Board and Staff
Our Board of Trustees
Dennis Hagen – (Board Member since 2019) Dennis is the Director of Sales and Marketing for a large Japanese corporation and brings his expertise in fundraising to the HV Arts Council. Dennis is part of a classic rock band and enjoys working with young musicians.
Erwin Harbat – (Board Member since 2020) Born and raised in Hopewell Valley, Erwin owned and operated a dairy farm and was the CEO of Agrain, a grain merchandizing operation. He currently owns and manages a real estate management company. Very active in the community, Erwin is a Trustee of the Woosamonsa School House, and was the former VP of the Pennington Business & Professionals Association. Erwin emphasis on the Board is to represent the perspectives of our local Seniors.
Michelle Needham (President and Board Member since 2016) – Michelle is a licensed Realtor with BHHS Fox Roach-Princeton with over 25 years of experience. Michelle is very active in the community as a member of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Pennington Business & Professional Association and serves on the Pennington Economic Development Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission and YMCA Annual TJ Golf Outing.
C.a.Shofed – (Board Member since 2021) Craig is a Fine Arts Photographer and active in his adopted hometown of Trenton, NJ. He serves on many boards that support the artists who work and live within the city’s borders, including Artworks Trenton, and the Trenton Arts Fund Board and was the curator of the BSB Gallery. Craig is currently the Executive Director of Artworks Trenton, and promotes his art through his company Amphora Design, LLC. Craig joined our Board in 2021.
Gail Gendler – (Board Member since 2023) As the founder of Buffalo Girl Productions, Gail focuses on delivering unique content acquisitions licensing deals, programming budgets, as well as editorial and launch strategies for her clients. She is an accomplished corporate veteran with extensive experience in content acquisitions licensing. Gail has held roles at the boutique streaming platform Fandor, AMC Networks/Sundance Channel Global as part of the executive team that launched Sundance Channel globally and at Sundance Channel and IFC Networks on their domestic channels. Gendler started her career at NBC, working on the late-night talk show LATER…with Bob Costas and with NBC’s Olympic Unit at the Sydney, Barcelona and Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.
Former Trustees: Betsy Ackerman+, Liz Bell, Dawn Berman, Elaine Borges, Chad Goerner, Ken Hill, Heidi Kahme, Craig Lieboff, Liza Morehouse, Jennifer Petrino, Bob Prewitt*, Vanessa Sandom, Randi Tengi+, Jennifer Wasserman, Kyle Wille
Our Staff
Carol Lipson – Executive Director+ – As one of the founding members of the Arts Council in 2014, Carol has worked for many years as a volunteer and continues to serve as a Board Member. Her previous professional positions include, vice president of marketing for a high-tech Fortune 500 management consulting firm, and senior partner with a computer timesharing company, as well as a variety of software sales and sales management positions. Carol has also served on the management team of the Philadelphia Flower Show for twenty+ years. Her creative pursuits include mixed media collage, photography, gardening and floral design.
Mary Galioto – PR & Media Consultant – A seasoned public relations professional, Mary is the publisher and founder of a hyperlocal independent online news website. She has a BA in English from Binghamton University and a JD from Seton Hall Law School. Mary also explores a variety of art mediums in particular photography, digital art, and drawing.
Non-Profit Accounting Solutions, LLC (NPAS) – Contracted in 2022, NPAS specialized in accounting services for non-profit and tax-exempt organizations. Formed in 2014 by Ann C. Zawartkay, CPA, CGMA, the firm and its staff are well-versed in the financial reporting and compliance needs specific to various types of tax-exempt organizations. Their expertise includes auditing and assurance, preparation of Form 990, preparation of state charitable registrations and renewals, operational efficiency consulting, internal controls, bookkeeping and financial reporting.
+ Past Board President
* In Remembrance