija earned her degree in Political Science and Public Relations from York College of Pennsylvania. During and after her studies, she worked as a field organizer in several key regions across the country, including Boulder, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; and multiple areas throughout Pennsylvania.
In addition to her professional work in politics, Khadija also supports her family’s small business by helping at their pizzeria in Audubon, New Jersey.
Soranyelly Francisco is a first generation Dominican American that currently serves as Director of Constituent Services in the 19th Legislative District of New Jersey. Through her firsthand experience of navigating the intricacies of social services and higher education, the importance of building community was quickly revealed. At her alma mater, Ramapo College of New Jersey, she became a sister of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated. Her contributions to the campus and local community were recognized and she received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Office of Secretary of Higher Education. After serving as District II Director for Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.- Soranyelly’s guidance has propelled local chapters to gain several awards of recognition within their respective campuses. As a former insurance producer throughout the pandemic and witnessing the challenges that families were faced with to access resources, it sharpened Soranyelly’s awareness to existing disparities- which ultimately affirmed her desire to pursue a career path rooted in advocacy. Achieving stability, providing access to resources, and uplifting community members through philanthropic endeavors are goals that Soranyelly continues to pursue through her civic engagement, as well as through her service to the constituents of District 19.
Isabella Hanna began her public service career at the New Jersey Board of Public over two years ago, where she is currently the External Affairs Specialist, formerly the Confidential Aide to Commissioner Emeritus Marian Abdou. Before joining the Board, she applied her marketing and business background across diverse firms, from start-ups to big pharma. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Management and Marketing and her Master of Business Administration from Monmouth University. She is passionate about energy innovation, healthcare reform, and corporate transparency, and is a proud lifelong New Jerseyan.
Victoria Kerins serves as Director of Membership and Administration for the New Jersey Energy Policy Coalition, where she leads strategic initiatives to enhance member engagement, streamline operations, and support organizational growth.
Victoria also serves as the Executive Assistant to the Stevens & Lee Public Affairs group, where she provides critical support for a team of professionals working across public affairs and legal services. In this role, she ensures the smooth functioning of daily operations, manages intricate scheduling and travel logistics, and prepares and organizes essential materials for meetings, presentations, and client engagements. She actively supports client matters by coordinating documentation, tracking deliverables, and contributing to the development of high-level communications. Her contributions help drive efficiency, maintain momentum on key initiatives, and foster a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment. With a keen understanding of organizational priorities and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach, she plays an integral role in supporting the group’s continued growth and professional impact.
Previously, Victoria served as a Graduate Assistant at The College of New Jersey’s School of the Arts and Communication, where she provided administrative support, managed marketing and promotional content, and supervised a team of undergraduate ambassadors. She also coordinated campus tours and events designed to engage prospective students and showcase the school’s academic and creative programs.
In addition, Victoria gained experience through internships in journalism and secondary education and holds a New Jersey teaching license. She also serves as an Assistant Coach for a high school mock trial team in Ocean County, NJ, mentoring students in public speaking, communication, and advocacy.
She holds a B.A. in English Secondary Education and an M.A. in English from The College of New Jersey.
Abigail Lewis is the Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. She graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in Public Health and holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey. She’s previously worked as a Public Policy Specialist and Governor’s Fellow at the NJ Department of Human Services. She utilizes her background in health communication and behavioral health research to prioritize community wellbeing, compassion, and evidence-based practices in her policy advocacy.
Ameerah McCoy is a dedicated licensed social worker and policy professional from Paterson, NJ, committed to bridging government and community needs through advocacy and legislative initiatives. Her career in public service began with an internship in the office of then-Senator Nellie Pou, now the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District. She later served as Director of Constituent Services for Assemblyman Gary Schaer in Passaic, NJ, and currently serves as Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Carmen Morales in Essex County.
Beyond her legislative work, Ameerah is an adjunct professor of Advanced Social Policy and Welfare Programs at Ramapo College of New Jersey and an advisory board member for its Social Work program. She is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers–NJ Chapter and formerly served as Co-Chair of the New Jersey Young Democrats’ Women’s Caucus.
Dr. Allison Meyers earned her B.S. in biochemistry with a specialization in molecular biology from Loyola University Maryland. Following that, she received her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Her Ph.D. work focused on the metabolic regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome during sepsis, and understanding the mechanism of a novel sepsis therapeutic. During her time at Wake Forest she received two NIH training grants, and separately completed a two-year certificate in Global Health.
After nine years in the lab, Dr. Meyers switched careers to use her scientific background to help create scientifically informed legislation. She completed a one-year fellowship in the NJ State Assembly Democratic Office as an Eagleton Science and Policy Fellow. Now Dr. Meyers works in the NJ Senate Democratic office as a policy analyst for the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee and for the Senate Commerce Committee, where she uses her scientific background, research skills, and communication skills to ensure that the legislation that impacts the health of NJ citizens is scientifically sound.
Taïphane (tay~fan) Orange graduated from Brookdale Community College with an associate’s degree in Political Science. She later transferred to Monmouth University, where she graduated with honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Spanish. While being a student at Monmouth, she served for a year on the board of trustees at Brookdale as the “Student Graduate Trustee” after her graduation. Taïphane Orange is now pursuing her Master’s in public administration at Rutgers University. She works at Martin Bontempo Inc. MBI, a lobbying firm in Trenton, where she assists government affairs agents in the development of proactive government relations strategies and initiatives for their clients. Taïphane enjoys reading, swimming, watching drama shows, and discovering new places. Taïphane is very passionate about social issues, specifically education and elder care. She consistently finds ways to grow from each experience.
Delaney Redford serves as the Director of Public Affairs for the New Jersey Food Council. She provides advocacy and communications work on behalf of food retailers, including supermarkets, independent grocers and convenience stores, and their suppliers. Delaney joined the Council in 2022 as Associate Director of Public Affairs before advancing to her current role. She brings a strong background in public service and community-focused communications, shaped through internships with the International Rescue Committee, the U.S. Department of State’s NY-Metro Diplomat in Residence, and a U.S. Senator’s Office. A 2022 graduate of Drew University, she holds a B.A. in International Relations with a minor in Law, Justice, & Society and earned Civic Honors for her commitment to public engagement.”
Jennie Sherlock-Loeb is the Chief Clinical Officer at The Cooperative, where she focuses on Clinical Education, Fetal/Infant Mortality Review, and Nursing Leadership. Prior to this role, Jennie served as childbirth educator and bedside nurse in labor and delivery and mother-baby. She achieved her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from West Chester University in 2011, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Drexel University in 2015, with a focus on Nursing Leadership & Health Systems Management. Jennie is Specialty Certified in Inpatient Obstetrics, with a subspecialty certification in Obstetric and Neonatal Quality & Safety, and utilizes her clinical expertise with the development of public health programs and initiatives. Recently awarded the distinction of an Advanced Nurse Leader Certification by Synova, Jennie is dedicated to the future of the nursing profession and its impact on maternal-child health outcomes.
Zoe Stokes is a Government Affairs Analyst at Princeton Public Affairs Group (PPAG) where she provides policy research, tracks legislation, and supports the firm’s internship program. Prior to her role at PPAG, Stokes has held various internships, including roles in the New Jersey Legislative District 12 Office, the United States House of Representatives, and political campaigns.
She graduated from Colgate University with a double major in Political Science and Environmental Studies. At Colgate, Stokes was a member of the Women’s Swimming and Diving Varsity Team. She served on the Student Athlete Advisory Council and was the Co-Director of Philanthropy, leading initiatives across campus to support the Hamilton, NY community.
Miranda Toner serves as legislative aide to Assemblyman Bill Moen. She holds positions as Secretary with the Burlington County Young Democrats, Co-Vice President of the Mount Laurel Democratic Club, and Board of Trustees Secretary with the non-profit Flow Forward New Jersey. Before becoming a legislative aide, Miranda was a constituent advocate in the Fifth Legislative District and completed internships with former Assemblyman Herb Conaway, the Board of Public Utilities, and the Assembly Majority Office.
Emily Vargas is a Legislative Aide in the New Jersey General Assembly, serving in the Office of Assemblywoman Linda Carter. She first joined the office as an intern, where her initiative, reliability, and interest in public service quickly stood out. She soon transitioned into a full-time role, where she now supports legislative priorities through policy research, bill preparation, and constituent outreach.
In her current position, Emily reviews and analyzes legislation, prepares memos and talking points, and works closely with the Office of Legislative Services, committee staff, and community partners to help move meaningful policy forward. She also assists with constituent casework, ensuring residents across the 22nd District receive timely and informed support. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to equity, education, mental health, and transparency in government.
Emily earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kean University, graduating with honors and earning membership in national honor societies such as Phi Alpha Theta, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Phi Kappa Phi. Before joining the Legislature, she developed leadership and communication skills through customer-facing and supervisory roles, as well as tutoring and youth support work in New York City.
Motivated by her commitment to public service and uplifting underrepresented communities, Emily hopes to continue building her career in policy and civic leadership. She views the WPCNJ Fellowship as an opportunity to deepen her legislative experience, learn from women leaders across the state, and continue building a career centered on service and impact.
Keyann’a Watkins – Born and raised in the City of Camden, is deeply committed to public service and community impact. She attended Sacred Heart School and Paul VI High School before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Human Resources from Rutgers University–Camden, where she also served as Vice President of the Student Governing Association.
Keyann’a currently serves as the Community Engagement & Events Coordinator in the Office of the Mayor, City of Camden. In this role, she manages corporate partnerships, coordinates community volunteers, and supports the planning and execution of major citywide events helping strengthen collaboration among residents, agencies, and sponsoring organizations.
Outside of City Hall, she serves as Vice President of Echelon Camden, the young professionals board of The Salvation Army, participates on the Alumni Committee for Catholic Partnership Schools, and sits on the Board of Trustees for the Community Planning & Advocacy Council. She completed her Master of Business Administration degree in 2025. Her work centers on creating spaces where young women and communities of color feel seen, supported, and connected to local leadership and meaningful opportunities.