Young Professionals Committee
Brandon Edwards
Brandon Edwards is a native of Essex County, NJ, having lived in Newark, Somerset, East Orange and Orange. Brandon is a product of Catholic education, attending Saint Joseph Elementary School in East Orange and Immaculate Conception in Montclair. He attended Montclair State University where he studied Sociology, Entrepreneurship and Theatre. In college he was involved in the NAACP Executive Board, the Male Leadership Academy, Agents of Change, The Petey Greene Organization, and the Center for Alumni Engagement. Since graduating Brandon worked as an Engagement Center Manager serving nonprofits, a Personal Trainer, a Stretch Therapist and now a Research Analyst for Euromoney Institutional Investors. He enjoys reading, writing, playing sports, hanging out with friends, watching movies, exercising, dancing. and spending time with his girlfriend. Brandon joined SoulPhamm to help young people develop healthy eating and exercise habits. He would also love to eventually put together a hip-hop dance troupe to participate in competitions and travel throughout the US. Brandon's favorite quote is, “Faith is the substance of miracles, the essence of things unseen.”
Gennyka Liebenthal
Gennyka Liebenthal attended Kutztown University and received her Bachelor's degree in Biology Pre-Med with a concentration in Psychology. While in college, she was a member and captain of the women’s soccer team, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as the community service chair, and Student Government. She enjoyed mentoring her peers through her position as a Biology Tutor and Supplemental Instructor where she learned how to adapt different teaching styles to the unique needs of students. She briefly worked on research with professors on the marginalization of biracial students and the parasitic composition of organically farmed pigs at Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania. Currently, she works as a Clinical Care Technician in the Cardiovascular ICU and is in the process of attending medical next year. In her free time, she loves to lift weights, run outside, enjoy nature, take pictures, and read. Gennyka hopes to help the youth understand more about the environment and the sciences while aiding in fostering an environment that encourages curiosity and education.
Emily Shlapak
To Be Provided