Staff

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  Peter J. O’Connor

  Founder, Executive Director

  Peter O’Connor is a longtime civil rights activist and co-counsel in the historic Mount Laurel litigation, which ruled that every municipality in New Jersey must plan, zone and take measures to provide its “fair share” of the region’s need for affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. He founded FSHD to fully implement the settlement agreement in the Mount Laurel litigation with housing that would reach the very poor. Peter’s work as a nonprofit developer dates back to the 1970s when he worked with the Carpenters Union of South Jersey on several other projects that are now owned and managed by FSHD. Peter also serves executive director of the Fair Share Housing Center, a public interest law firm that is NJ’s lead organization fighting for the rights of the low-income families to live in high-opportunity neighborhoods with decent jobs and good schools. View Peter’s full bio.

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  Deborah DelGrande

  Director, Property Management

  Deb has been with FSHD since its inception in 1986, although her work with Peter O’Connor dates back thirty-plus years. As a Certified Property Manger, Deb oversees management at FSHD projects and is the on-site manager at Ethel R. Lawrence Homes in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Deb approves construction materials, appliances, hardware, and landscaping plans for all of FSHD’s developments. She also oversaw the design and furnishings for the FSHD Management Building in Mount Laurel Township, and for Northgate II’s social services office and community center. Deb is Peter’s chief lieutenant and top advisor for all FSHD business.

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  Marie Melendez

  Director, Finance

  Marie has been with FSHD since December 2003. As the chief accountant, she interfaces with all of FSHD’s property managers and leasing agents to assist them with financial issues, and she oversees the financial record-keeping and reports at all FSHD projects. Prior to serving as the Finance Director, Marie worked on payables and payroll but she also facilitated purchasing, employee benefits, and maintained the financial records on all predevelopment expenditures. Marie has an Associates Degree from Delaware Tech. Her previous jobs include work as an accountant for State of Delaware, Division of Air and Waste Management.

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  Denise Kawailani Barricklow

  Director, Fundraising and Communications

  Denise Barricklow joined FSHD in 2008 as Director of Fundraising. Denise is in charge of corporate, individual and foundation fundraising as well as all marketing and communications. She is responsible for FSHD’s website, e-marketing and all other communications materials. A graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University, Denise has worked for the United Nations, UNICEF USA, the Ford Foundation, Princeton University, NJ Future and PlanSmart NJ. She began her career as a journalist and her writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Star-Ledger, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Reuters, Condé Nast Traveler, Billboard, Spy, Newsday, and The New York Observer.

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  Cindy Haas

  Director, Margaret Donnelly O’Connor Education Center at Ethel R. Lawrence Homes

  Since June 2005, Cindy has facilitated the educational programs at Ethel R. Lawrence Homes with the support of a full-time Jesuit Volunteer and teen mentors. Prior to joining FSHD, Cindy taught Pre-K and summer program for a private learning center and substituted for numerous years in a K-12 school district. Cindy holds a BA with high honors in Sociology and Early Elementary Childhood Education from Rowan University.