Samantha Heddendorf
Quatra Management Services, Inc.
Medford, NJ
Hope M. Smith, is a native of Newark, New Jersey. She is a graduate of Montclair State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Summa Cum Laude. She received her Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University in 2016 with highest honors. She currently serves as the Business Administrator for the Township of Hillside, where she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the municipality with approximately 250 full-time employees. She is also responsible for the preparation and management of a $46 million budget. Hope has always been known for sharing her heart with others. She tends to offer her knowledge and support to anyone that she feels is being mistreated in their workplace or just everyday living.
Hope fell in love with community service when she was only a teenager. At the age of thirteen she became the first “junior” board member of the Alexander Street Block Association. After completing high school, she began working for Unified Vailsburg Services Organization, a non-profit organization located in Newark, NJ. It was here that Hope earnestly developed a deep passion for community service. She began her career at Unified as a counselor for the school age childcare program.
She was later promoted to the position of director of the program. As her interest increased in serving the public she transferred to the Community Engagement division of the organization as the Assistant Director of Community Organization. It was here that she emerged herself in community service.
During her tenure as the Assistant Director, she worked closely with community residents and the local police department in building coalitions to promote the quality of life for the residents of the Vailsburg section of Newark. Hope soon was able to use her experience and knowledge to obtain employment with the Township of Hillside. She has been a dedicated employee and the face of Hillside for over 25 years. She began her career with the Township in the Clerk’s Office. She worked closely with the governing body and took this as an opportunity to become more familiar with the ins and outs of local government. Hope was never one to just do the job she was tasked to do she always went over and beyond. Each task was a learning opportunity for her. Hope held many positions within the Township before being appointed as the Business Administrator in 2018.
Over the course of her career, she has sat at roundtables with everyday citizens as well as esteemed elected officials, such as Congressional Members, US State Senators, Assembly Members and mayors just to name a few. In 2015 Hope had the honor of attending a Mayor’s Conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC where she was able to participate in strategy planning with Mayors from across the Country as well as members of Congress and the Senate. Hope’s love for the community is what has attributed to her successful career with the Township. Hope has a personality unlike any other. No matter where she goes, she finds a way to strike up a conversation with whomever she comes into contact with. She’s always prepared to give a lending hand regardless if it’s a family member, friend or complete stranger. She truly believes in treating everyone with respect.
Hope has always been supportive of Docky D Altruists Corp since the Founder and Executive Director Lori Smith told her about the birth of DDAC in 2016. She was one of the five faces to attend LoLo’s Ugly Tops and Pretty Lips holiday gift drive in 2016. She has worked behind the scenes ever since. With her unconditional love for others and always giving her time to help each DDAC event become a success as well as promoting the mission of the organization, Hope was voted in as Chairwoman of DDAC for the past 2 years. Hope brings an abundance of energy, loyalty, dedication, knowledge and commitment to help with DDAC’s purpose of putting a smile on others face.
Quatra Management Services, Inc.
Medford, NJ
Hope M. Smith, is a native of Newark, New Jersey. She is a graduate of Montclair State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Summa Cum Laude. She received her Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University in 2016 with highest honors. She currently serves as the Business Administrator for the Township of Hillside, where she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the municipality with approximately 250 full-time employees. She is also responsible for the preparation and management of a $46 million budget. Hope has always been known for sharing her heart with others. She tends to offer her knowledge and support to anyone that she feels is being mistreated in their workplace or just everyday living.
Hope fell in love with community service when she was only a teenager. At the age of thirteen she became the first “junior” board member of the Alexander Street Block Association. After completing high school, she began working for Unified Vailsburg Services Organization, a non-profit organization located in Newark, NJ. It was here that Hope earnestly developed a deep passion for community service. She began her career at Unified as a counselor for the school age childcare program.
She was later promoted to the position of director of the program. As her interest increased in serving the public she transferred to the Community Engagement division of the organization as the Assistant Director of Community Organization. It was here that she emerged herself in community service.
During her tenure as the Assistant Director, she worked closely with community residents and the local police department in building coalitions to promote the quality of life for the residents of the Vailsburg section of Newark. Hope soon was able to use her experience and knowledge to obtain employment with the Township of Hillside. She has been a dedicated employee and the face of Hillside for over 25 years. She began her career with the Township in the Clerk’s Office. She worked closely with the governing body and took this as an opportunity to become more familiar with the ins and outs of local government. Hope was never one to just do the job she was tasked to do she always went over and beyond. Each task was a learning opportunity for her. Hope held many positions within the Township before being appointed as the Business Administrator in 2018.
Over the course of her career, she has sat at roundtables with everyday citizens as well as esteemed elected officials, such as Congressional Members, US State Senators, Assembly Members and mayors just to name a few. In 2015 Hope had the honor of attending a Mayor’s Conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC where she was able to participate in strategy planning with Mayors from across the Country as well as members of Congress and the Senate. Hope’s love for the community is what has attributed to her successful career with the Township. Hope has a personality unlike any other. No matter where she goes, she finds a way to strike up a conversation with whomever she comes into contact with. She’s always prepared to give a lending hand regardless if it’s a family member, friend or complete stranger. She truly believes in treating everyone with respect.
Hope has always been supportive of Docky D Altruists Corp since the Founder and Executive Director Lori Smith told her about the birth of DDAC in 2016. She was one of the five faces to attend LoLo’s Ugly Tops and Pretty Lips holiday gift drive in 2016. She has worked behind the scenes ever since. With her unconditional love for others and always giving her time to help each DDAC event become a success as well as promoting the mission of the organization, Hope was voted in as Chairwoman of DDAC for the past 2 years. Hope brings an abundance of energy, loyalty, dedication, knowledge and commitment to help with DDAC’s purpose of putting a smile on others face.