Meet the Board
Theresa Deaver
FOUNDER/PRESIDENTTheresa Deaver has more than 25 years of experience in the Telecommunications and Pharmaceutical Industry. As the founder of the Lillian and Lillian Foundation, this organization was inspired after the brutal murder of Theresa’s mother (Lillian Catherine Leak) and sister (Lillian Katherine Leak) from the hands of her sister’s husband. Theresa’s passion is to prevent and/or reduce acts of Bullying, Teen Dating Violence and Domestic Violence through Education and Awareness. She has also been trained as a Domestic Violence Advocate.
Marguerite Mitchell-Ivey
ADVISOR (FORMER CHAIR)Marguerite Mitchell-Ivey is currently Advisor to the Lillian and Lillian Foundation. She also is Co-Chair of Project Destiny. Midge (nickname) is past Chair of Crossroads Theatre, NJ Pioneers and Regional Pioneers. She is a longstanding resident of Piscataway, NJ after completing her Masters at College of New Jersey in Urban Education. Midge has been recognized for her leadership in Education. She has received the Alpha award which is the highest educational award presented to her by George W. Bush.
Steven Excel Deaver
VICE PRESIDENTSteven Deaver is the co-founder of Kingdom Living International Church. Professionally, he works as a Social Studies Teacher in Newark Public Schools, and serves as an adjunct professor at Kean University and Essex County College.He is certified and active member of Piscataway Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Response Team.“I joined the Lillian and Lillian Foundation because I believe I can make a difference in the lives of school-aged children who are being bullied or victims of teen dating violence.”
Kimo Thomas-Dennis
TREASURERKimo Thomas Dennis has spent her career working in Operations and Technology and is currently employed by a major pharmaceutical company, where she is responsible for managing multi-million dollar budgets. She also oversees a range of projects/processes, including HR Department Strategic Projects and Dashboard Reporting. She is also a CertifiedProject Management Professional (PMP).“I joined the Lillian and Lillian Foundation because I believe in their vision and find it is personally gratifying.”
Danielle Wilson
ATTORNEYDanielle Wilson is an attorney working as a claims analyst reviewing labor and employment litigation claims for a major insurance carrier in New York City. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and leisurely reading. “I joined the Lillian and Lillian Foundation because I have several family members that are survivors of domestic violence and abusive relationships and I want to empower women and men in similar situations to become survivors as well.”
Thomas James
SERGEANT AT ARMSThomas James is Retired Director of the New Jersey State Division of Parole. “One case of abuse is one too many. I am honored to be a part of the Lillian and Lillian Foundation and its fight against domestic abuse. Through advocacy and empowerment, Lillian and Lillian is working to transform victims into survivors.”
Carolyn Canavan
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONCarolyn Canavan has been a Domestic Violence advocate for over 17 years serving on the Piscataway Domestic Violence Response Team. Carolyn has trained over 200 new Domestic Violence Advocates since 2008 which follows the New Jersey State approved curriculum. She has provided insightful workshops to area high schools and various other community based events that seek to provide awareness of Domestic Violence. Carolyn was the recipient of the Lillian and Lillian Foundation’s 2017 Domestic Violence Survivor Award.“The Foundation’s mission aligns perfectly with my desire to give back to my community. I feel fortunate to be a part of such a dynamic organization.”
Troy Long
DIRECTOR OF CELEBRITY ATHLETE OUTREACHTroy Long is a 14 year educator whose entire educational career has been working in areas such as: teaching, supervising and establishing academic programs.In addition to an administrator and spearheading specialty programming for students, he hasworked with NJ EXCEL as an instructor and mentor who supported candidates as they perused their New Jersey Principal and Supervisor Certification. “Seeing high school children mentally and physically abuse each other is what led Troy to want to learn more so he could help guide and support anyone in any domestic situation.”
Steven Mintz
MEMBERActive in the nonprofit sector since 1993 when he formed the William T. Gardner Theatre Internship Fund, Steven is a seasoned financial author and journalist who helped write The Financial Crisis Inquiry Report. He is the author of Five Eminent Contrarians and co-wrote the WNET TV series Beyond Wall Street: The Art of Investing. While an editor at CFO Magazine, he was spurred to seek robust returns on philanthropic investment, a path that led ultimately to high school NGOconnect where academic enrichment meets global citizenship. In 2011, Steven earned a Certificate in Fundraising from New York University by completing a series of professional courses in philanthropy and fundraising.
Judith C. Mosselle
MEMBERIn 2001, Judith taught her first class of students at West Side High School. She also became the Yearbook Advisor and Assistant Football Coach. As Assistant Football coach, the team became state champions and produced many successful players: Tahir Whitehead/NFL Linebacker (Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, and Carolina Panthers), Anthony Baskerville (Associate Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator at East Coast Prep.) just to name a few. Judith has been a major part of the success of the Lillian and Lillian Foundation for several years by designing and printing logos on 150+ t-shirts for our famous stuffed animals, as well as designing programs, flyers and banners. Judith directed and produced the video “Message from the Founder” which is currently on the Lillian and Lillian Website.