Board of Directors
Paulette Pera Laurenzi
President and CEO
Prior to starting Spring Lake Hope Foundation in 2016, Ms. Laurenzi was a commercial banking executive in the New York Metropolitan area for over two decades. She worked with companies of all sizes and from all industries in her 21-year tenure. She was named one of New Jersey’s “40 under 40” at the age of 35, and later was recognized by Executive Women of New Jersey in their “Salute to the Policy Makers” for professional achievements and senior leadership. She received a BA from Lafayette College and an MBA in Finance from NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Salvatore Frassetto
Vice President
Having developed over 20 million square feet of commercial real estate projects during his career, Salvatore Frassetto is one of northern New Jersey’s most experienced and successful real estate owners and developers. The beginning of his success started with the Frassetto Construction company, a family business specializing in highway and heavy construction for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Transit, New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Giving back is close to his heart, which is why Sal is proud to be a director of the Spring Lake Hope Foundation.
Kathleen Fuenning Cariddi
Vice President and Secretary
Having lived in New Jersey all of her life, Kathleen has always been devoted to helping children in the local communities. It is this passion which led her to join the Spring Lake Hope Foundation from its beginning. Currently Kathleen serves as a Vice President and as the Board Secretary after having been the Board Treasurer. Kathleen is also a Senior Executive/Global Product Manager at American Express and graduated with an MBA from NYU in Finance and Marketing.
Karen Rutherford
Treasurer
Karen graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2007 with a BS in Accounting, and received her MBA in Taxation from Fordham University. She worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in their tax department for 5+ years specializing in Hedge Fund and Private Equity clients before leaving to work for Renaissance Technologies LLC for another 5+ years. After having her second child, Karen took a break from the workforce to raise her two young girls. Before having children, Karen was an avid traveler who has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. She also ran the NYC Marathon and countless half marathons. Karen currently lives in Franklin Lakes with her two daughters, Ellie and Caroline, and her husband, Dave. She is very excited to serve the Spring Lake Hope Foundation as the Board Treasurer!
Steve Vitale
Regional President, Valley Bank
Steve Vitale is a Regional President of Valley Bank, where he manages a large department of professionals servicing small, mid-sized and specialized businesses.
Steve is passionate about supporting the community through not-for-profits and social organizations. He has been on the Board of Advisors or an active volunteer for the YMCA of Greater New York, Learning Leaders, God’s Love We Deliver, NFTE and Community Options Inc. Steve is an avid martial artist, reader and runner. Steve resides in Marlboro, New Jersey with his wife of 25 years with whom he has two children.