Board of Directors

Marinda Monfilston, President
Yale University

Calvin Price, Treasurer
Liberty Bank, Retired

Ashika Brinkley
Goodwin University

Pamela Ellman
Attorney, Information & Referral service volunteer

Brandi Kennedy
The Village for Families and Children

Our Staff

Janée Woods Weber, Executive Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Janée is an activist, advocate, facilitator and trainer for social justice issues, and a long-time Connecticut resident. Before joining She Leads Justice, Woods Weber served five years as the Director of Organizational Culture for the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund in Hamden, a family philanthropic organization with a focus on achieving equity in education. In that role, she helped imbue antiracist, inclusive values into the Fund’s internal organizational culture and external strategy for working with grantees and community partners. Prior, Woods Weber worked as the Program Director for five years at Everyday Democracy, a national nonprofit in Hartford that helps communities across the country create action around important issues such as food security, community prosperity, immigration, education, and undoing racism.

In 2019, Woods Weber was appointed to the Women’s Policy Committee for the Lamont-Bysiewicz gubernatorial transition, which made recommendations for numerous policies the Governor should implement to uplift women and girls across the state of Connecticut, especially women and girls of color living in poverty.

In May 2021, Woods Weber, with host Alvin Hall, won the inaugural Ambie for Best History Podcast from The Podcast Academy for their acclaimed podcast Driving the Green Book. She currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for PoliticaCT, Co-Chair for the State Committee for the Connecticut Working Families Party, on the Board of Directors for the Greater Hartford Arts Council, and with Training for Change, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit peace group. Woods Weber attended Williams College and Pace University School of Law.

Jeniffer Perez Caraballo, Director of Community Organizing
Pronouns: Them/She

Jeniffer Perez Caraballo is a Hartford-born-and-raised, English-as-a-second-language-speaking, queer, neurodivergent, spiritually inclined Boricua. She has played the role of community organizer, facilitator of transformative conversations, local artist, and Mami. Jen has been mentored and taught by radical BIPOC queer feminists and strives to continue the legacy of support and care in her role of Director of Community Organizing working with people where they are at to be moved to action that creates change. Recently, she has found renewed hope in leading with LOVE thanks to the writings of bell hooks. They currently live in Hartford with their son, dog, bunny, and houseplants.

Nilda Rivera, Director of Community Advocacy
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

When Nilda isn’t dancing to Spanish music, crocheting, or spending time with her seven grandchildren, she travels around the state to empower women during difficult times as the Director of Community Advocacy at She Leads Justice. “Nilda took the time to listen to me when no one else would,” said a She Leads Justice client, “and helped me feel confident to take the next step with my legal challenge.” Described as passionate, empathetic, conscious, and supportive by clients and colleagues, Nilda is most proud of all she has learned from the women she has served over the years.

Along with her support for women, Nilda is our resident “green thumb,” and keeps our plants growing with water, love, and a little encouragement. With more than 15 years of experience in community advocacy, Nilda was an instrumental part of the design and implementation of the Peer Advocacy Program.  She is excited by She Leads Justice’s unique work and for the organization to expand its presence throughout the state so more young women can participate in her services.