New Jersey SEEDS Welcomes New Trustee and Director of Development

March 6, 2018 – Newark, NJ –New Jersey SEEDS, a nonprofit that provides educational access to high-achieving, low-income students, announced that Polly Palumbo, Ph.D., joined its Board of Trustees. Kristy Geoghan also joined SEEDS as its Director of Development.

Polly Palumbo, Ph.D., is a research psychologist, parenting author, child advocate, and founder of Momma Data, which was created in 2006 to raise awareness and access to evidenced-based parenting news and information. Previously, Polly worked in private and academic research in both psychology and education.

Polly has co-authored research articles published in leading psychology journals, taught psychology and research methods, and worked with at-risk youth throughout her career. Her writing has appeared in a number of publications, including Psychology Today. In 2014, Polly was named a Social Good Fellow by the United Nations Foundation in recognition of her child advocacy work. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Duke University. 

“I’m excited to welcome Polly to our Board of Trustees,” explains John F. Castano, SEEDS’ Executive Director. “Polly has been a generous supporter and committed volunteer of SEEDS for the past several years. Last year, she served as a member of our 25th Anniversary Benefit Committee and organized a workshop for our Young Scholars. We’re looking forward to her continued contributions.”

Also joining the New Jersey SEEDS team as its Director of Development is Kristy Geoghan. Kristy brings more than 10 years of experience in secondary and higher education development and administration to SEEDS. Previously, Kristy served as Director of Development at Trinity Hall, a new, all-girls college preparatory high school, where she managed a $20 million capital campaign and developed the school’s first annual giving program. Before joining Trinity Hall, Kristy served as the Director of Development at the University of Georgia and the Director of Advancement at Saint John Vianney High School.

Kristy completed her Masters of Arts in education from Saint Peter’s University, and her Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Georgia, where she was a four year starter on the Women’s Soccer Team.

“Kristy brings a wealth of experience in advancement to the SEEDS team,” continues John F. Castano. “She has worked in the education industry for her entire career and I’m happy to welcome her to the SEEDS family. Her expertise and commitment to education will be incredibly helpful as SEEDS looks to its next 25 years of serving students.”

About New Jersey SEEDS

For more than 25 years, New Jersey SEEDS has provided educational access for highly motivated, low-income students and created a viable path for them to achieve their full potential. SEEDS strives for a world in which young people’s initiative, creativity and intellect can flourish without regard to socioeconomic status. Since SEEDS’ founding in 1992, nearly 2,500 scholars have graduated from its programs. For more information, visit www.njseeds.org.