NJCU Foundation Board Announces New Members

Carlos Lejnieks, Margaret M. Columbia-Walsh, and Robert P. Antonicello have been appointed to the NJCU Foundation Board of Directors at New Jersey City University.

“We are delighted that Meg Columbia-Walsh, Bob Antonicello, and Carlos Lejnieks have agreed to bring their considerable talents to the NJCU Foundation Board. Their individual abilities, personal successes and visionary leadership will be critical to the Board’s continued success in expanding its philanthropic goals,” said Peter Hernandez, Board Vice Chair.

Mr. Lejnieks is President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Under his leadership, which began in April 2008, the organization has grown from serving 100 youth to more than 1,100.

Mr. Lejnieks received the University’s inaugural Presidential Medallion at the May 2014 Commencement. His awards and honors also include receiving the American Conference on Diversity, Essex County Chapter, Outstanding Social Justice Leaders Award.

Ms. Columbia-Walsh is CEO and Co-Founder of Wylei, Inc., a Jersey City-based company that uses artificial intelligence for digital marketing. Prior to her work at Wylei, Ms. Columbia-Walsh founded three companies – CBSHealthwatch, Oncology.com, and Inverse Mobile.

Her civic and professional affiliations include serving on the Board of Directors for LPAC, a lesbian political action committee, the Board of Directors for Children of Domestic Violence, and the Board of Directors for Healthy Women.

Mr. Antonicello has been a prominent figure in Jersey City real estate for several decades. He formerly served as the Executive Director of the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency. His current company, Grid Real Estate, continues his involvement in the Jersey City real estate market.

Mr. Antonicello has also taught real estate courses as an adjunct professor at NJCU.

About the NJCU Foundation

NJCU is wholly dedicated to offering the best, most affordable education to its students, as well as state-of-the-art facilities and campus amenities that augment learning and support personal development. Philanthropic giving is key to making this happen. The NJCU Foundation Board of Directors empowers this work by guiding philanthropic endeavors and serving as ambassadors for NJCU.

The NJCU Foundation’s mission is to support the University as it evolves into a nationally recognized leader in urban public education, while maintaining its commitment to transforming the lives and livelihoods of its diverse student community.