The Hoboken Girl Team

by Jennifer Tripucka September 25, 2014

Jennifer Tripucka

Jen is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of both The Montclair Girl and The Hoboken Girl. Before her media career started at Conde Nast and then full-time at HG + MG, she worked as a public school educator in the Bloomfield Public Schools for 5 years. Jen started the sites to discover the amazing things happening in the North Jersey area and to highlight local businesses. When not shopping small or eating her way through North Jersey, she can usually be found walking her two pups, watching Bravo TV, and ordering takeout with her husband, an Essex County native.

Devin Mahon

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Originally from Holmdel, NJ, Devin made the amazing decision to put down permanent roots in Northern Jersey after years of renting in NYC. With a professional background in finance and public relations, Devin left the corporate world and opened her own franchise business in 2016. A true lover of all things pop culture, she has been known to binge-watch all of her favorite TV shows over and over. When not working, Devin can be found hiking some local NJ trails with her family and pup, enjoying a meal with her closest friends, devouring a delicious piece of cake at home, or dragging her husband shopping at the local HomeGoods.

Jordan and Joelle

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Jordan and Joelle are twins, contributors, and the Volunteer Coordinators of Hoboken Girl — but most of all — true Jersey Girls. The girls moved to Hoboken a few short years after graduating with degrees in Communications from Loyola University. Outside of their 9-5 as senior publishers in NYC, the twins can be found baking cookies (sometimes on TV!), reading the latest books, or walking their Yorkie-Poo, Chica. Like many 20-somethings, Jordan and Joelle are balling on a budget and know how to score the best deals around town.

Amber Veltri

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Amber has been living in Hoboken for almost a decade. She instantly fell in love with the city the first time she visited and knew this was the place she would one day call home. Amber is an Art Director for Broadway Dance Center in NYC, graphic designer, social media guru, photographer, influencer (@Hoboken_Love), and a mom to her favorite muse, Brooks. When she’s not working you can find her at concerts, visiting restaurants and galleries, drinking coffee, and supporting local businesses in Hoboken’s vibrant community.

Hoboken Girl Team

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Jennifer Tripucka

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Jen is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of HobokenGirl.com. With deep entrepreneurial roots in Hudson County — as her grandparents owned textile businesses on Tonnelle Ave in North Bergen dating back to the 50s — she started the site as a Hoboken resident in 2012 to discover the amazing things happening in the area. She's a former digital editor at Conde Nast, and in a 'prior life' — was school counselor in a North Jersey elementary school. She can usually be found shopping at local boutiques, eating an Insta-worthy meal, walking her two pups, or watching Bravo TV and ordering takeout with her husband.

Samantha Impaglia

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A Montclair State journalism graduate, Samantha loves sharing her view of the world through her writing. With roots in Central Jersey and currently residing in North Jersey, she is a true NJ lover. You can find her looking for local coffee shops and places to shop for clothes and new plants. Samantha is an avid hockey fan and experienced in sports media, newspapers, and editing. Aside from her writing, she loves to travel, especially to Disney and beach locales.

Jordan and Joelle Hernandez

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Jordan and Joelle, contributors and the Volunteer Coordinators of Hoboken Girl — and are true Jersey Girls. The twins moved to Hoboken back in 2017 and have loved the Mile Square ever since. Outside of their 9-5 jobs as marketing professionals in NYC, they can be found baking cookies (sometimes on TV!), reading the latest books, trying out a new workout class or walking their Yorkie-Poo, Chica.

Diana Cooper

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After landing her dream job as a reporter for In Touch Weekly and Life & Style Weekly, Diana moved to The Heights in the early 2010s and has been living in Jersey City ever since. She enjoys riding her bike at Lincoln Park and taking fitness classes in the downtown area in her free time. Of course, she loves binging reality TV shows, dining out and grabbing drinks with friends, and traveling to new places. Her work has led her to meet and interview celebrities as well as attend exclusive events and premieres in New York City. But at the end of the day, what she enjoys the most is cuddling up with her adopted kitten, Chloe.

Danielle Lynch

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A Hoboken girl for nearly 10 years, Danielle moved back to the burbs to start a family. She loves the Mile Square and enjoys keeping up with all of the happenings and supporting local businesses. Danielle loves spending time with her boys, trying her hand in the kitchen, and traveling the world.

Yiwei Gu

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Yiwei was born and raised in China. She has lived extensively in Beijing and Hong Kong, before finally settling down in the Hoboken area. Two years ago, she left her job at an investment bank to travel the world and explore her interests, and has since then taken on a few freelancing gigs in career coaching, college admission consulting, and writing. When she is not wandering wildly in the streets of Europe, Asia, or Latin America, she can be found sipping an espresso in one of Hoboken's coffee shops or trying out restaurants in Hoboken and Jersey City area.

Stephanie Spear

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Stephanie Spear is a recent NJ transplant and enjoys exploring all there is to see and do. Within the area, she likes to check out local parks, historical sites, and gardens along with her husband and dog. And of course, sampling all of the best pizza NJ has to offer. She and her husband are from Washington DC and both work for the federal government. Stephanie loves to travel, ski, paddleboard, and spend time with her eight nieces and nephews.

Erica Commisso

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Erica calls Hoboken her adopted home, after moving from Toronto, Canada years ago. She completed her graduate degree from NYU's journalism school last year and now spends her days writing and reading. Her interests include everything from sports to books to fashion, and she falls more and more in love with Hudson County with each passing day.

Yarleen Hernandez

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Yarleen is a proud Jersey girl with Cuban roots. She’s an actor and freelance writer with an affinity for poetry, astrology, and fried plantains. Born in Jersey City and raised in West New York, where she currently resides, this Hudson county native can usually be found with an Americano in hand, or any caffeinated beverage really. A St. Peter’s University alum with a degree in Communication and Media Culture, Yarleen was News Editor of her college newspaper, while also reporting for the Hudson Reporter and The Jersey Journal. When she’s not on stage, enjoying a new hobby {currently rollerskating}, or typing away on her laptop, you can catch her running along the waterfront listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers or exploring NYC galleries.

Danielle Farina

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Danielle is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied English and philosophy. Originally hailing from Roseland, NJ, spending four years in the midwest confirmed what she already knew to be true: there’s no place like home. Danielle is excited to use her love for writing to explore Jersey’s many local legends, both old and new. When she’s not writing, you can find her listening to Taylor Swift, quoting New Girl, or continuing her hunt for the best iced latte.

The Hoboken Girl Team

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Stephanie Brown

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Stephanie recently relocated to Jersey City and immediately felt at home. Since moving, she's been checking out all of the local coffee shops and trivia nights with her husband. Stephanie has a background in nutrition and works as a cooking instructor and freelance writer with a focus on health and lifestyle content. Her ideal Saturday includes a run along the waterfront, doughnuts, a museum visit, and a cocktail to cap it off.

Jean Lee

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Jean is a born and raised Jersey girl, currently calling Jersey City home. After leaving for school in Washington D.C. and a quick stint in Manhattan as a news producer, she just wanted to get back to her NJ roots across the river. As a new dog mom, Jean loves exploring Liberty State Park or walking the streets of Jersey City with her pup Kona, and is always on the hunt for the latest restaurant opening or the hottest new business. When she’s not meandering the streets, you can find her grilling on her roof, sipping rose, and looking out over that beautiful skyline.

Sarah Griesbach

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Sarah Hermes Griesbach lives in a Newport apartment with a Jersey City zip code, just south of the Hoboken Lackawanna Station. She’s a long-time museum educator and culture writer using her location at a crossroads of ferries, trains, subway, light rail, bike, and walking paths to explore this creative hub. Hoboken Girl gives Griesbach an excellent excuse to ask questions and seek answers from the countless creative movers, shakers, and thinkers who populate our vibrant region. She’s ever on the lookout for stories about nature, city-living, and people pushing up toward a better world.

Lauren Alberti

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Lauren is a lifelong Jersey girl, with her roots formed up north in Bergen County. She attended college in upstate New York, where she studied Digital Media Production and sociology. Her passion for media and love for the hustle and bustle brought her back down to the NYC area, and she knew Hoboken was the perfect place to form her new roots. She works in the TV/Film industry and is always on the hunt for good stories. She can often be found taking long walks along the Hoboken waterfront with an iced coffee from Jefferson's in hand.

Eliot Hudson

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Eliot is a second-generation Hobokenite and proud father of two little, third-generation Hobokenites. Eliot graduated from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, with master’s degrees in Modern Literature and Creative Writing. His short stories and poems have appeared in a variety of literary journals and online magazines. You can find Eliot around town playing guitar and drums at open mic nights or with various bands. Check out his music, fiction, and poetry at www.EliotHudson.com or on Instagram @EliotHudson.

Cristina Lombardi

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Cristina is a Jersey girl through and through. Originally from a small town in Essex County, she made the move to Hoboken about 7 years ago and can’t imagine living anywhere else. She has a degree in Food Marketing from Saint Joes in Philly, and has since been pursuing a career in the world of digital marketing and advertising. Outside of work, she loves traveling, cooking, interior design, photography and staying active. You can find her around town, trying new restaurants, coffee shops, soaking up the city views and taking advantage of all that the mile square has to offer.

Evelyn Ibarra

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Evelyn is a born and raised Jersey Girl and is a local influencer (@thefoundrygirljc) in Jersey City. She has a degree in marketing and business from Syracuse University, and currently works freelancing in social media. She has lived in both Hoboken and Jersey City and is very committed to supporting local businesses and being a local resource to all her friends and neighbors. She is an animal lover and claims to know more animals in Jersey City than people (really!). When she is not freelancing, she can be found hanging out with friends at local spots in Bergen-Lafayette and attending social and networking events in Jersey City and Hoboken.

Risha Jagadish

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Originally from India, in search of a place she could call home, Risha finally found her space in Home Sweet Hoboken. She currently works in advertising in New York City and loves to write about mindfulness and positivity. Her happiness lies in her morning routine - catching a sunrise at Maxwell Park, yoga by the pier followed by a hot cup of Joe before kickstarting the day. She equally loves her happy hours and can be found sipping a beer (or a few more) around the local spots. Her guilty pleasure is Garlic Naan and a big bowl of frozen yogurt enjoyed by the skyline.

Matthew Cunningham

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Matthew Cunningham covers local stories on LGBTQ life, city council, local business, inequality, and science. Born in Arkansas, Matthew is a student at Stevens Institute of Technology and a proud gay Hoboken resident. When he isn't dashing to a zoning board meeting or interviewing lawmakers, he enjoys exploring restaurants on Washington Street, scootering on Frank Sinatra Drive, and getting a taste of the big city life.

Bertha Solis

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Bertha grew up in Jersey City — where has spent her entire life. She has a B.A. in Journalism and Media Studies with a minor in Theater from Rutgers University-Newark. In her spare time, she likes creating content for her social media pages, going to Broadway shows, spending time with her golden retriever Gizmo, listening to Harry Styles, and trying out new food spots in the area. You can follow her day-to-day content through her Instagram, @simplyberthaxo.

Heather Rafanello

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Heather is a Jersey girl, born + raised. She founded Growing Mindset Therapy, where she works to make therapy approachable (maybe even a little fun) + teaches Psychology part time. Heather is a novice plant mom with a passion for (or addiction to) coffee. She lives with her husband + fur-baby (Tortellini) in JC Heights.

Sammi Caramela

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Sammi is a Jersey girl through and through. She's lived all across the state and studied creative writing and journalism at Rowan University. Sammi spends her free time hiking, exploring the art and history of her area, and writing at her local cafe. To unwind, Sammi enjoys reading or doing yoga with her little black cat, Poe. Sammi has a ton of friends in Hoboken, so she considers herself a resident by association.

Shayna Conde

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Shayna is a born and raised Jersey Girl (Bergen County, specifically) who’s currently located in Jersey City Heights. After graduating with a Master’s from the American Repertory Theater’s Acting Program at Harvard University in 2017 she became a full-time actor/model in NYC but, after the pandemic hit, she found her way back to her first love: writing. Shayna’s food, wellness, and travel writing have since been featured in Allure, Departures, Well+Good, USA Today, Food52, Stylist Magazine, Greatist, and many more (she’s also working on a memoir). If you want to find her out in the wild then go to Riverview Wines, I promise she’s probably there right now!

Maritza Zuluaga

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Maritza grew up for the better part of her life in Bergen County and now resides in Weehawken after having a stint in Miami and Philadelphia. In 2019, she received her masters in investigative journalism from Florida International University and currently works as an assignment editor for a NYC news outlet. In Maritza's spare time, she enjoys taking cyclebar classes, copious amounts of coffee from local coffee vendors, and meticulously planning her upcoming trips.

Martin Halo

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Martin heads a creative agency developing websites for small businesses and touring musicians based in New York, Nashville, San Francisco and Los Angeles. While not in Hoboken, Martin can be found at a watering hole somewhere on the tiny island of Key West.

Megan Ixim

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Megan is an all-around content creator and creative who centers her work around inclusivity. With two degrees specializing in Marketing and Branding, she has been able to combine her work and passions not only in her professional career but in her personal platform (@msgigggles). A proud Jersey Girl with a diverse background she loves to explore and learn all of the best things Jersey City has to offer. As a self-described foodie, you can catch her at the newest restaurant opening or visiting the local dive bar in town. When she is not working on her businesses, she's exploring the art and people in her local community or petting any and every dog she sees.

Devin Mahon

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Devin made the amazing decision to put down permanent roots in Hoboken after years of renting in NYC. With a professional background in finance and public relations, Devin left the corporate world and opened her own franchise business in 2016, and joined the HG team in 2019. A true lover of all things pop culture, she has been known to binge watch all of her favorite TV shows over and over. When not working, Devin can be found planning her next travel excursion with her family, enjoying a meal with her closest friends, or dragging her husband shopping at the local HomeGoods.

Elizabeth Schedl

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Elizabeth Schedl, the Executive Director of Hudson Pride Center, is a community activist devoted to LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Schedl started her career with Hudson Pride in 2013, previously serving as the Center’s Chief Operations Officer and Deputy Director. Schedl is currently the Chairwoman of the Early Identification of Individuals with HIV/AIDS (EIIHA) Committee and an active member of both the Executive and Minority AIDS Initiative Committees in Hudson County. She is a committee member of both the Municipal Alliance to Combat Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in Jersey City and Union City and also serves as a committee member on both the Hudson County Alliance to End Homelessness and the Human Service Advisory Council. Originally from Princeton, Schedl has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She currently lives in Hudson County, with her wife Francheska and dog Pierre.

Jacqueline Kirby Zonkowski

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Jacqueline moved to the area 10 years ago as a transplant from South Carolina and has been enjoying all of the opportunities and activities in the area ever since. She is a children's book author and runs a marketing and food company with her husband, and lives in Jersey City with their daughter. When she's not traveling, you can find Jacqueline strolling around Hamilton Park, brunching at Sorellina, or enjoying waterfront spicy margs at House of Que.

Jillian

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Jillian is Hoboken Girl's Social Media Assistant. She's a proud Maryland transplant now feeling at home in Hoboken and soaking up all that the "Garden State" has to offer. Since she was young, she dreamt of working in the big apple, but after making the move discovered that the little square mile of Hoboken was the perfect balance of city living with a small, hometown vibe. Her days are spent completely immersed in social media, be it focusing on the latest HG meme or 'gramming pics of her cat. If anyone has a spare Shar Pei puppy, she will happily take it off your hands.

Sabrina Browne

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Sabrina N. Browne is an award-winning PR Executive, women’s advocate, and lifestyle influencer residing in the Mile Square. In 2016, she moved to Hoboken after accepting her position at a global communications agency in Manhattan. By day, she counsels clients in the beauty, finance, and travel sectors. When she’s not in the office, you can find Sabrina sipping Frosé at Pier 13, brunching at Halifax Hoboken, or rooftop hopping across Hudson County. The Belgian-West African beauty believes we should all “see, sip and savor more life” and she exudes this mindset in everything that she does.

Briana Carrill

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Briana was born and raised in Brooklyn, but came to New Jersey for college as she attended Montclair State University and received her B.A. degree in English. Having moved here after graduation, you can find her having brunch at Raymond’s, catching the ferry to see a Broadway show, reading fantasy, watching movies, and baking — though her favorite dessert to bake is chocolate chip cookies.

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Rosaria LoPresti

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Rosaria is a journalist driven by a profound love for writing and finds her inspiration from her ties to North Jersey. From growing up in the area, she proudly identifies as a Jersey girl. With experience in newspapers and magazines, Rosaria channels her creativity into crafting children’s books and indulges in her passions for reading, music, fashion, and traveling the world. During her down time, you’ll catch her playing instruments, exploring new shops in North Jersey, and spending time with family.

Sheryl McCabe

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Hoboken native turned Jersey City resident, Sheryl left for Westchester to attend law school before the magnetic pull of her roots brought her back. After years in the food industry (mostly working in Jersey City), she now partly owns Whisk + Whiskey in Brooklyn. When not working or indulging in her foodie tendencies, she enjoys running in Liberty State Park, practicing yoga, and hanging out with her cat. By day, she works in financial regulatory compliance.

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This is the "wpengine" admin user that our staff uses to gain access to your admin area to provide support and troubleshooting. It can only be accessed by a button in our secure log that auto generates a password and dumps that password after the staff member has logged in. We have taken extreme measures to ensure that our own user is not going to be misused to harm any of our clients sites.

Amber Veltri

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Amber has been living in Hoboken for almost a decade. She instantly fell in love with the city the first time she visited and knew this was the place she would one day call home. Amber is an Art Director for Broadway Dance Center in NYC, graphic designer, social media guru, photographer, influencer (@Hoboken_Love), and a mom to her favorite muse, Brooks. When she's not working you can find her at concerts, visiting restaurants and galleries, drinking coffee, and supporting local businesses in Hoboken's vibrant community.

Francesca DiPisa

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Born and raised in Northern New Jersey, Francesca is a true "Jersey girl" at heart. She has loved exploring her home state since her family has always taken trips to new local shops and Italian restaurants all over North Jersey as well as vacations to Wildwood Crest every summer. When she's not taking the PATH into downtown Manhattan or having photoshoots along the Hudson River with her friends, she can be found reading a romance novel, reviewing the latest films on Letterboxd, or performing at open-mics in the area. You can follow her adventures and music-making on her Instagram @francesca.dipisa

Christina Mastroeni

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Christina Mastroeni Veloso is a born and bred Northern New Jersian. So much so, that if she's giving you directions, it'll likely be based on the nearest parkway exit. Also, her love for Jersey and Taylor Ham knows no bounds. In addition to writing for The Hoboken Girl, Christina is currently a Business Writing Professor at Kean University. Prior to this experience, she held marketing positions for other medium-sized companies/institutions in North Jersey. Christina has experience running her own blog, performing stand-up comedy, and co-hosting a weekly podcast (Two Girls Watch TV) and Youtube Channel (Two Girls Drink Beer). When she's not wearing all these hats, Christina loves a good cup of coffee, enjoys working out, and practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu when she can.

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Via Rutkowski

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After years of bustling through NYC and working in the fashion industry, Via pivoted her career when the pandemic had other plans. From copywriting and social media to PR and TV hosting, Via wore many hats that ultimately helped her identify her passion for storytelling. Now, she gets to admire the NYC skyline from her home in Jersey City where she runs a business of her own. When she’s not writing in a coffee shop or tending to her clients you can find her experimenting with photography and snapping outfit videos outside of some of your favorite local spots.