Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Shaylynn M. Bivens is deeply committed to advocacy, equity, and public service. She brings extensive legislative and policy experience, having served as Chief of Staff and Director of Constituent Services in the office of Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter. In these roles, she led initiatives addressing racial equity, public health, education, […]
Staff Categories: Policy
Keith Hadad
In 2024, Keith Hadad joined ACNJ as their Staff Writer. Keith supports the organization by composing everything from donor letters to blog posts, policy briefs and more. Keith comes to ACNJ with over 10 years of experience in communications and writing. He’s written for several publications, includingElmore Magazine, Smithsonian Folkways’ Guest Blog, The Terroscopaedia, etc. […]
Michelle Lamendola
Michelle is an education attorney with the KidLaw Resource Center at ACNJ. She counsels families on a wide range of education matters including special education and related services, the IDEA, Section 504 accommodations, student discipline and expulsion, attendance, and bullying and harassment. Michelle helps parents advocate for their children by explaining their legal rights, reviewing school records, […]
Nina Peckman
Nina Peckman works for ACNJ’s KidLaw Resource Center as a staff attorney, specializing in all aspects of education law and, as a member of the special education practitioners workgroup and the education law committee of the New Jersey Bar Association, takes part in education policy agendas. Fluent in Spanish and English, she primarily assists parents […]
Alena Siddiqui
As Data Analyst, Alena is responsible for collecting, analyzing and organizing state, county, and city level data relating to the well-being of New Jersey’s children for ACNJ’s Kids Count publications. She earned a Master of Public Informatics degree with a concentration in environmental and health-use planning from Rutgers University. While in graduate school, Alena worked […]
