About Us - Higher Up!

Our Mission

Through meaningful summer job and internship placements, Higher Up creates opportunity and provides support for local students to reach their highest potential and purposefully shape their dreams.

Our Founders

Wendy McDade, Executive Director

Wendy has an extensive background in advertising, marketing, business development and volunteerism in Philadelphia, London and Princeton. She, her husband Jim and sons Will and Jack have called Hightstown their home for the past 20 years. She passionately believes in the unlimited potential of students in the East Windsor Regional School District and shares a sense of advocacy for their success with her Higher Up Co-Founder Rosa.

Rosa Prada-Rodriguez, Director of Program Development

Rosa moved to the East Windsor area 20 years ago and raised four children whom she proudly calls her biggest accomplishments. Her background includes case management and local community outreach.

Twelve years ago, while employed in data collection for a research company, Rosa encountered a life-changing phone call pertaining to a person in need that moved her to consider how she could invest in her community directly, efficiently and effectively. Becoming a strong advocate for the underserved and underrepresented has become a lifelong passion.

Our Staff and Volunteers

Eileen Luma, Bookkeeper

Eileen comes to Higher Up from a rewarding career in accounting, bringing her love of numbers and expertise gained over decades of keeping books for organizations including Local 54, the union that represents Atlantic City casino hotel and restaurant employees. She and her late husband Jeff raised their family in Vineland, NJ. She now lives in Hightstown, where she can be found playing pickleball or walking her dog, Chewie — just blocks from her two daughters and one county over from her son and grandchildren.

Susannah Hollister, Director of Operations

Susannah loves collaborating with creative people on big, ambitious projects. With a background in higher education and the arts, she brings experience working with students in and beyond the classroom to help them discover their interests and pursue the futures they want for themselves. She and her family feel lucky to have landed in Hightstown, where they have lived since 2018, and where she has one child in the East Windsor Regional School District.

Sarah Pooley, Manager of Program Development

Sarah comes from a background in nonprofit program development and management, predominately serving organizations in New York and New Jersey. Sarah has facilitated a wide array of youth leadership programs, and she values the opportunity to create meaningful and impactful experiences for young people in our area. Born and raised in Central Jersey, Sarah is excited to connect with local businesses and contribute to economic growth within the region. Sarah lives in East Windsor with her husband and young daughter.

Jacob Rodriguez, Student Liaison

Jacob Rodriguez (a.k.a Jake Ortiz) is a 23-year-old Latino singer and songwriter known for their vibrant stage presence and unique style. Blending urban trends with modern elegance, they incorporate signature star motifs into their looks, creating a recognizable and memorable image. Drawing inspiration from artists like Dua Lipa and The Weeknd, Jacob crafts music that combines edgy rhythms and captivating lyrics. As a student liaison for Higher Up, Jacob brings a passion for connecting with peers and fostering meaningful relationships. Jacob is committed to empowering young voices, advocating for the students' future, and creating opportunities for meaningful student engagement.

Our Professional Advisory Committee Members

James Geary, Chief of Police (Ret.) East Windsor Township Police Department

Chief Geary served with the East Windsor Township Police Department from July of 1995 until his retirement in October of 2022. He has over 30 years of public safety, security, and emergency management experience and remains actively engaged in the public safety & security environment as a Senior Public Safety Consultant with IXP Corporation and within the Department of Public safety at Princeton University.

More About Chief Geary

Chief Geary has vast experience in government planning, policy analysis and development, capital purchasing, finance, and recruitment. His formal education is in criminal justice, public administration, and emergency management. He graduated from the distinguished West Point Command and Leadership Program and during his tenure he achieved designation as an Accredited Chief Executive. Chief Geary has been involved in all facets of emergency management operations and administration and served as East Windsor Township’s Emergency Management Coordinator, where he garnered experience in hazard mitigation, risk management, community resiliency planning, and grant writing.

Chief Geary has volunteered as a community youth sports coach in basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and football in the past and previously served on the Executive Board of the Mercer County Police Chief’s Association as well as on the Executive Board of Michael’s Miracles.

Adam Livow, Executive Chef & Manager of Food Services, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen

Come back soon to learn more about Adam!

Clare Lumkong, Director, Global GREW Sustainability, Firmenich

Clare is an experienced leader in building and leading sustainability programs. With over 30-years in the environmental and sustainability field, she has experience integrating continuous improvement and building sustainability programs at both the site and at the global level. She recently joined Firmenich as the GWS Sustainability Director. Previous roles include Corporate Manager of Sustainability with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and various Sustainability, Environment, Health and Safety roles with Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC). She is a long time Hightstown resident and both her children attended Hightstown High School.

Paula Calia Murray, Projects and Operations Manager, AbleTo Inc.

Paula Calia, an accomplished and versatile professional, serves as a dedicated advisor to Higher Up. With a strong academic background and extensive experience across multiple industries, Paula brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to the organization's mission.

More About Paula

Paula obtained her Master's Degree in Mathematics from New York University, a testament to her dedication to academic excellence and analytical thinking. Her academic foundation has been the cornerstone of her successful career, which has spanned various corporate roles in the pharmaceutical, financial services, and insurance industries. Her diverse corporate experience has honed her skills in strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership.

In addition to her corporate achievements, Paula has been a steadfast advocate for education. For over seven years, she has served as an adjunct math instructor at a community college, where she has passionately nurtured the mathematical talents of countless students. Paula's commitment to education underscores her belief in the transformative power of knowledge and the importance of nurturing the next generation of leaders.

Currently, Paula holds the position of Senior Manager for the People and Culture team at an organization dedicated to providing high-quality, evidence-based, virtual mental health care. Her role in this organization is a testament to her commitment to making a difference in the mental health space. Paula is a tireless advocate for mental health, leveraging her corporate experience and educational background to support initiatives that promote mental well-being.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Paula enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and two pups, reflecting her belief in the importance of work-life balance and holistic well-being.

David Roe, Director of Student Services, East Windsor Regional School District

Dave holds the position of Director of Student Services at the East Windsor Regional School District, bringing with him 17 years of diverse experience in the public education system. His varied roles have included those of a school psychologist, supervisor, and principal. Before his career in education, Dave worked as a counselor specializing in substance abuse and traumatic brain injury. He is an alumnus of the University of Scranton, Kean University, and William Paterson University.

Carol Tegen, Director of Operations, Tuolumne Management

Carol has been a Hightstown resident for more than 20 years. She has served as a PTO member at Grace Norton Roger’s School and a board member at Rise. Over the last 30 years she has had several management roles at nonprofit organizations including the Open Society Foundations and the Institute International Education. She is excited to bring her project design, implementation, and management experience to the Higher Up Board.

Kathy Zaiser, Vice President of Client Services at Renavatio Healthcare Communications

Kathy Zaiser, a pharmaceutical marketing executive, is Vice President of Client Services at Renavatio Healthcare Communications, where she specializes in commercialization strategy. Having worked in medical marketing and pharmaceutical advertising for more than 30 years, Kathy has worked with many large and mid-sized pharma companies as new drugs move from early development through launch and beyond. These include NJ-based companies such as Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Bristol Myers Squibb, as well as global organization with US affiliates such as Novartis, Roche, Merck KGaA, and Bayer.

More About Kathy

Over the last several years, she has worked primarily on new oncology agents, but her expertise crosses several therapeutic disease state areas. Kathy graduated with a BS in biology and medical technology from the University of Delaware, with continuing education in market and business.

Kathy and her architect husband, David, moved to Hightstown in 1990, settling in an old 1911 bungalow which they have since renovated based on David’s design, and where they raised their son, Adam, who is presently in his senior year at the University of Maryland. The family are long-time members of the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, where Kathy has service as a Deacon. Kathy also served for many years on the Hightstown Borough Board of Health, and for the last several years, has acted as a mentor for the Hightstown High School Robotics team.

Our Stakeholders

East Windsor Regional School District | Mercer County Technical School | East Windsor Township | Borough of Hightstown

Our Partnership with Mercer County and the Summer Youth Jobs Connection

The 2024 Higher Up Readiness Program

Our Community Support

Our Volunteers

Our Vendors

125 South Street, Hightstown NJ 08520 | 609.469.4942 | info@higherupnj.org

Higher Up Opportunities Inc. (DBA Higher Up) is recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Tax Identification Number: 88-4296817

Photography Credit: Chad Barret, Craig Dale