meet the team

CHAIR

Amelia is a pelvic floor physiotherapist, graduate professor, and entrepreneur with a strong commitment to wellness, movement, and human connection. She specializes in pelvic health and is passionate about educating future healthcare providers with an emphasis on empathy and whole-person care.

Raised in the South Orange–Maplewood (SOMA) community, Amelia developed a deep appreciation for inclusivity, wellness, and civic engagement. Her work is grounded in the belief that healing begins through meaningful connection — to self, to others, and to community.

VICE-CHAIR

Tatiyana B. Lofton graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.S in Civil Engineering. From starting her corporate career in Steel Foundations to owning a Class 5 Cannabis Business, Tatiyana has developed a passion for entreprenship and community outreach. With previous experience as Tamiouchos for NK chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and being a Realtor with Coldwell Banker, serving as SODT Vice-Chair has presented a special opportunity for Tatiyana’s many worlds to collide.

TREASURER

Sheldon has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics from the NJIT. Along with his sister, Samantha, and father, Ronald, Sheldon took a leap to open THE ORDER. Sheldon built meaningful relationships while serving the community. Just five months after opening, pandemic brought in setbacks but the dedication, perseverance, and support from the South Orange community allowed him to keep THE ORDER going through very difficult times. It was then that Sheldon realized joining the Board was his opportunity to give back and help South Orange become a destination town in NJ!

SECRETARY

Maura grew up in SOMA and has always planned on coming back to settle down as an adult here, which she was so excited to do in 2021! She is a former graduate and former teacher at Clinton Elementary School in Maplewood and is in love with the communities of South Orange and Maplewood. When the opportunity arose for Maura to open her own business, she decided to leave her teaching career in order to bring her love and passion for AIR® Aerial Fitness back to her roots by opening up a studio here in South Orange in April of 2023. The support and love that she received from South Orange Downtown was integral to her business success. It was a no-brainer for Maura to apply to join the board when a spot opened up so she could do her part to give back to the community that built her!

RESIDENT

Victoria Lauture Duncker is a proud South Orange resident! She is the creator and host of the award-nominated New Mommy at 40 Podcast, offering support and insight for parents of advanced maternal age. With a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Miami, Victoria has over two decades of professional experience as an actor, director, and producer. Drawing on her personal journey through infertility and motherhood, she is a sought-after speaker and advocate for all things maternal health, particularly Black maternal mortality and morbidity. Victoria is also the Co-Founder of Toddle Into Language, an international language enrichment program. She is thrilled to have made South Orange home with her dear husband and daughter.

RESIDENT

Brendan Gioello, a longtime South Orange resident, brings experience in finance, social work, and community advocacy to his role as a Resident Director. With a background in nonprofit strategy and stakeholder engagement, he is committed to supporting inclusive growth, fostering local partnerships, and helping downtown South Orange thrive as a vibrant, welcoming hub for all.

BUSINESS OWNER

Sweety grew up in the wilds of Northern California and moved to NYC in the mid 90s. In 2006 he began tattooing and he spent the next 18 years working at shops in NYC. In 2023 he and partner Zoe Bean opened Keepsake Studios, a private tattoo studio in South Orange, where they have also lived since 2015. In addition to tattooing Sweety is also a designer and illustrator with many clients throughout the NYC and South Orange area.

BUSINESS OWNER

Edith Villavicencio is a dedicated member of the South Orange Downtown Board, bringing decades of experience and a deep passion for community building. An immigrant from Mexico, she came to the U.S. at age 12 and later graduated from Brooklyn College. She settled in Maplewood 18 years ago, drawn by the vibrant culture and diversity of the MAPSO area.

With over 20 years in the labor movement, Edith has long advocated for workers' rights and equity. These values guided her transition to entrepreneurship, where she opened Garden of Edith Floral Design, a women- and minority-owned business. She later launched Jus’ Tacos, a traditional Mexican taqueria that celebrates her cultural heritage and connects the community through food.

Edith’s deep affection for South Orange is reflected in her service. The town has embraced her family and businesses, and she’s proud to give back. Two of her children have graduated from the MAPSO school district, and her youngest continues to thrive locally.

On the South Orange Downtown Board, she champions small businesses and inclusive growth. Her lived experiences as an immigrant, business owner, and community advocate give her a valuable perspective as she works to keep South Orange vibrant, welcoming, and diverse.

RESIDENT

A Realtor® with Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty, Rodney is a proud advocate for the South Orange community. As a real estate professional serving Northern New Jersey, he has developed a deep appreciation for the unique character, vibrant downtown and strong sense of community that defines South Orange. He is passionate about promoting the qualities that make South Orange a desirable place to live, work and visit and is committed to supporting initiatives that encourage engagement, economic development and continued growth within the Village.

PROPERTY OWNER

Daniel Garcia-Pedrosa is Managing Director of Pymstone Realty, a real estate investment firm.  Daniel is an owner of two commercial properties in South Orange and has been involved with South Orange Downtown for several years.  His company owns and manages both commercial and residential properties throughout Northern New Jersey.  Daniel is a resident of Montclair and is also on the board on the Montclair Center Business Improvement District. 

PROPERTY OWNER

Claudine Baptiste is a dynamic leader and dedicated community advocate with a longstanding commitment to service and business development. Currently serving as the Relationship Manager and Business Development Officer at BCB Bank—where she has been a valued team member since January 2005—Claudine also holds the title of Cannabis Account Officer Specialist. Her deep expertise in banking and client relationship management has made her a trusted resource across the region.

A proud graduate of Montclair State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, Claudine is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity. Her dedication to community and civic engagement is reflected in her many leadership roles: she sits on the boards of South Orange Downtown and the SOMA Chamber of Commerce, and previously served on the board of SOPAC. She is also an active member of the Senior Advisory Committee.

Claudine is a past President of the Rotary Club of Maplewood and remains an active member today. She is the current Vice President of the South Orange Lions Club and serves as Treasurer of LeTip of Essex. In recognition of her service and impact, she received the Maplewood Chamber Distinguished Service Award in 2019 and the Paul Harris Award in 2025.

Among her many accomplishments, what Claudine is most proud of is being an advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness, a cause close to her heart since her mother’s diagnosis in 2021.

SO PARKING AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVE

Mark is a long time South Orange resident and a seasoned Executive Director with over 20 years’ experience in the Parking and Mobility Industry. As liaison for the South Orange Parking Authority and a passionate advocate for South Orange, Mark brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to the South Orange Downtown organization. With a background in management Mark as held leadership roles in both the private and public sector. The Parking Authority’s strategic vision and commitment intersects nicely with the South Orange Downtown vision. Clean and safe streets, sidewalks and parking facilities and a vibrant downtown are mutual goals. Mark brings a diverse network of departmental and community relationships developed over the years to the table. He joined the South Orange Downtown Board at the beginning and as served on the Executive Committee as the Secretary and the Treasurer. He currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Beautification committee helping to bring public artwork, murals, and sculptures to the forefront of our Downtown. When Mark’ not advocating for the re-imagining.

SHU REPRESENTATIVE

Matthew Borowick '89/MBA '94 was appointed inaugural vice president of the Division of University Relations in November 2020. The division includes the departments of Government Relations and Public Relations and Marketing, responsible for developing compelling communications and working with local, state, and national government officials. After 10 years in the banking industry, including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Borowick joined Seton Hall in 1999. He established the Department of Government Relations, helping to shape higher education legislation and securing over $100 million for university priorities since then. He has served as the presiding officer for the association of Private College and University Alumni Directors (PCUAD), has been a frequent presenter and conference chair for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and has been quoted in CASE Currents and other higher education publications. He has consulted nationally and internationally. Previously, Borowick served as Seton Hall’s interim vice president of the Division of University Advancement with responsibility to lead Seton Hall’s advancement services, alumni relations, development, marketing, communications, and government relations. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and MBA in Finance, both from Seton Hall.

SOPAC REPRESENTATIVE

Lauren is the Director of Marketing & Audience Experience at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and a long-time marketing leader in the region. She brings more than 15 years of award-winning, cross-channel marketing experience, having led major national accounts for brands such as Henkel, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and the New York City Ballet during her time at DDB and Saatchi & Saatchi. A lifelong supporter of the performing arts with a theatre degree from Northwestern University, Lauren is deeply connected to the cultural fabric of our community. As a local resident, she brings both professional expertise and a genuine passion for the arts to her work in South Orange.

VILLAGE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE

Hannah Zollman and her family have loved calling South Orange home since moving here in 2016. She is the Founder and Principal of Mission Driven Consulting and works with nonprofits—including several in SOMA—to build sustainable organizations. Hannah serves as Treasurer of South Orange Downtown, board chair of The Co-Lab, a member of the South Orange Planning Board, and an emeritus board member of the South Mountain YMCA.

DEPUTY VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR

Since 2022 Doran has served as Administrator of South Orange Village, and previously served as Deputy Administrator. Doran brings over 15 years of experience in community engagement, communications, and business development to her role as Administrator for South Orange Village. Doran transitioned into the role of Deputy Administrator after 17 impactful months as Executive Director of the South Orange Village Center Alliance (now South Orange Downtown), where she supported downtown businesses through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. A seasoned professional with a background in communications and marketing, Doran is widely recognized for her commitment to public service and her strong connections with the local business community. Prior to her time in South Orange, she held two business development roles in Maplewood, further cementing her reputation as a dedicated advocate for local commerce. A former 27-year resident of South Orange and Maplewood, Doran remains deeply invested in the community’s future. Her extensive experience and passion for public service make her a vital asset to the Village's leadership team.