Our Team

Meet the Board

Amber Watson

Marketing & Brand Strategy

Amber Watson is a seasoned business development and marketing executive, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for women and single mothers. With more than 25 years of experience in strategic partnerships and business growth, she has worked with prominent clients including Johnson & Johnson, Bloomberg, and LexisNexis. As co-founder of Generous Marketing and a Certified AI Consultant, Amber helps businesses embrace innovation, strengthen their brands, and achieve meaningful growth.

Amber brings more than two decades of philanthropic experience in fundraising, community advocacy, women's health, and ovarian cancer awareness. A certified firearms instructor, she is equally passionate about empowering women through education, safety, and confidence. As a single mother to her son, Brady, she understands firsthand the resilience, sacrifices, and determination required to navigate motherhood, career, and life's challenges.

As Vice President of Marketing for the SMART Foundation, Amber is dedicated to expanding awareness, building strategic partnerships, and advancing the foundation's mission to support single mothers and their children. She believes empowering a single mother creates a ripple effect, strengthening families, inspiring future generations, and building stronger communities.

Ann Guzzardi

Volunteer & Engagement Chair

Family, friendship and giving back to the community is who I am. As a mother of 3 grown children, 11 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren I consider my family my greatest joy and blessing.

Being part of the SMART Foundation is especially close to my heart because of my daughter Nicole’s involvement. I have had the privilege of watching her passion for helping single mothers grow and provide hope, support and essential resources to women and their children. I am honored to be a part of her vision.
Community involvement has always been an important part of my life. I serve on the board of the Italian American Senior Social Club and I am actively involved with the golf committee. I enjoy golfing twice a week. When I am not out on the golf course, you can find me enjoying a game of Rummikub, Canasta, or Mahjong with friends.

In my role as a Volunteer Coordinator, I enjoy bringing people together who share a desire to help others. I look forward to connect caring volunteers with a mission that is focused on empowering single mothers and helping them build a stronger future for themselves and their children.

Dana Carney

Secretary

I am proud to serve as Secretary for the SMART Foundation. My journey has always been driven by family and growth; having been a single mother at a young age, I know firsthand the power of resilience and support. Today, I channel that passion into my work with the SMART Foundation. Professionally, I balance dual roles that keep me grounded and sharp—fostering a love for the outdoors as a nature preschool teacher and managing financial details as a part-time law office billing specialist.

My proudest achievement is my family, which has grown to include my four children and two grandchildren. When I am not working or serving the community, you can usually find me spending time with my family and my three beloved dogs.

Danielle Vaphides

Treasurer

Danielle serves as Treasurer on the Board of The S.M.A.R.T. Foundation, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience in technology, business transformation, and organizational strategy. As a Managing Director at Accenture, she is passionate about developing people, creating opportunities, and helping women and families build stronger futures.

A mother of three, Danielle is especially connected to the Foundation’s mission of empowering women and families through practical support, education, and opportunities for greater stability and independence. She brings both her business experience and her commitment to community service to helping The S.M.A.R.T. Foundation grow its impact and serve more families.

Maria Inciardi, MS, CPA.

Development & Fundraising Chair

Maria Inciardi, MS, CPA, serves as Development Chair on the Executive Board of The SMART Foundation. As Chief Financial Officer of Make-A-Wish New Jersey, she brings nearly 20 years of nonprofit finance, governance, and leadership experience to the organization. Throughout her career, Maria has been passionate about building strong organizations, developing sustainable resources, and creating opportunities that help families thrive.


As a single mother of two daughters and a longtime Monmouth County resident, Maria understands firsthand both the challenges and the resilience that define so many single-parent households. Her personal experiences have strengthened her commitment to helping mothers build stability, create opportunity, and pursue brighter futures for themselves and their children.


In her role with The SMART Foundation, Maria helps guide the organization's development and fundraising strategy, working to expand community support, strengthen philanthropic partnerships, and grow sustainable revenue sources. She is passionate about connecting people to purpose, generosity to opportunity, and resources to the families who need them most.

Melissa Cohen

Community Partnerships & Outreach

Melissa Cohen, Esq. serves as the Director of Community Partnerships & Outreach at the SMART Foundation. Melissa brings 25 years of leadership experience to the organization, with a commitment to hard work and strategy. She is a dedicated family law attorney at SeidenFreed LLC, and is a graduate of Seton Hall University (1998) and Seton Hall University School of Law (2001).

After building her career, Melissa has been committed to volunteering and giving back to the community. She serves as an Alumni Mentor at Seton Hall University to current undergraduate students, and volunteers her time teaching a course, Divorce Demystified, at the South Orange Maplewood Adult School.

As a long-term single mother of two daughters, and dedicated working parent, Melissa has lived experience that cause her to empathize and truly understand the community we serve. Melissa is focused on collaborating, and sharing her skills with the entire Board.

In her role with The SMART Foundation, Melissa will organize the Smart Closets. She will be working directly with our school liaisons to ensure the viability of the Smart Closets and to coordinate community outreach. She welcomes outreach from those who wish to donate products or assist with fundraising efforts.

S.M.A.R.T. Foundation is a 501(c)(3)

nonprofit. EIN 99-1257296.

Your gift is tax-deductible.

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