J. Michael Nolan, Jr. - Founder and President

Since founding Kids Corporation with his wife in 1971, Mr. Nolan has become a passionate advocate for the children of Newark and a leader in educational reform initiatives.  His efforts have included the development of a network of after-school and summer academic programs that benefit children throughout the City and the implementation of the Schools of Promise Initiative in Newark to focus community-wide attention on the delivery of fundamental resources to children.  In 2000-01, he co-chaired Governor McGreevey’s Department of Education Transition Team. 

Mr. Nolan retired from Lowenstein Sandler, New Jersey’s second largest law firm, where he was a prominent trial attorney serving in the Litigation Department.  Over the course of his distinguished career, Mr. Nolan served as Assistant Prosecutor in Essex County and as Special Counsel designated by the New Jersey Supreme Court to seek the removal of a judge.  Mr. Nolan has been honored for his philanthropic work many times, including the Prudential Prize for Non-Profit Leadership 1993, the University of Notre Dame Exemplar Award 1999, St. Benedict’s Academy Community Service Award 2000, Local Heroes Award from Bank of America 2004, and most recently, shared the Humanitarian Award from the American Conference on Diversity with his wife and co-founder, Kathleen.

Kathleen Murray-Nolan - Founder and Vice President

Mrs. Murray-Nolan co-founded Kids Corporation with her husband Michael in 1971, just one step in a lifetime of dedication to social justice and education reform. She has served as Pastoral Minister at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and has volunteered with her local Battered Women's Shelter in addition to raising four children and taking in several foster children.

Known as the "soul" of Kids Corporation, Mrs. Murray-Nolan's responsibilities include program oversight, staff hiring, communal living counseling and staff relations, and special event planning. Her stringent focus on our mission and vision has kept Kids Corporation on track for over 30 years. She has been honored with the Community Service Leader Award from the Newark YMWCA, the Child Advocate Award from Quest Ink, Inc. of Newark, and recently, the Humanitarian Award from the American Conference on Diversity.

Michaela Murray-Nolan - Executive Director

Ms. Murray-Nolan began working at Kids Corporation at the age of 13 and has held almost every job in the organization, serving as a Camp Instructor, the Director of Theatre, Camp Director and Administrative Director.  In the fall of 2002, she joined the full-time staff as Executive Director, with responsibility for the organizations’ budget, evaluation, and staff. In addition she works with the Kids Corporation Board of Trustees on program assessment, fund development, and long-term planning.  As our founders' daughter, she has grown up with the passion and vision of Kids Corporation all her life.  Ms. Murray-Nolan received her B. A. in Film, Television and Theatre from the University of Notre Dame and earned a certificate in Non-Profit Executive Leadership from Rutgers University.

Rumana Bandookwala - Director of Educational Services

Ms. Bandookwala has served as a classroom teacher, vice-principal and director of after-school and summer academic programs in Newark since completion of her Masters in Special Education in 1976. She joined the Kids Corporation staff in 1998, where she manages after-school and summer programs that involve over 4,000 children a year. She has been recognized in Who's Who Among America's Teachers three times.

As the face of Kids Corporation to the Newark community, "Ms. B" has become a trusted friend to thousands of Newark teachers, parents, and children.  Ms. Bandookwala's responsibilities include staff hiring and training, program and resource development, quality assurance, parent referrals, community outreach, and coordinating thousands of educational adventure field trips each year.

Kevin Matthews - Director of Development

Mr. Matthews is a veteran of education and non-profit programs in the New York City area.  He served as executive director of the Double Discovery Center at Columbia University, a youth development department of the undergraduate College, providing after-school tutoring, weekend and summer academic enrichment, mentoring, and college planning.  Mr. Matthews served as President of the Center’s Board of Friends, directed the University’s Upward Bound and Talent Search Programs, and served as a premed and academic advisor.  His community work includes serving as chairman and secretary of the East Harlem Tutorial Program’s Board of Trustees.  He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University.

Avonne Abnathya - Kids After-School Director and Kids Summer School Co-Principal

Ms. Abnathya joined Kids Corporation in 2007 to become the Director of our New Jersey After 3-sponsored Kids School at Lady Liberty Academy Charter School.  She also serves as the Co-Principal of the summer school alongside 15-year veteran Linda Giles-Williams, and in total is responsible for the education, character and well-being of over 250 students.  Ms. Abnathya is a certified P3 teacher in NJ, and has previously worked as a teacher, educational specialist and supervisor at some of NJ's best community organizations.  She received her BA from Rutgers University (NB) with a double major in American History and Journalism and is pursuing her Masters in Education at Kean University.

Antoinette Wood - Director of Healthcare Services

Ms. Wood is another veteran Kids Corporation staff member, who has previously served as a Kids Camp Instructor, Mountain Classroom Instructor, and Health Clinic manager residing at Kids Camp year-round.  Now, as the full-time Director of Healthcare Services in the Newark office, Ms. Wood arranges free medical care for our students, including appointments and travel; interfaces with local medical providers; assists families with medical insurance enrollment; and manages community-based identification and enrollment of uninsured children in Newark.  Ms. Wood is a native of Newark and attended Rutgers University as an English major.

Joe Tighe - Kids Camp Programs Director

Mr. Tighe began his career at Kids Corporation as a volunteer who quickly became an indispensable member of the staff, serving as Nature Director and Mountain Classroom Instructor before becoming the Camp Director in 2006.  "Mr. Joe", as he is known to thousands of Newark's kids, is responsible for overseeing the year-round operations of Kids Camp for both Mountain Classroom (Sept-May) and Kids Summer Camp (June-Aug), maintaining the 120 acres of facilities, hiring and supervising 30 instructors, and ensuring the learning and safety of 4,500 visiting students each year.  Mr. Joe earned his BA in Philosophy at Fordham University and regularly attends workshops in environmental conservation, experiential learning and sustainable living practices.  He is also co-chair of Evolve Fest, an annual music and arts festival celebrating the human spirit and all things green.