Jennifer Tripucka
Jen is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Local Girl Media Group. With deep entrepreneurial roots in Hudson County — as her grandparents owned textile businesses on Tonnelle Ave in North Bergen dating back to the 50s — she started the site as a Hoboken resident in 2012 to discover the amazing things happening in the area. She's a former digital editor at Conde Nast, and in a 'prior life' — was school counselor in a North Jersey elementary school. She can usually be found shopping at local boutiques, eating an Insta-worthy meal, walking her two pups, or watching Bravo TV and ordering takeout with her husband.
Joelle Hernandez
Joelle Hernandez is the Director of Marketing at The Local Girl Media and a proud Hoboken resident since January 2017. A 2014 honors graduate of Loyola University Maryland, she holds a B.A. in Journalism and Advertising. Since making Hoboken home, Joelle has immersed herself in the local community—joining various volunteer efforts and even launching a small business with her sister, Jordan, called Double Dough. When she’s not working, you can find her trying out new desserts or testing out the latest fitness classes in town.
Jordan Hernandez
Jordan Hernandez has been a proud Hoboken resident since January 2017. She dove head first into the local community immediately joining various volunteer efforts, countless workout classes, and contributing to HG all within the first few months. Since the start of her time in town she has launched a small business with her twin sister Joelle called Double Dough and a local book community called Completely Booked. When she’s not working, you can find her reading a good book, trying a new dessert, running along the waterfront, or stopping to say hi to every dog she passes.
Amber Veltri
Amber has been living in Hoboken for over a decade. She instantly fell in love with the city the first time she visited and knew this was the place she would one day call home. Amber is an Art Director for Broadway Dance Center in NYC, graphic designer, social media guru, photographer, influencer (@Hoboken_Love), and a mom to her favorite muse, Brooks. When she's not working you can find her at concerts, visiting restaurants and galleries, drinking coffee, and supporting local businesses in Hoboken's vibrant community.
Samantha Impaglia
Samantha is a Montclair State graduate, where she studied television, digital media, + sports journalism. She loves sharing her view of the world through her writing, and has covered everything from professional ice hockey and volleyball to travel destinations and new restaurants. With roots in Central Jersey and currently residing in North Jersey, she is a true NJ lover. You can find her searching for local coffee shops, places to shop for clothes and new plants, watching hockey, or planning her next Disney World trip.
Stephanie Spear
Stephanie Spear is the Deputy Editor for The Local Girl Media Group. Stephanie has a background in public policy, working for nearly 20 years in and around the federal government and is a licensed attorney. She has an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Richmond and a juris doctorate from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Danielle Lynch
A Hoboken girl for nearly 10 years, Danielle moved back to the burbs to start a family. She loves the Mile Square and enjoys keeping up with all of the happenings and supporting local businesses. Danielle loves spending time with her boys, trying her hand in the kitchen, and traveling the world.
Danielle Farina
Danielle is a Hoboken resident and graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied English and philosophy. Originally hailing from Roseland, NJ, spending four years in the midwest confirmed what she already knew to be true: there’s no place like home. Danielle is excited to use her love for writing to explore Jersey’s many local legends, both old and new. When she’s not writing, you can find her listening to Taylor Swift, quoting New Girl, or continuing her hunt for the best iced latte.
Lauren Rivera
Lauren is a Jersey Girl in every way — originally from Weehawken, she's been a North Jersey resident her whole life. She is an alumnus from Montclair State University, where she studied English. Aside from her journalistic pursuits, Lauren is a fiction writer. When she’s not writing, you can find her sipping matcha lattes at local cafes, hunting for gems in thrift stores, or diving into her book of the month.
Via Rutkowski
After years of bustling through NYC and working in the fashion industry, Via pivoted her career when the pandemic had other plans. From copywriting and social media to PR and TV hosting, Via wore many hats that ultimately helped her identify her passion for storytelling. Now, she gets to admire the NYC skyline from her home in Jersey City where she runs a business of her own. When she’s not writing in a coffee shop or tending to her clients you can find her experimenting with photography and snapping outfit videos outside of some of your favorite local spots.
Erin Lanahan
Erin is a North Jersey girl, born in Mendham and now a resident of Jersey City. She’s back in the Garden State after graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a journalism degree. Formerly a news producer, she now works in social media. When she’s not writing, she loves running along the water at Liberty State Park, eating at different restaurants with friends, and checking out local bands performing around the Tri-state area. Three things Erin’s always ready to chat about: where to get the best Taylor Ham, the Yankees, and finding the perfect pint of Guinness.
Sarah Griesbach
Sarah lives in a Newport apartment with a Jersey City zip code, just south of the Hoboken's Lackawanna Station. She’s a long-time museum educator and culture writer using her location at a crossroads of ferries, trains, subway, light rail, bike, and walking paths to explore this creative hub. Hoboken Girl gives Griesbach an excellent excuse to ask questions and seek answers from the countless creative movers, shakers, and thinkers who populate our vibrant region. She’s ever on the lookout for stories about nature, city-living, and people pushing up toward a better world.
Eliot Hudson
Eliot is a second-generation Hobokenite and proud father of two little, third-generation Hobokenites. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, with master’s degrees in Modern Literature and Creative Writing. His short stories and poems have appeared in a variety of literary journals and online magazines. You can find Eliot around town playing guitar and drums at open mic nights or with various bands.
Kerrie Joyce
Kerrie is a recent graduate from the University of Colorado at Boulder where she studied Political Science + Philosophy. Originally from Long Island, New York, she knows the tri-state area like the back of her hand and has an affinity for city life in Hoboken, Jersey City, + NYC. She first took up journalism in high school and is most content when she is able to use her love of storytelling to stick up for an underdog, be it a sports team, local author, or small business owner. When she isn’t writing she can be found between indie bookstore stacks, listening to a podcast, or in her kitchen experimenting with a new recipe.
Elena Gergis
Elena has lived in Hoboken her whole life. She is a news writer and content creator, most well-known for sharing Latin + Caribbean recipes on her website and social media channels (and focusing on news as a Hoboken BNR). She loves music and fashion, playing with her two babies, and dropping them off at grandma’s house so she can have romantic date nights with her husband.
Carli Clesmere
Carli is an English major turned storyteller who grew up in North Jersey and has found her latest chapters unfolding along the Hudson. She creates everywhere she goes — in her writing, in her community, and anywhere there’s a perfect latte within reach. When she’s not jogging along the Hudson or lost in a Pilates flow, you’ll find her wandering through charming boutiques in search of unique finds, hunting down her next unforgettable bite, or rewatching New Girl. With a personality as big as her love for New Jersey, Carli has a gift for making people feel at home — sharing the hidden gems, the local magic, and the everyday adventures that make life here so good.
Isiah Christie
Isiah is a Hudson County native, with a focus in Communications + News from NJIT. His goal is to educate others about local happenings in what is one of the northeast United States’ most rapidly developing regions.
Lily Flood
Lily is a born and raised Jersey Girl. After graduating from the University of Maryland’s journalism school, she spent a few months in Colorado before deciding that all roads do in fact lead to Jersey, and she’s been in Hoboken ever since. When she’s not writing or commuting to downtown Manhattan for her day job, you can find her running along the waterfront, taking a pilates class or trying a new recipe in her tiny apartment kitchen.
Ellen Webster
Ellen is a writer focused on aging and connection. A Maine native now living in Hoboken with her husband, she is curious about life after 60 and opportunities that emerge. She has spent more than a decade hand-writing 11,000+ thank-you notes for acts of kindness and courage — a project that takes her regularly to Hoboken's 14th Street post office. Join her free Age Buoyantly community at: https://www.ellenwebster.com/
Taylor Dennis
Originally from New York, Taylor Dennis recently moved across the river to call New Jersey home. She studied Creative Writing and Psychology at SUNY New Paltz and is working as a full-time editor in Manhattan. When she’s not working, you can find Taylor hiking all across NJ, sharing the best mountain vistas, exploring her new town, and spending time with her two cats, Edgar Allan Purr and Merlin the Wizard. You can find her dining out at Belo Bar + Kitchen, brunching at The Madison Bar + Grill, taking a stroll through one of Union City’s many parks, grabbing coffee from Roast + C.R.E.A.M, or picnicking along Hoboken’s waterfront.
Emily Gretta
Emily is a Hoboken resident who works in HR at a financial firm in Jersey City. Although she loves her 9-5, Emily loves spending time writing stories about her favorite square mile city. When she is not working, you can find her spending time with family and friends, in the kitchen baking (typically sourdough), taking different workout classes in Hoboken (Impact + Ken Pilates are her fav), or maybe just at home watching Netflix with her roommate.