Meet the NJ Chapter Junior Board

Junior Board General Function:

The New Jersey Chapter Junior Board, established in July 2024, is an advisory body of the NJ Chapter Board of Directors and is responsible for providing feedback and new perspectives on our efforts in Events, Preventative Education, Loss & Healing, and Advocacy. Click here for more information about the Junior Board or to complete an interest form.

Meet the NJ Chapter Junior Board members:

Kaitlyn Burkhardt, Junior Board Member

Kaitlyn is a BS/MPH student concentrating in health policy at George Washington University. Kaitlyn is from Moorestown, New Jersey, and has been working in suicide prevention for 5 years now. Kaitlyn looks forward to bringing new ideas for suicide prevention to New Jersey youth.

Tahira Chaudhary, Junior Board Member

Tahira has been passionate about mental health from a young age. She found herself wanting to contribute more to defeating the mental health stigma and specifically, contributing to the prevention of suicide. Tahira is thrilled to be a part of the junior board and can’t wait for everyone to see what is coming in the upcoming months!

Anna Dolce, Junior Board Member

Anna is a senior at Rutgers University studying psychology and gender studies. In the future, she plans on going to graduate school to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Anna is passionate about educating youth about mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and ways they can focus on their wellbeing. She is grateful and excited to be a part of AFSP NJ’s Junior Board to help her community get involved in mental health awareness! 

Emily Ruzicka, Junior Board Member

Emily is a senior at Hanover Park High School and has been volunteering with the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention for three years now. She is also a representative on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey. In her free time, Emily participates avidly in theatre and vocal productions, including performances to support local mental health programming. She is very passionate about advocating for mental health awareness among youth, and is looking forward to making a difference through this board!

Megan Ruzicka, Junior Board Chair

Megan is a sophomore at Fordham University where she is double majoring in Political Science and Psychology. For the past four years, Megan has had the privilege of being a committee member for the Morris County Out of the Darkness Walk and a Community Ambassador at various events. She is excited to begin her next chapter with AFSP as the Chair of the Junior Board, and working to create an open conversation about mental health and spread hope! 

Hailey Super, Junior Board Member

Hailey became involved with AFSP in 2023 after volunteering for an Out of Darkness Walk with her sister. Her sister suggested they volunteer because that year Hailey had fallen into a deep depression and was very new to the knowledge of what that meant. She became part of this group to help more youth understand they aren’t alone and to share the knowledge and resources they need, understanding that not everyone has the support system as she does. 

Sydney Vilensky, Junior Board Member

Sydney is from Scotch Plains NJ, and is a senior at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. She has been participating in Out of the Darkness Walks with AFSP since 2019, in honor of her uncle. When she is not volunteering, Syndey enjoys spending time with friends and family and loves to read, dance, and listen to music. Syndey values mental health very much and is hoping to make a difference in many people’s lives.