top of page
Meet Our Board of Trustees
Lisa Ferguson
Lisa Ferguson joined the JRH Foundation Board of Directors in January 2023. She has been an employee of Johnson & Johnson since 1997 and she currently holds the role of Senior Director, Mergers; Acquisitions. Lisa earned her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of California, San Diego, and her MBA from the University of California, Irvine. Since 2019, Lisa has been a volunteer with CASA where she advocates on behalf of children who are in the custody of the state due to abuse or neglect. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Women Aware, a Middlesex county organization providing services to survivors of domestic violence. When she’s not working or volunteering, Lisa enjoys travel and outdoor activities with her husband and their three children.
Tomika Sommers
Detective Tomika L. Sommers is an 18-year veteran of the Trenton Police Department who joined the academy in 2005. She is also a retired veteran of the U.S. Army/Air Force, where her career started in 1995. She holds an Associates degree in Transportation from the Community College of the Air Force, an Associates degree in Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement) from MCCC, a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and an Executive master’s degree in business administration from the Jack Welch Management Institute. Detective Sommers has served positions in Patrol, as a School Resource Officer, as a detective in the Special Victims Unit, and currently as a detective in the Community Affairs Unit. She played the lead role of Erin Brockovich, who is an American Activist in a James R. Halsey Production. Det. Sommers was a foster child, who returned to the City of Trenton after leaving the system and has been here ever since. Fun Fact: Det. Sommers loves traveling and has visited 23 countries.
Nivedita Candade
Nivedita (Niv) Candade is the founder and principal of Manda Solutions LLC. Manda provides M&A integration and divestiture services for middle market clients. Prior to starting Manda, Niv worked at one of the "Big 4" consulting firms, successfully delivering large business transformations across M&A integration, divestitures, supply chain/procurement and R&D for F500 clients. Niv is passionate about giving back to the community and volunteers her time on programs that benefit the small business, entrepreneur and non-profit community. As a mom of two teens, she is passionate about youth education, enrichment and personal development.
Jabre Miner
Jabre attended Trenton High School where he developed an interest in the visual and performing arts. He took theatre classes there and was introduced to Joseph Halsey, Founder and CEO of the James R. Halsey Foundation of the Arts, by one of his high school instructors in 2017.
“Outside of my small group of family members, Joseph and Ms. Kim at JRH are two people in my life who have never made me feel like a failure. They encouraged me to stay in school and to take college courses when I graduated. They were always willing to listen to me and, with their support, I felt like I couldn’t fail. Today I see them as my family as I work alongside them to mentor younger students in the program. I am enrolled in college theatre classes and still remain focused on my dream of becoming an actor. If it wasn’t for JRH I don’t know where I would be today."
“Outside of my small group of family members, Joseph and Ms. Kim at JRH are two people in my life who have never made me feel like a failure. They encouraged me to stay in school and to take college courses when I graduated. They were always willing to listen to me and, with their support, I felt like I couldn’t fail. Today I see them as my family as I work alongside them to mentor younger students in the program. I am enrolled in college theatre classes and still remain focused on my dream of becoming an actor. If it wasn’t for JRH I don’t know where I would be today."
Ty Robinson
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional and holder of the Certified Exit Planning Advisor® designation Ty and his team focuses on servings Executives, Corporate Leadership, and Business owners with long-term complex estate strategies. Our goal is to understand what's important to the individual clients, business owners & communities we serve in order to improve their lives. Using financial strategies while partnering with our clients other trusted advisors: i.e. CPA, Attorney, Business banker, and Family consultant, we can help determine the most appropriate financial strategy for you, your family and your business. In addition to leading a successful team, Ty serves as the New Jersey representative of the Edward Jones Grassroots Task Force, which is dedicated to making the voice of the individual investor heard on Capitol Hill. The Grassroots Task Force is the securities industry's only volunteer advocacy organization, which is comprised of financial advisors and branch office administrators from all 50 states. Representatives serve as a constituent resource for elected officials and staff to ensure they are well-informed on legislative and regulatory issues impacting individuals' investors. Ty has served clients with knowledge and advice with over two decades of experience. His team understands that client financial needs are complex and specialized which is why they take the process of creating a personalized strategy seriously.
Nicole Haggart
Nicole Haggart joined the JRH Foundation Board of Directors during the summer of 2024. She has been an employee of the NJ Division of Taxation since 2010, currently working in the Gross Income Tax Audit Branch. Nicole earned her undergraduate degree in Business Marketing from The College of New Jersey, and her Masters in Accountancy from Rider University. Since 2021, Nicole has sat on the executive board for Hamilton Township Recreational Baseball Association. When she’s not working or volunteering her time at the baseball field, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys at the beach or pool.
Christopher English
Billie-Jo Stuto
Sugenny Santiago
Honorary Members
Wendy & Jim Halsey
bottom of page