Family Profile

Helen is the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and an immigrant from the Philippines.  She and her husband, Greg, have lived in Newton for 25 years.  They have three adult children: a son Jordan, and twin daughters, Madelyn, and Kathryn.

Town of Newton Service

Helen is a three-term elected member of the Newton Town Council.  She has served as Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councilwoman.

Helen previously served as a member of the Planning Board, Commissioner and Chair of the Parking Authority, and Chair of the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission.  She is also an avid supporter of the Town’s volunteer Fire.

Professional Service

For the past 13 years, Helen has been the Vice President, Development for Jersey Battered Women’s Service, Inc. (JBWS).  Before JBWS, Helen was the Executive Director for the March of Dimes, North Jersey Division. As a fundraising professional, Helen has led non-profit organizations to raise millions of dollars to help them carry out their missions.  Prior to her nonprofit career, Helen had a career in the banking and financial services industry.

Volunteer Service and Organizations

A strong supporter of quality education, Helen is the former Chair of the Sussex County Community College Foundation Board of Trustees as well as a former member of the Catholic Academy of Sussex County Board of Trustees.  Helen is also a former Board Member and current Member-at-Large of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, New Jersey Chapter.  Helen is a current member of the Board of Trustees at Loyola Jesuit Center.

Before working for the March of Dimes, Helen served as Chair and Vice Chair of the March of Dimes North Jersey Division Board of Directors, was a member of the New Jersey State Board of Directors and held many other volunteer leadership positions helping the March of Dimes raise money and advance their work in maternal-child health. 

Helen is past President and Vice President of the Home and School Association for St. Joseph Regional School (SJRS).  She also served as Chair and Co-Chair of over 20 fundraising events for SJRS.  Helen also served the parish of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Newton as a Confirmation Program Catechist and teacher of high school students in the process of preparing to make their Sacrament of Confirmation.  She is currently a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Don Bosco Columbiettes.

Helen is a former Head Coach and Assistant Coach for Newton’s youth soccer program.

Awards and Recognition

Helen has received numerous awards and commendations over the years for her work and service, including her nomination by Governor Chris Christie to the New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women.  In 2014, Helen and Greg were the honored at the St. Joseph Regional School Dinner Dance and Auction in recognition of their longtime dedication, commitment, and contributions to the school and Catholic education.  In 2013, Helen was honored at the Boy Scouts of America, Patriots Path Council, Sussex County Tribute to Women Awards Luncheon.  In 2012, she was awarded the New Jersey Herald’s “20 Under 40” award that honors 20 exceptional local business leaders under the age of 40.

Speaking Engagements

Helen has been a panelist or featured speaker at numerous events, most notably at SobelCo.’s Annual Non-Profit Symposiums, The New Jersey Center for Nonprofits Annual Conference, the Morris County Chamber of Commerce’s Non-Profit Roundtable, Investors Savings Bank’s Annual Non-Profit Conference, and Fairleigh Dickinson’s “Politics on the Public Mind” Series.  Helen has also provided testimony numerous times on the issue of domestic violence to both the New Jersey Senate Budget Committee and the New Jersey Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee.  On television, Helen has been featured on Steve Adubato’s State of Affairs & Caucus: NJ and Princeton TV’s Leading Change discussing the issue of domestic violence.  On the radio, Helen has been a guest on WMTR and WCTC.

Educational Background

Helen attended the University of Southern California majoring in Political Science.  She is also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Management Training Program and the Cohen-Brown Management and Sales Training Program.  To continue her education, Helen completed the New Strategies Program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.