About Us
Mission Statement
Teen Impact Jersey Coast (TIJC) is a group of passionate young women committed to making a difference in our community by giving grants to local charities and non-profits focused on youths in need.
Our Goals
We have chosen to focus on helping youth because our members are all in high school.
By investing in young people, we are not just helping these individuals’ present days, but their futures. Our goal is to create a ripple effect of positivity in our community, empowering youth to thrive in their societies. This drives us to give grants to local charities and non-profits that share our focus on supporting youths in need.
Impact 100 Jersey Coast has supported the growth of TIJC, and provided us with the tools we have needed to become a group. Both of our nonprofits promote the overall idea of building a stronger, more compassionate community for everyone. Through each member’s small contribution, a large and powerful impact is made.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Executive Board Members
Cate Donnelly
Hi! My name is Cate Donnelly and I am the Co-President of TIJC. I am a senior at Trinity Hall. I chose to get involved with Teen Impact because I wanted to become more involved in my community and make a meaningful difference alongside other young women. Being a part of TIJC has shown me how much of an impact we can make when we come together and work toward a shared goal. I love connecting with our members, planning events, and seeing our ideas turn into real change in our community. I hope to continue growing Teen Impact and inspire more girls to get involved and experience how rewarding it is to give back!
Phoebe Swiss
Hi! My name is Phoebe Swiss, I am a rising senior at MAST, and I will be serving as Co-President for the 2026-2027 cycle. I volunteer with Teen Impact to learn more about nonprofits and ways to help those in need in my community. Through TIJC, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be a philanthropist and how important it is to give back to my community. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside young women who share my passion for helping others and supporting those in need.
Brie Haverstick
Hi! My name is Brie Haverstick, and I am a senior at Trinity Hall. I will be serving as TIJC Vice President this year! I joined Teen Impact because I wanted to make a visible impact in my community and have a chance to connect with other charitable teens. I have loved being able to learn about and build connections with nonprofit organizations in our area. I am so grateful for my new experiences through Impact and for my incredible relationships with other Impact members. It has been a privilege to serve on the Grants Committee for the past two years, and I can’t wait to further my involvement this year!
2026 Leadership Team
Meet Our Founding Members
Lilee Martinelle, Tatiana Miele-DiFabio, Nina Virani, Olivia Youdelman, Whitney Hobson, Amelie Munger, Alana Rodriguez, Mia Missig, Jessie Martinelle, Malia Russoman (not pictured: Ella Peoples, Marina Jones)
Lilee Martinelle
My name is Lilee Martinelle. I am a student at Rumson Fair Haven High School, I play varsity softball and swimming. I chose to found Teen Impact because we have the ability to use the resources around us to help people in need, and give back to the community that has helped nurture us, and helped us thrive as the young women we are today.
Marina Jones
My name is Marina Jones, I go to Rumson-Fair Haven High School and I am also a competitive dancer. I chose to found Teen Impact Jersey Coast because I want to benefit my society and connect with others who may feel the same.
Whitney Hobson
My name is Whitney Hobson, I am a student at Trinity Hall and I play competitive basketball. I chose to participate in the making of JCTI because I wanted to make a positive change in my community and be able to support and provide for local groups in need.
Tatiana Miele-DiFabio
Hi, I'm Tatiana Miele-DiFabio. I go to Holmdel High School, and I run cross country and track. I became a part of Impact because a friend of mine told me about it, and it sounded like a really great opportunity. I really want to be able to make a change and this seemed like a really great way to connect with my peers with the same goals.
Alana Rodriguez
My name is Alana Rodriguez. I am 16 years old, a competitive dancer, and a student at Point Pleasant Boro High School. I chose to be a part of Teen Impact because I wanted to create a lasting positive influence on my community.
Malia Russoman
My name is Malia Russoman. I am a student at Point Boro High School and I dance at the Susten Dance Collective. I chose to found Teen Impact Jersey Coast because I wanted to be involved in making a difference in the world and I want to help others.