About Us

Our Story

A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative

The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium was created by the State of New Jersey in 2018 to address the local news crisis. It emerged from a broad stakeholder coalition led by Free Press, building on prior initiatives by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and Montclair State University's Center for Cooperative Media.

Six public universities partner in this effort: The College of New Jersey, Montclair State University, NJIT, Rowan University, Kean University, and Rutgers University. Montclair State serves as the host institution.

A 16-member Board of Directors governs the Consortium's operations, and state law prevents New Jersey and the Consortium from owning funded projects or exercising editorial control.

Our Mission

The Consortium provides financial resources to support and grow trustworthy, community-based news and information sources throughout New Jersey.

Our Vision

We envision a future in which every person in New Jersey has access to thriving, representative local news and information that enhances their lives and communities.

Our Team

Staff

Lisa Sahulka

Executive Director

Lisa brings decades of experience leading mission-driven organizations. She previously served as COO at The Century Foundation and Southern Poverty Law Center, and as CFO for the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Florida. She has held leadership roles with CARE, Covenant House, and Jacob Riis Settlement House.

Ayinde Merrill

Program Officer

A lifelong Camden resident and activist, Ayinde founded Watu Moja, connecting African American and Afro-Latino young adults to the global African community through arts and service. He holds a bachelor's in Afrikan Studies from Rutgers and a master's in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

Madison McCool

Grants + Communications Manager

Madison provides administrative support for grant work and leads communication efforts for the Consortium, with a background in office management and communications.

Governance

Board of Directors

Our 16-member board includes representatives from partner universities, community organizations, and the public.

Christopher J. Daggett Board Chair, 2025

Molly de Aguiar President, Independence Public Media Foundation

Kevin Belfield Dean, College of Science and Liberal Arts, NJIT

Brian T. Murray Assistant County Administrator, Morris County

Matthew Weber Associate Professor of Communication, Rutgers

Kim Pearson Professor of Journalism and Professional Writing, TCNJ

Carl Hausman Professor of Journalism, Rowan University

Jerome Montes Director of Outreach, Communications and Marketing, NJ Citizen Action

Marisol M. Peron Senior VP Global Investor Relations & Communications, Genmab US

David Wildstein Editor, New Jersey Globe

Mike Rispoli News Voices Program Director, Free Press

Laura Marie Ali Republican Chair of Chairs, State of New Jersey

Robin Wilson-Glover Founding Editor, Mosaic; former Director of Opinion, NJ Advance Media

Therise Edwards President, Teshley Solutions LLC

Audrey Kelly Executive Director, Kean Board of Trustees

Carrie Brown Associate Professor of Journalism, Montclair State University

Partners

Member Universities

Six public universities partner with the Consortium to strengthen local news across New Jersey.

The College of New Jersey

Montclair State University

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Rowan University

Kean University

Rutgers University